Reverse order of LH CBA?

[stickista]

I have an opportunity to pick up a Melodeon from Europe for a good price.
(4 row CBA accordion on both right and left hands.)

Problem is that melodeons are set up like B system free bass with the lowest note at the bottom of the instrument.

Question:
Can I change LH from lowest note towards floor to lowest note towards ceiling by simply reversing the reed order on the existing reed blocks?

 

[debra]

I have an opportunity to pick up a Melodeon from Europe for a good price.
(4 row CBA accordion on both right and left hands.)

Problem is that melodeons are set up like B system free bass with the lowest note at the bottom of the instrument.

Question:
Can I change LH from lowest note towards floor to lowest note towards ceiling by simply reversing the reed order on the existing reed blocks?

Sadly you cannot, for two possible reasons:
1. Typically the reed blocks on melody bass follow the size of the reeds. So they are much larger on the low end than on the high end. So you cannot simply move the reeds.
2. The way in which the 4rd row repeats the 1st row is offset differently between C system and B system and between low notes at the top and low notes at the bottom.
What might be possible is to change the levers (the catorcetti) that connect button pistons to the arms lifting the pallets. It just might be possible to change the whole bass mechanism in order to reverse the order (after all, the pistons and the arms are the same in both systems, it's only the connections using the catorcetti that are different). But this is a hell of a job in any case. It may be easier to just learn the new system...

 

[Ralston]

It's a neat idea. If only it was easier to accomplish. I'm guessing that attempting to do something like this would risk breaking the whole thing as well, right?

 

[debra]

It's a neat idea. If only it was easier to accomplish. I'm guessing that attempting to do something like this would risk breaking the whole thing as well, right?

Unless you are a fully qualified accordion technician (repairman) you are right: high risk of breaking the whole thing.

 

[stickista]

I have an opportunity to pick up a Melodeon from Europe for a good price.
(4 row CBA accordion on both right and left hands.)

Problem is that melodeons are set up like B system free bass with the lowest note at the bottom of the instrument.

Question:
Can I change LH from lowest note towards floor to lowest note towards ceiling by simply reversing the reed order on the existing reed blocks?

Sadly you cannot, for two possible reasons:
1. Typically the reed blocks on melody bass follow the size of the reeds. So they are much larger on the low end than on the high end. So you cannot simply move the reeds.
2. The way in which the 4rd row repeats the 1st row is offset differently between C system and B system and between low notes at the top and low notes at the bottom.
What might be possible is to change the levers (the catorcetti) that connect button pistons to the arms lifting the pallets. It just might be possible to change the whole bass mechanism in order to reverse the order (after all, the pistons and the arms are the same in both systems, it's only the connections using the catorcetti that are different). But this is a hell of a job in any case. It may be easier to just learn the new system...

That’s disappointing.
If I had anticipated this a year ago, I would have had my Geuns Hybrid Bandoneon built with ‘Prez’ LH (bass on bottom) since I’ve discovered that exact R/L mirroring (Gabla LH) didn’t make learning left any easier. Then I would have had access to the whole world of plentiful, cheap Melodeons.  :dodgy:
In addition, I can now see the advantage of being able to use the pinky for bass across all 3 rows instead of the (albeit stronger) thumb only on row 1.
So it looks like my only options for a 2nd (backup, larger range) instrument are:
1) get on Harry Geuns 2 year wait list for a Pro model ($5000 and still only 3 rows)

2) get a Pigini 4 row, 2 reed Gabla free bass accordion I found for $2000 that has small buttons on the left

3) have Maugein custom build their Geuns Bandoneon-shaped, single reed, 4 row for which they quoted me about $6500. It’s a magnificent instrument (Cassotto on both sides, a Mano reeds, completely to my specs) and only 5 month wait. Probably my best option, but it’s going to take a year of playing my Geuns before I can determine if I’ll truly deserve this instrument.
But maybe that’s a good thing.

Thanks Paul!