Bellows folds on Hohner one rows

[allmat]

I've just noticed that the number of bellows folds varies on the one rows we have.  Two HA114s in G with silver endpapers both have sixteen (3 silver, 3 red, 4 gold, 3 red, 3 silver); another in A also with silver endpapers has seventeen (4 silver, 3 red, 3 gold, 3 red, 4 silver); a more recent one in C with gold endpapers has fourteen (3 silver, 3 red, 2 gold, 3 red, 3 silver).  An older HA113 in C also has fourteen, in the same pattern.
Is there any logic behind this variation or does it simply reflect changes in specification over time?  I'd be particularly interested to know whether the number of folds and pattern of tape colours reflects the instrument's key.

[martyn]

I have two of the older 4 stop one rows both in C. One has 16 folds ( 3 silver, 3 red, 4 gold, 3 red, 3 silver).
The other one has 17 folds ( 4 silver, 3 red, 3 gold, 3 red, 4 silver). I've recently sold another in C which had 14 folds (gold and red).

Martyn

[melodeon]

My 1950's HA112  has 14 folds

[Rees]

The bellows colour and number of folds bears no relation to the key of the melodeon.

[allmat]

The bellows colour and number of folds bears no relation to the key of the melodeon.

Thanks for that clarification, Rees.  But while I can appreciate tape colour being simply a design / marketing issue surely the number of folds in the bellows must have had some logical basis, and changes in that number made for a reason?  I doubt the workers in the factory were simply allowed a free hand when making them.

[Rees]

No, can't throw any light on that one.
Maybe triskel knows.

[Theo]

Could be the 14 fold goes with the two stop which uses less air?

[allmat]

From my original query and the replies already posted we have

Three HA114s with 16, two with 17, two with 14.
One HA113 with 14.
One HA112 with 14.

Two much more modern HA114s with ‘all black’ bellows feature 14.

I’ve a photo of another HA113 with 14 folds, and an old HA114 with 17.

My cynical conclusion is that perhaps the two and three stop models originally had fewer folds than the fours, and the bean-counters saw a cost cutting opportunity, reducing first to 16 then to 14.  If so then this could give a clue as to the age of a four stop.

[Theo]

Another factor to consider is that bellows may have been swopped between instruments.

[old geezer]

Another factor to consider is that bellows may have been swopped between instruments.

OK; I admit to swapping bellows of a few Hohner HA113/4
don't yar just hate running outta air

Once upon-a-time, I owned a HA113 tuned in 'D' which had a 14 fold bellows.
 I bartered (+ a momentry exchange) my HA113 'D' x14 for a HA114 'G' x17 , and interchanged the bellows
 the bloke up the road now has a HA113 'D' x 17
 I've a HA114 x 22 (new Italian bellows) that I hope will never run out of air 
 and the 14 fold bellows is now attached to my reed tuning table

I recently bought a newer HA114 'C' x14 (black paper ends) for Au$81 (yes, a gift I know) that is totally black 'cept for the very dark green inner bellows cloth.

IMHO: the early silver ended, built in the 1950's & 60's, HA114's had 17 folds, HA113's were 14 folds and, the HA112's were 12 folds, and similarly the gold ended one rows of the 70's & 80's .....

[old geezer]

Here's a HA114 C x14 with red ends, no bids as yet though

[acctech]

Just curious, has anyone taken a measurement of the depth of the folds? This would have a bearing, although I personally prefer more folds.
I counted the folds in my Hohner Morgane, 22 folds and it has the better type bellows tape, not paper. Not that I normally do it, but I'm able to fully extend my arm comfortably with this many folds. I don't have to fight the bellows trying to pull back together.

[old geezer]

the depth of the folds would have a bearing,

yes you're correct

I've noticed some that play Organetto's, play some tunes at arms length
it appears these tunes mainly use the suck notes..
or is it their style ?

[michik]

200 folds 
http://graphics7.nytimes.com/images/2003/10/13/arts/13MARC.650.jpg

[old geezer]

200 folds 
http://graphics7.nytimes.com/images/2003/10/13/arts/13MARC.650.jpg

photoshop playtime...........