Reeds (pics) are they Good ?

[Auser]

Hi all
Could you tell if the reeds in the pictures are fine ?
I know that if the cover doesn`t stick to the plate (there`s a small gap) it`s a bad sign.

What do you think ?

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Especially here in the right upper corner :

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[landro]

I assume you are referring to the leather valves . They look good to me. Maybe I could nit pick a couple but overall quite satisfactory.
OK, that twisted one in the right upper corner is either stuck in the reed opening or permanently warped . If so a quick easy fix.

 

[debra]

Hi all
Could you tell if the reeds in the pictures are fine ?

Many thanks for these pictures. Clearly an older Bugari Artist Cassotto, showing yet another brand of reeds they used: Morlacchi. I had never heard of them before. Bugari has used many different reed makers in the past, but despite that there is little if any sound difference between the different Artist Cassotto instruments.
That one small issue is that one leather that can probably still be salvaged. You can try without even removing it to just bend it back, roll up a bit (or should I say roll down as it is roll so that it will stay closed better afterwards).
You can tell that its an older instrument not only from the reed manufacturer but also from the mechanism to hold the reed blocks in place in cassotto. Newer Bugari accordions use a spring loaded quick release mechanism that doesnt require you to tighten screws that are essentially unreachable.
Its hard to see from the pictures but my guess is that this is a Bugari 288/ARS, a 4 reed 120 bass PA instrument (L and H in cassotto) with 41 keys. Interesting that Morlacchi stamped the brand name in the lowest F reed. I have seen later instruments with Cagnoni reeds and they stamp the lowest E reed instead (meaning no stamp on a PA keyboard that only goes down to F).
This is in any case a very fine instrument. If everything looks as good as the parts on these pictures I would value it between 3.000 and 3.500 euro despite its age, as the leathers and wax still look in very good condition and the reeds do not show signs of multiple tuning sessions. Its a true gem! (If you do not account for inflation this instrument is probably still worth as much as what it cost new.)

 

[Auser]

Thank you very much for replying

Iandro, you say an easy fix. I do practically any fixes (appliances, computers, cars) but not musical, so is the fix easy for me (non-musical, mostly technical) too ?

So how could it become twisted, and does it mean the leather covers are dry ?

Paul, yes you are right, it`s an Artist from the mid 80`s.
One thing I dislike about it is that it has no side master register, like in the new ones.

Many Thanks

 

[debra]

Paul, yes you are right, it`s an Artist from the mid 80`s.
One thing I dislike about it is that it has no side master register, like in the new ones.

Some things with Bugari are optional (paid or unpaid options).
The side master register is one such option, and actually this switch can be ordered to be any register you want (some use it for violin or M-M). Some people do not like that switch at all because they may press it accidentally. On the 285/ARS the side switch must be the master because the 15 regular switches do not include a master switch.
The other option is chin switches. The 288/ARS can have 3 chin switches which can be configured to be connected to any of the regular switches.

As for the bent valve, what I would do is remove the valve, straighten it (by bending and pressing until it stays straight) and then glue it back. Some people use shellack, I use a glue I buy from a shoe (and clothing) repair shop, not the glue they sell in tubes but the glue they use themselves (and which comes in large containers, so I just let them fill a jar with glue). If the valve has been in the bent position for very long you are unlikely to be able to straighten it without removing it first.

 

[Auser]

So is the "Accordion" register, the replacement for that master ?

 

[debra]

So is the Accordion register, the replacement for that master ?

Names for registers are different depending on manufacturer and accordion model.
There are a few common names, like Bassoon means 16 or L reed only and Master means tutti: all reeds playing (often 16-8-8-4 or 16-8-8-8 or sometimes 16-8-8-8-4, meaning LMMH or LMMM orLMMMH). Other registers can have any name. MM or 8-8 is often called violin, but not always, and 8-8-4 of 8-8-8 is often called musette. Oboe is sometimes used for M or 8 but on some accordions also for MH or 8-4. WHat the accordion register means is anyones guess. Therefore it is best to only use letters, LMH or feet 16-8-4 indicators.