re tuning advice

[Vlad the Polka]

When I play mine for people they usually throw eggs & tomatoes at me. Sometimes bricks.

Strange...The accordion is tuned close to perfection

I hope you're not being literal. that is my greatest fear. although one homeless man did throw a Mountain Dew bottle at me but it was because I was in his spot.

do you mean your accordion is tuned close to perfection?

 

[Vlad the Polka]

Vlad The Polka:
Before you even consider filing or scratching reeds, or otherwise removing metal that can't be replaced, you need to further explore why the reed has gone out of tune.
By far the main causes are the reed valves becoming 'tired' along with dirt or debris getting onto the reed. There are others such as reed misalignment or wax problems.
Scratching or filing reeds while any of these conditions exist is a waste of time.

Thank you for your advice. I have cleaned the reeds and gotten the dust out several times now. Everything seems impeccable aside from the aging smell of the leathers which is quite nice.

 

[tcabot]

Just joking

 

[JerryPH]

Thank you for your advice. I have cleaned the reeds and gotten the dust out several times now. Everything seems impeccable aside from the aging smell of the leathers which is quite nice.

Replacing the leathers should be done as part of the tune... matter of fact, BEFORE the tune as later changing the leathers may thrown the tune off slightly.

 

[kimric]

Replacing the leathers should be done as part of the tune... matter of fact, BEFORE the tune as later changing the leathers may thrown the tune off slightly.

True, changing the valves will change the tuning, pointless to tune before changing out questionable valves. The fun part sourcing valves.

 

[debra]

True, changing the valves will change the tuning, pointless to tune before changing out questionable valves. The fun part sourcing valves.

I work mostly on accordions that are not old enough to require either the wax or the valves to be changed. But of course, everything in and on the accordion needs to be checked and fixed or replaced if needed, before tuning can begin. Tuning is always the very last job.

 

[Vlad the Polka]

Replacing the leathers should be done as part of the tune... matter of fact, BEFORE the tune as later changing the leathers may thrown the tune off slightly.

The valves seem ok to me but yeah that's a great point.

 

[Vlad the Polka]

True, changing the valves will change the tuning, pointless to tune before changing out questionable valves. The fun part sourcing valves.

very true. Im pretty sure the valves are ok though. factory ones from zero sette I believe.

 

[Vlad the Polka]

I work mostly on accordions that are not old enough to require either the wax or the valves to be changed. But of course, everything in and on the accordion needs to be checked and fixed or replaced if needed, before tuning can begin. Tuning is always the very last job.

Yeah this accordion may be as old as 35 years. im really not sure. My teacher seemed to think it was from the early nineties late eighties. would be nice if they put a date on it somewhere. It's in immaculate condition barely a scratch on it and keys are flush. At any rate ive decided to get a professional to tune it. Accordion Gallery where I bought the full size one from.