Question regarding 2 Reed Accordion Tuning

[wirralaccordion]

If a 2 reed accordion is tuned MM+ then there are two possible registers, M and MM+. M being dry and MM+ being a degree of "wetness"
If the accordion is tuned LM then this results in three possible registers, L, M and LM. Are such accordions in existence and if so could the M be tuned "wet" giving the registers, L, M+ and LM+ ?

 

[TomBR]

If an accordion has Low and Middle reeds then clearly it can have L, M and LM registers, three options.

I've never tried it but I believe wet tuning doesn't work with reeds in different octaves.
L and M+ will just sound bad.

 

[Glug]

LM+ probably does sound bad (I've never heard it), but it is also known as Sax.
Here it is on a Guerrini Polka King:

Guerrini Polka King Accordion

 

[debra]

In the past quite a few 2 reed accordions with LM were built, mainly for jazz. The L and M were always dry tuned as far as I know. A 3 voice accordion with LMM is more versatile, but also heavier...

 

[TomBR]

LM+ probably does sound bad (I've never heard it), but it is also known as Sax.

That's interesting, thank you. Anyone got an accordion with such a sax coupler, even if they never use it?

 

[Dingo40]

Tom,
I have two accordions, a Sonola LMM and a Bugari LMMMH , both of which have a "Sax" coupler.
Personally, I like it. ?

 

[Sebastian Bravo]

I modified a Hohner Verdi with 7 (5)registers, to be able of playing the Sax register. I hated it. But it's a personal matter. It also depends on how much tremolo the accordion has. (LM+18 is a bad sax configuration, but LM+6 would be softer and more pleasant...)

 

[Ventura]

with a very mild tuning variance, and since my M is in a tone chamber, LM vs LM+ and LMH vs LM+H is more about boldness in the sound (lots of shifts on the sartori)

 

[Sebastian Bravo]

with a very mild tuning variance, and since my M is in a tone chamber, LM vs LM+ and LMH vs LM+H is more about boldness in the sound (lots of shifts on the sartori)

that's why every 15 register accordions are dry tuned, the M+ register is used as a non-cassotto clarinet, the sound is sharper compared to the M in cassotto.

 

[debra]

The effect of a sax register can to some extent be reproduced on an LM accordion by first pressing either L or M and then carefully partly pressing the LM register switch, checking the sound until it sounds "about right" for you. You can also vary the amount of tremolo on an MM+ accordion by first pressing M and then partly pressing the MM+ register until the tremolo sounds right. (Of course this will not result in more tremolo than MM already has. You could only increase the tremolo over what MM+ offers if the accordion has an M+ only register. You then start with M+ and partly press MM until you have the tremolo you like.)
All these tricks only work to an acceptable level if the register sliders under the reed blocks move perfectly synchronously. The effect is obtained by having register sliders partly closed and that "part" should be the same on both reed blocks (or even three on a bayan).

 

[wirralaccordion]

That's interesting, thank you.

That's interesting, thank you. Anyone got an accordion with such a sax coupler, even if they never use it?

My Brandoni has such a coupler ( LH+ ) but it's called horn instaed of sax. Compared to the Guerrini above it has a celeste coupler which is M1M instead of a single reed M+ and as my tuning is -5, 0, +16 cents gives the combination -5, 0 which is a good choice for swing. I can't see the point of another single reed option anyway.

 

[wirralaccordion]

My Brandoni has such a coupler ( LH+ ) but it's called horn instaed of sax. Compared to the Guerrini above it has a celeste coupler which is M1M instead of a single reed M+ and as my tuning is -5, 0, +16 cents gives the combination -5, 0 which is a good choice for swing. I can't see the point of another single reed option anyway.

Correction - LH+ should read LM+

 

[losthobos]

L and M+ is quite a 'wild' sound for Tango
So if playing n LM bandoneon sound and you wanna kick a chorus go L M+ to get them hearts beating....