Rejuvenating reed valves?

[Casey.E]

Today I had a look at the inside of my accordion for the first time since I bought it. I have been noticing a slight wheezing/gurgling sound on a few notes when I change the direction of the bellows and I though I should have a look. I noticed that about half of the leather valves were curled away from the reed plates, with the widest gap being about 4 mm and others ranging between 3 and 1 mm. From a little research, this seems to be the root of my problem.
The leather valves feel dry but are still flexible. I was wondering, is any way to treat the leather to get it to lie flat again or will the valves have to be replaced? It is only a Bai-le so spending time and money replacing valves seems a little counter productive.
If the valves aren't salvageable, how difficult would it be to replace them myself?
Cheers-

 

[JIM D.]

You might give this a read ---

HOW TO REPAIR ACCORDIONS 1

Check out http://accordionrevival.com! AccordionRevival.com How to repair accordions, make accordion repair tools, find and repair air leaks, change leathers, wax reeds, voice reeds, level keyboards.

accordionrevival.com

 

[debra]

If the leather valves feel moist then you have a serious moisture problem where you keep the accordion. Valves should feel dry but sould be flexible and can be brought back to life (read Jim's advice).
A wheezing/gurgling sound is not uncommon with lower notes (especially in L register) because the larger leather valves flap open and closed and you hear that. They are typically held in shape and close well because they have metal booster springs. It's when leathers stay open that you have a real problem: when you start playing a note it 1) has trouble starting because of the air loss through the opposing reed, 2) it starts too high because of that air loss and 3) you hear a "plop" sound when the valve for the opposing reed finally gets sucked closed.

 

[TomBR]

Good advice already and Accordion Revival is a great resource as usual, though the process is daunting!
Do you plan to keep the accordion long term? How's the tuning?

It's not a proper repair but for what it's worth....
Something I have done with concertina valves (leathers) is to make a little tool from a paperclip (different sizes may be needed) that can somewhat help to uncurl valves in place. I've done it, I thought it helped, your choice!
Hard to describe so sketch attached.

 

[Casey.E]

Thank you all for these tips.
Jim, that website seems very useful, I'll definitely have a good read of it's contents.
Paul, most of my leathers are closing well (as far as I can tell) but I have noticed the "plop" thing you mentioned on two or three notes and those correspond with the leathers with the most curling.
Thanks for that sketch Tom, I'll give that tool a try. In answer to you questions, I plan on keeping the accordion for the foreseeable future and to my ear it is mostly in tune. A few notes are a little off but not so much that it sticks out too badly.

 

[Ventura]

when new valves are not available, or on occasions when i am broke,
i have had some success with removing the curled leathers, rolling them
in my fingers opposite the curve, then laying them out flat on a nice piece of
Waxed Paper shiny side up

then i dip lightly my finger in some LEXOL and give a quick rub to each

then let them dry a couple days and re-install... i typically use Indian red Shellac
which is still available in any good AutoParts store to re-attach them

i am not promoting this over any actual professional repairman's advise...
it is just the way "i did it myself without knowing better"

ciao

Ventura

 

[JIM D.]

Baile accordions are made in China. And will have Chinese made reed leathers that are of poor quality leather compared to the typical German &
Italian reed leathers made of kidskin. Chinese valves once curled can be straightened but will very shortly return to their curled state and
not seal properly.

 

[Ventura]

ahh yes, Mr. D.

this is why we call them "accordion shaped objects" rather than true musical instruments

and this was evident in the cardboard for Bellows that lost shape and the Wood sections
that warped and became bowed and so many other ghastly items that came out of
the Pearl River factories (Horugel Piano's being one local nightmare we lived through)

Trenched Cardboard and Leather that was 100% de-salted and Kilned Woods chosen
for their natural properties to a specific purpose (as opposed to OMG we use this
local Asian Mahogany plywood for EVERYthing in sight)

while it is true there are a few factories in China that have actually learned to
build decent instruments that will last awhile, it still does not seem to be in
their "DNA" to put the Craftsmanship ahead of the consistent reproducability
of a barely sellable product that they seem to strive for

ciao

Ventura