Question regarding a J.G. Giuletti accordion.

[JudyKimp]

I recently acquired a J.G. Giuletti accordion, model S32 (pictures attached). I just began playing it, and I noticed the air release button does not go all the way in, but air does release, but it seems to do so very slowly. Is this typical of these accordions, or do I need to see the repair guy? It otherwise plays well and is in very good condition.

 

[debra]

No idea what "all the way in" is supposed to mean. You push the air release button and then air should go in or out. It's just one hole so air will not be released as quickly as when you press lots of bass buttons at the same time. If the button went "all the way in" it could get stuck inside, so just like with bass buttons it doesn't go all the way in.
By the way the "J.G." stands for Julio Giulietti.

 

[Dingo40]

I have a Giulietti model F74, 3 voice PA.
A likeable feature of this model is the larger than average air button which makes sucking air into or expelling it from the bellows a breeze ().
To me it sounds as if the air button on Judy's accordion (though a different model) may be malfunctioning, as very slow air release would be unsatisfactory.
There may be something impeding the free flow of air.

 

[Ventura]

dear Judy

what a nice little accordion for you to learn on..

if you feel brave, the mechanism for the air button is simplicity itself..

on an empty kitchen table. you first unspin the bass strap so it is free,
then looking around the edges of the bass-plate, you will see some
very small screws.. they may also be larger screws one each in the
4 corner "feet" of the bass plate.

cerwfully remove these and put them aside in a saucer so they don't roll away

removing the plate, you can now see all the mechanical insides of the bass..
the air release, you will now see, from the button, and it's attached
hardware/wire that it goes to a pivot point, and the air valve is held down
by a spring somewhere attached.

simply work the air button up and down watching the revealed motion
to see that it lifts the valve cleanly off the hole. Sometimes the mechanism
gets bent a bit out of true and usually can be bent carefully back into correct shape.

if it LOOKS ok, then also gently, while holding the button pressed,
poke the edge of the now lifted pad to see if it is loose from it's wood
part (and so it can partially hang down when pressed blocking the hole a bit)

also shine a light and try to peek into the hole when the button is pressed
to see if there is something on the OTHER side of the hole stuck there,
(in which case, popping off the bellows would be the next step to see and
diagnose a problem..

that is also not hard to do if you feel brave enough to attempt it.
We will explain how if you wish.

good luck

 

[JudyKimp]

Thanks for the quick response folks! Actually, I started on accordion at 8 years old, and "graduated" up to piano and pipe organ later on. Regretfully sold my original Ferrari accordion when in college. Anyway, I bought a LoDuca Petite Accordion from a friend for a good price, about a year ago and got back into playing at 63 years old. Another friend hooked me up with this student, which is perfect for me right now, as I am recovering from a fall in which I broke both my elbows. I think something is impeding this air release button, and I may just bring it to my repair guy tomorrow, as he is very reasonable. I will have to introduce myself in the "New" section later. What a great forum. Good to know there is a community out there as I get reacquainted with my old friend the accordion.

 

[Dingo40]

Welcome Judy!
Condolences about your injuries.
Some years ago, my cousin slipped on some ice outside his house in Indianapolis and fell breaking both wrists.
Luckily, he was treated in a Veterans Hospital and made a full recovery.

 

[Ignacchitti]

Hi Judy! Welcome!
What Ventura described is really simple to do, it was the first part of any accordion I opened up when I started. I know you are not just starting, so even more reason for you to feel okay doing that.

 

[JudyKimp]

Welcome Judy!
Condolences about your injuries.
Some years ago, my cousin slipped on some ice outside his house in Indianapolis and fell breaking both wrists.
Luckily, he was treated in a Veterans Hospital and made a full recovery.

Thanks for the support - and the story. It's good to know I have company! It was a rough 7 weeks when I couldn't play anything. Just slowly starting back now is encouraging, and I was happy to find this forum.

 

[JudyKimp]

Okay, so I am definitely taking it to my accordion guy today. Did a visual inspection of the location, and A - this particular accordion does not look too easy to take apart, as the feet are part of the whole piece of the back of the accordion, and B - the foot by the air release button has a chip off the corner. So, it appears to me that somewhere along the line, the accordion got a nice whack, which chipped the foot, and must have impacted the air release button. I'll leave this to my accordion guy. It's too bad, because other than that, the accordion is in great shape. Unfortunately it came without a case, as the owner had a flood in her house. No - the accordion itself was not impacted by it - my repair guy confirmed that no moisture got to it on his first inspection of it.

 

[JudyKimp]

Okay, so took to my accordion guy - it was real simple (although recovering from injury I did not want to fuss with the thing). He opened it up, and for some reason it was just sticking. He pried it up with one of his tools, and that was it - done. He checked to make sure there was nothing in there sticking it, and there wasn't. Probably was just lack of use from the previous owner. Played for almost an hour when I got back home. All is well! My guy is really good - he doesn't charge for minor adjustments.

 

[Dingo40]

So good!

 

[JudyKimp]

Hey Dingo - Just curious - how long did it take your cousin to recover from his wrist injury? I'm about 11 weeks in, and although I'm starting to play, I know I'm not fully recovered. I know it's a different injury, and people have differing experiences, but just trying to get a ballpark here.

 

[Dingo40]

how long did it take your cousin to recover from his wrist injury? I

I'm sorry but, as we lived on different continents (and this happened years ago), I don't exactly remember: I'd only be guessing now.
I do remember, when I broke my own wrist falling from a motorcycle (the scaphoid bone), I was three months in plaster .
(But mine was a very small "fracture" with no displacement.)

 

[JudyKimp]

I'm sorry but, as we lived on different continents (and this happened years ago), I don't exactly remember: I'd only be guessing now.
I do remember, when I broke my own wrist falling from a motorcycle (the scaphoid bone), I was three months in plaster .
(But mine was a very small "fracture" with no displacement.)

Yes - that's exactly what I have - minimal fracture - no displacement - but I did not need a cast. They just told me to wear a sling for 2-3 days. The left side they did not even see on the first x-ray - it wasn't till I went back 8 days later still in pain that they saw the fracture on the left side. When I saw the orthopedic doctor, he told me it was on the first x-ray, but was very hard to see - so I guess pretty minimal - the pain wasn't though!!!

 

[dak]

Yes - that's exactly what I have - minimal fracture - no displacement - but I did not need a cast. They just told me to wear a sling for 2-3 days. The left side they did not even see on the first x-ray - it wasn't till I went back 8 days later still in pain that they saw the fracture on the left side. When I saw the orthopedic doctor, he told me it was on the first x-ray, but was very hard to see - so I guess pretty minimal - the pain wasn't though!!!

Well, a hairline fracture keeps all nerves reporting about the inflammation connected to the ongoing repairs. It's like newspaper reports about thefts in your town being more thorough than about mass murders in war zones where few reporters will be reachable on location.

At least you'll get informed when the repairs are winding down.

 

[JudyKimp]

Well, a hairline fracture keeps all nerves reporting about the inflammation connected to the ongoing repairs. It's like newspaper reports about thefts in your town being more thorough than about mass murders in war zones where few reporters will be reachable on location.

At least you'll get informed when the repairs are winding down.

Hey thanks dak - that's a very interesting analogy. I'm still not feeling 100% - but I am getting a lot more functional. Still some residual soreness when I overdo stuff. Worst physical experience of my entire life - but I really like your analogy!

 

[Dingo40]

I came off my bicycle landing on a knee: It recovered, but I was feeling twinges over a year later!