Reed booster and a question about nails

[Mackan76]

Hi, maybe stupid question but I'm going to rewax and change valves. Some of the basson (16) have 2 valve booster dots applied, is this common or does it work with only 1?! And a second question, when rewax, does I put the nail before apply the wax or after?

 

[Mr Mark]

Booster dots will work with 1, I'm not THE expert but am pretty sure the dot aids in holding the wire/spring down - the wire/spring is the important bit, most notably the right amount of tension on there so the leathers open at just the right amount of airflow (also not sticking out too far from the leather and getting caught on adjacent reed blocks or bellows). I'm sure there are more knowledgeable folks on this but am pretty sure 2 aren't needed. Maybe they had a hard time securing the wire?

When I rewax (I've done at least a couple dozen accordions by now) I never reinstall the nails. When I did I would put them in before the wax but this is very tedious and makes it very difficult to ensure the wax is sealed everywehee. The reason I stopped reinstalling nails is because they didn't seem to offer any advantage other than maybe in the event of extreme heat all the reeds wont fall out (accordions have since been through many hot summers in places like hot tents without any ill effects including 40 degree celsius) Putting the nails in after the fact seems like a bad idea as you are likely to split the wood somewhere along the way (as you cannot see the original holes once wax is in place).

 

[debra]

Two dots are typically only used on the boosters for the largest bass reeds, not on treble-side low reeds. One dot should be enough to secure the booster springs. I would also not reinstall the nails. Apart from accidents in extreme heat they also help to hold the reed plates in place when after several decades the wax has hardened enough to fail to hold the reed plates so reed plates start falling off (when you for instance play something that asks for using the accordion like a drum).
The dots should be just over the place where the valve is glued. If two dots can be placed in a row, over the glued area, then too much glue was used. The general rule of thumb is to put glue on just a square area at the end of the valve, so not a longer area than the width of the valve. That gives you room for just one dot.

 

[jollyrogeraccordions]

If you are fitting new valves you could consider leather valves with plastic booster strips. They are less hassle to fit. I avoid booster springs when fitting new valves.

 

[debra]

If you are fitting new valves you could consider leather valves with plastic booster strips. They are less hassle to fit. I avoid booster springs when fitting new valves.

I find the longevity of leather valves with plastic booster strips disappointing. They are especially problematic when fitted on accordions with cassotto that tend to be placed on their feet (instead of in the playing orientation). On lower notes the plastic strips can also cause an audible vibration on some notes. I have started to replace the plastic strips by metal boosters and like the results.

 

[jollyrogeraccordions]

Thanks Paul. I have not noticed this problem and find them to be very efficient and quiet. They are fitted to many quality instruments, though I rarely see cassotto instruments, so I will note your observation on that.

 

[Paul vdV]

I was told that the nails were put in before waxing to make the waxing in the factory easier and faster.

 

[Sebastian Bravo]

Thanks Paul. I have not noticed this problem and find them to be very efficient and quiet. They are fitted to many quality instruments, though I rarely see cassotto instruments, so I will note your observation on that.

All cassotto accordions must be stored in playing position, not in the bass feet position, to avoid cassotto valves being affected by gravity.