Hohner 12 bass conversion

[Andy Simpson]

I'm planning on converting a Club II and an Erika to 12 basses. I understand how the mechanism works and making new reedblocks, moving the blocks that hold them on the baseboard and drilling the extra holes are no problem, the only obstacle so far is the hardware.

The metal thingy that screws onto the baseboard that the axle rod and springs go on, (what's it called?), can only accept 8 levers. Would the 8 existing levers, supplemented by others of the same type, fit on another one of them for a 12 bass Hohner, such as a Corona, or are Hohner bass mechanisms sufficiently different from each other to require having to remove the original mechanism and transplant an entire 12 bass one?.

[Malcolm Austen]

An example can be found in this thread
may be Malcolm Clapp will give you some more information.
Quote:
"Added a pair of "new" buttons at each end of the original set, re-arranged the action and extended the reed blocks. PITA of a job, which I probably will never repeat!"

[acctech]

If you want to save yourself a lot of trouble. Try to obtain the bass mechanism and blocks from a corona II. The mechanism parts are essentially the same; just 12 basses instead of 8. However I don't believe the arm that extends from the button to the mechanism is the same. So you will need to find, make, or modify 4 new arms. I hope this helps. I'm currently building a custom 2 row 3 voice with 12 basses, designed somewhat around the Hohner Pokerwork. Rather that re-post an entire set of pictures, here is a link to pictures of my project: www.reyesforum.com  > Forums > Tim's Corner > Please Welcome Tim Schofield