Pigliacampo Numana servicing part 2

[keelbolt]

Having listened to advice here and elsewhere, I'm embarking on the re-leathering of my Numana using vinyl / vyleda leathers. I've been in touch with Charlie at CGM Musical Services in Scotland about supply, and have an order in.

I plan to remove the reed plates for re-leathering, and then re-wax them in place. It should give a more professional job than trying to re-leather with the reed plates remaining waxed in their blocks.

There's one other small problem come to light - one of the reed plates is missing - A4 440. Charlie will supply.

I will be so pleased to get this instrument back into playing condition - it's light, easy to play, and just what I need.

I'll keep this thread running for any comments - you folks have been really helpful. Thanks.

KB

 

[JerryPH]

Looking forward to seeing the project progress. Don't forget to add a lot of pictures for us to enjoy!

 

[keelbolt]

Package of Reed Valves, Wax and the one missing reed plate (A440) arrived today, only 8 days from Charlie at CGM Musical Services in Scotland to my apartment in Bangkok! Photos of the package below. The reed valve envelopes were helpfully labeled, but I needed to email Charlie to ask advice on how to proceed. Not exactly cold feet, but rather wanting to draw on his far superior knowledge, and I also needed to understand what the codes on the reed valve envelopes meant!

Charlies advice in a nutshell:

1. Use a blunt knife to prise off the reeds
2. Do one bank at a time and keep them in order and right way up. (Hadnt thought about the right way up. Thanks, Charlie. One error avoided, hopefully.)
3. Scrape off the old wax onto a newspaper and use a soft brush to remove any dust
4. Remove old reed valves and any old glue and wax from reeds.
5. Fit the bottom valves only before re-waxing. (Another great tip. Id have done both sides before waxing. Thanks again, Charlie.)
6. The valve should cover the reed slot by approx. 1mm
7. The numbers on the envelopes are the different types/weights of valves rule of thumb is the larger the reed the heavier the valve
8. Start with the bass valves. Bass no1 is the largest, then no2 opposite side.
9. Envelope no3 is the chord valves. Grey vinyl/vileda will go on the largest chord reeds, the vinyl type on the smaller reeds depending on size.
10. Same with treble the DB valves go on the largest bassoon reeds then V3, V2, and smallest reeds fit VI

So there it is. Tomorrow, Im off to buy a wax pan, brush, glue, etc. And a small indelible marking pen to make sure I dont mix up the reed blocks.
More pics to follow.

 

[JerryPH]

What helps me when doing things like this is take a LOT of photos as you are taking it apart. I may even sometimes use the video feature of my cell phone. Saved me a few times!

 

[Edocaster]

This is absolutely fantastic. I just got my order from Charlie Marshall and this has answered most of the questions I had in mind. Great to see other people on the same journey on here. I'll be following this closely.

I'm planning on lots of sticky notes on the reed plates and blocks to not get confused...

 

[keelbolt]

Video is a good idea. Heres the results of Day 1 - completing the first reed block on the bass side.
Video on YouTube here:


Everything went well, and a quick test of the bass buttons shows huge improvement in sound, tone, and no wheezes!
Ill post a video of the treble section next.

 

[JerryPH]

Your video is marked as private. What you want to do is make it unlisted.

 

[keelbolt]

OK. This video should now be public!

 

[NigelB]

Great video!

 

[JerryPH]

Excellent! I don't like that you left me hanging on the edge of my seat waiting to see the waxing process... lol

 

[yc360]

Can't wait for the second half! Thanks!

 

[Glenn]

Great video. Thanks for sharing.

 

[Edocaster]

Fantastic progress. How did you clean the reeds and plates? Just removing them is taking ages for me.

At 2:58 I noticed a crack in the middle treble block. You may want to reinforce that.

 

[spacetrakker]

OK you got my attention....great video......waiting.......waiting for Part 2 !

Thanks for sharing.

John

 

[dunlustin]

Excellent -can't wait for more.

 

[Soulsaver]

Did Charlie recommend what glue to use on the valves? Question came up in another thread. Great stuff in the video, looking forward to the next. :tup:

 

[colinm]

Any more videos available
Cm


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