Comic Relief...... /Accordion Tuning/not funny

[Carl Teplitski]

Have tuned hundreds of accordions. If you have never seen one done, I would
make sure your customer is prepared to possibly have his acc. ruined, or at
least away for quite a long time. Apart from the fact that you must learn how
to file each reed in and out of the reed well to make it go sharp or flatter,
you
must be very careful not to ruin the leathers associated with each one. They
have a large effect on reed pitch and reed response. My suggestion would be
that if you have never seen one done, don't !!! It is much more difficult than
a
musician tuning his own piano if he has no experience in doing same. One of
the most difficult things to do is, tune the inside reed tongue. This reed
tongue
plays when the bellows are pulled out. The reed which can be seen, plays when
you push the bellows to closed position. You must also not touch the reed
tongue
with your fingers as they will rust. I have seen an example when someone who
tried to
do something to their own acc., and handled the reed blocks with their hands
leave
their finger prints on each reed in rust. This of course changes the weight of
the reed
putting it out of tune, as when you file a reed , you are changing it's
vibrating speed
by making it heavier or lighter.  Nuff said ???
You didn't mention whether this was a decent instrument. Or if it is yours?
If you decide to go ahead, you must acquire some fine files. ( jewelers )
An ETD would be nice. Tune centre octave with ETD, and tune rest aurally.
Write me off list if you are serious about attempting this, because I would
really try to dissuade you .

Carl





sid blum wrote:

> Pianotech Listers,
>
> I'm thinking this question was best addressed off-list, but this group is
> such an amazing resource, I couldn't resist asking for your help.
>
> I am about to make my first attempt at accordion tuning.  If anyone has any
> wisdom they are interested in sharing, or sources for information, I would
> be most grateful.
>
> thanks,
>
> sid blum
> sid@sover.net