Repairing Guides

how to repair an accordion

by Angela Berge Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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  • Check the condition of the carrying case. ...
  • Check the body of the accordion, looking for chips missing from the corners, cracks in the celluloid or wood, scratch marks indicating abuse, etc. ...
  • Check for missing or broken hardware -- bellows clips, bass feet, strap hardware, register switches, etc.

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Full Answer

How to maintain an accordion?

Keep it away from water. Keep it away from really heavy heat. Some humidity is actually okay, it's worse for it to be dry than for it to be too humid, as far as the accordion is concerned. But basic things. When you're handling the accordion, make sure that you're careful not to put your hands on these actual keys; not to be bumping things.

How to fix an accordion keyboard?

  • Parts and Supplies List:
  • LM 386 Amp (integrated circuit, 8-pin DIP)
  • Plastic box 2 1/8” x 3 1/4” x 1 1/4” (54 mm x 83 mm x 32 mm) or larger
  • Belt clip
  • General purpose bread board 1.4” x 1.1” (35.6mm x 27.9 mm) or larger if your box is larger
  • Mini headphone jack
  • 10K Ohm Audio (log) potentiometer
  • On/off switch, small toggle
  • ¼” o.d. ...
  • Cable ties

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How to sell accordion?

What's it Worth?

  • The condition of the accordion. For second hand accordions, playability is valued higher than antiquity. ...
  • The brand. Of course, apart from the condition, the value also depends on the brand. ...
  • Size and possibilities. ...
  • So now some figures, please. ...
  • I'd like to take the money and run. ...
  • I'd rather keep it. ...

How to repair accordion shutters?

Accordion shutters with holes can let debris into the area it protects, which may cause damage. You will need a clean workspace to repair your shutters, making sure you have all necessary safety gear on before starting. Place a piece of scrap metal over the hole in your shutters, making sure it completely covers it.

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How much does it cost to repair an accordion?

It may look fine on the outside, but unfortunately - components inside an accordion do not age gracefully. Hundreds of reeds are attached with beeswax that gets brittle; tiny leather reed-valves can curl or fall off. Cost to restore can range from $750 to $1500 or more.

Can you fix an accordion?

Some accordions have screws in place of the pins, in which case you will spin them out with a screwdriver. Keep the screws and/or pins in order, as they are often not all exactly the same length or diameter, and they should be put back into the same holes they came from.

How do I fix my accordion reed?

0:5510:13DIY Accordion Repair: Fix a weird sounding note (simple ... - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipLet it swing back and forth I will show how that is done they use the toothpick for that and thatMoreLet it swing back and forth I will show how that is done they use the toothpick for that and that works nicely. And this one's almost almost a bit big but it will probably just work fine.

How do you take apart an accordion button?

1:232:11How to Take Apart an Accordion : How to Set the Bass Side in ... - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThat you know tight you say hand strap. And I move that aside. And then oftentimes you'll need aMoreThat you know tight you say hand strap. And I move that aside. And then oftentimes you'll need a flat head or a Phillips screwdriver. To open these little screws. So that's what I'm going to do now.

How do you repair an accordion bellow?

0:002:42TUTORIAL #7: REPLACING ACCORDION BELLOWS TAPEYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipFirst want to see which is your longest strip that you're going to need. For me that looks aboutMoreFirst want to see which is your longest strip that you're going to need. For me that looks about right. And then just put some wood glue on there press it on let it dry and move on to the next.

How do I fix my accordion buttons?

6:179:19TUTORIAL 10: FIXING A STICKY ACCORDION BUTTON - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipMentioned these buttons are slightly sticking here and if you would try to move these at theMoreMentioned these buttons are slightly sticking here and if you would try to move these at the placement around a little bit and then put the screws back in that may help but eventually.

How do you test accordion reeds?

0:292:47How to Test the Keys of an Accordion - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd do both a bellows pull and a bellow squeeze. For each key so kind of like. This. Right i'm justMoreAnd do both a bellows pull and a bellow squeeze. For each key so kind of like. This. Right i'm just i'm testing every key both on the inhale. And the exhale of the bellows.

What are the parts of an accordion?

The accordion has three main components: the right hand side, a piano or button keyboard; the bellows, which act like a bow; and the left hand side, which has 120 buttons. To produce sound, Ksenija says, the basic motion is to “pull and press”.

How do you make accordion wax?

one part beeswax, 1/8 part [linseed] oil, and 1/4 part rosin. oil or lanolin." 10% glycerin.

How do you put an accordion back together?

0:002:22How to Take Apart an Accordion : How to Put Together an ... - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo now I'm just putting it back together I'm putting these screws gently back into the same holesMoreSo now I'm just putting it back together I'm putting these screws gently back into the same holes that came out of remember. That that's kind of more important with screws than it is with pins.

How do you remove accordion bellows?

0:102:00How to Remove Cover Pins on an Accordion - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSection um and these are attached to the bellows. By way of little pins that actually slide rightMoreSection um and these are attached to the bellows. By way of little pins that actually slide right out with a needle nose pliers they fit kind of tightly. But you can see the pins.

How do you open the Hohner accordion?

0:000:53How to Take Apart an Accordion : How to Disassemble an AccordionYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo you want to kind of be careful prying it open but once all those pins are out it should come openMoreSo you want to kind of be careful prying it open but once all those pins are out it should come open pretty easily and lo and behold there we are the inside of the accordion.

How do you test accordion reeds?

0:292:47How to Test the Keys of an Accordion - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd do both a bellows pull and a bellow squeeze. For each key so kind of like. This. Right i'm justMoreAnd do both a bellows pull and a bellow squeeze. For each key so kind of like. This. Right i'm just i'm testing every key both on the inhale. And the exhale of the bellows.

What are the parts of an accordion?

The accordion has three main components: the right hand side, a piano or button keyboard; the bellows, which act like a bow; and the left hand side, which has 120 buttons. To produce sound, Ksenija says, the basic motion is to “pull and press”.

How do you remove accordion bellows?

0:102:00How to Remove Cover Pins on an Accordion - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSection um and these are attached to the bellows. By way of little pins that actually slide rightMoreSection um and these are attached to the bellows. By way of little pins that actually slide right out with a needle nose pliers they fit kind of tightly. But you can see the pins.

How do you make accordion wax?

one part beeswax, 1/8 part [linseed] oil, and 1/4 part rosin. oil or lanolin." 10% glycerin.

What does replacing felt valves do to accordion?

Renewing, refacing, re-valving; whatever you choose to call it, replacing the felt/leather facing on your treble valves will make your accordion use less air and will reduce the clattering of the keyboard.

Where are the white keys on an accordion?

To find the minimum practical white key travel for your accordion, remove the treble grille and identify all the white keys (if any) that have short key rods with their valves located in the black key row, nearest the keyboard.

What glue do you use to make a pallet?

If you have metal pallets you may choose to use a thin coat of hot glue or fabric glue for better adhesion, but if you have wood or plastic, use Elmer's white glue. Lay your newly cut valve facings on your work table felt side up.

Why remove bass machine valves?

For leaks caused by valve misalignment or deterioration, you will have to remove the bass machine in order to gain access to the valves. Unless you have a removable bass machine (perhaps 5% of accordions have them), you will have to disassemble the bass machine piece by piece and remove the pipes one at a time.

How many notes are on a 19" accordion?

If you have a normal full size 41/120 accordion with 19" keyboard, you probably will not find any. But if you have a ladies' size or intermediate size, or if you have an extended keyboard with more than 41 notes, you will very likely find that from 1 to 3 of your white keys have stubby little key rods.

Can you bend a key rod?

When the valve is closed, the key is just so high, and cannot go higher without bending the rod. (see the article on bending key rods and making bending tools). You will bend the key rods to set the key height exactly where you want it, usually flush with the ends of the keyboard cabinet.

Can you relax on an accordion?

If your accordion has no white key valves in the black key row, or if it has compound levers on those notes, you can relax, because the lower practical limit of white key travel is lower than you would want it in any case. But if you find one or more without compound levers, choose the lowest of those notes to test.

DIY Videos

DIY Accordion Repair: Fix a weird sounding note (simple fix of blocked reed)

Irish Tunes

Shandon Bells – Willie Coleman’s – Tatter Jack Walsh | Uilleann pipes, fiddle, Irish box in B

Cajun Tunes

Cajun accordion tuning – A side by side comparison to standard accordion tuning

French Tunes

Restored Hohner Pokerwork Bb/Eb tuned to one of A. Werckmeister’s baroque temperaments.

Other Tunes

Swedish music on Hohner Laurel Leaf – converted from chromatic to A/D/G diatonic

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