Pre-war accordion, basses shifted down by one?

[isorry123]

Hey all, quick question, no drama -

Im at the tail end of restoring an 80 bass, prewar Scandalli. On most accordions, the C root bass button has a dimple or rhine stone.

This accordion seems to have the G root bass button dimpled - and all the notes on the bass side are shifted down by one from what we are accustomed.

Is this just fairly typical of accordions of this age, where the standards were more flexible ?

Should I adjust the dimples or leave them alone? Theoretically I can move reeds around to a modern configuration. (It’s also possible, but extremely unlikely, I’ve swapped all the reeds by one while waxing)

Can anyone confirm on an old Scandalli themselves?

 

[Dingo40]

Is this just fairly typical of accordions of this age, where the standards were more flexible ?

Not typical: probably an owner's diy mistake, possibly a factory error.

 

[Vladimir M.]

Should I adjust the dimples or leave them alone?

Hi,

in my personal opinion - I would keep the original rare condition if it didn't matter when playing. If the layout of the bass buttons for the tones and chords of the stradella system is preserved, changing/shifting position the dimple by one button while playing does not matter. You only need to haptically adapt to the change while playing, nothing more.
But... In the case that it starts to bother you, I would consider rather replacing the given button on the bass mechanism as a simpler solution.

Best regards, Vladimir

 

[boxplayer4000]

If the 'dimple' is the only problem exchange it with one where the 'dimple' should be. You'll have it done before the kettle has boiled!

 

[isorry123]

So a typical 80 bass goes from G# to Cb. This one appears “shifted” because it is! It goes from D# to Gb. Very interesting. If you use the picture below… this old Scandalli has a row above that contains D# and drops the last row containing the Cb.

Been many long hours but we can now see the finish line. New wax, new pallets, rebuilt bass machine, new straps, new bellows basket. Still needs tuning and probably some voicing on sluggish reeds. Couple air leaks around bass gasket which I haven’t gotten to and missing pins. Waiting for pins to come in from Germany. Very strong bass on this instrument. Might have to replace bass pallets if the gaskets & pins don’t fix the air leaks.

 

[Dingo40]

Lovely