Melodeon.net Forums
Discussions => Instrument Makes and Models => Topic started by: 911377brian on December 11, 2015, 11:25:06 AM
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Got overheated and got a Hohner one row four stopper in G from EBay.looks pretty new so obviously Chinese. I've yet to hear anything good about Chinese boxes so I'm somewhat nervous about what ghastly built in problems it's going to arrive with. Anyone had any experience with them?
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Down into the cellar young man and start weight training as G one rows take a bit of effort to play, due to being an octave down on a 'normal' box so bigger reeds plus there are 4 not 2. Also prepare to learn to play in the upper octave as that's where tunes mostly fit on a one row.
Whole new challenge Brian. ;)
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Not that bad. Chinese Hohners seem to be the best quality melodeons coming out of China, though maybe not quite up to the standard of the previous German production. You might find the bellows a bit stiff, but otherwise the only problem I've encountered with Chinese Hohners generally is that the right hand action mechanism arms tend to bend a little with use, causing the buttons to become higher than acceptable, but can easily be adjusted.
Generally, 4 stoppers are quite tricky to maintain; if I was in the market for a 4 stop Hohner I think I would go Chinese rather than struggling with a beat up old German one, though I wouldn't go the same way for a 2 or 3 row.
My 10c worth....
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True - with the beat up German ones I`ve had, I spent more time plugging up leaks than playing in the first months of ownership and I never could get enough air into the G ones - likewise , if I was after a 4 stop G , I`d go for a modern Chinese hohner too (or a Weltmeister or something higher end)
in 1 rows I prefer 1040s which although lacking the L and H reeds IMO play far better and sound better too , also have 4 basses witjh proper buttons (it`s like half a pokerwork) , people like the 4-stops because they look "Cajun" rather than "Cheapskate" - (re 1040) as in "Too mean to buy a whole Pokerwork" LOL
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I had two Chinese made 114-C and D new.. and I had German made G and C..sold the Chinese ones quickly..I could not get the same volume & sound from them when compared to German ones.also bellow folds on the new ones are less than older German made boxes, I think this will have negative effect for G box as they DO need extra hard bellow work plus if the reeds are not set correctly(more than likely on Chines ones) you'll have to work real hard to get the sound..but you can always get it set/tune to make it easer to play surely ;)
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Must have a good one, then. Mine is German, elderly and totally airtight! All reeds, stops, spoons etc. work....
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I know a man in leafy Bucks who can do stuff.... (:)
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I thought it was Herts. The only thing going for it is that a canal runs through it. 8)
I'll get me coat, oh! And the Narrowboat >:E
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I could be mistaken, but I didn't think they made the Hohner 4-stoppers in G once production moved to China...I believe they are now only available (new) in C or D. A four-stopper in G is likely German-made. Can anyone corroborate this?
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Dunno but if Brian had expressed an interest in one I'd have swapped mine for that beaten upm neglected, wheezy old Geordie of his ;D
Lester's right about the windage they demand but that lovely rich sound* is well worth it - plus with a couple of those toggle latches fitted you can keep your cherry patsy in it, in the absence of a topper ;)
* just remembered somebody, possibly Theo, noting that playing one for a while was a bit like eating Christmas dinner every day.
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...just remembered somebody, possibly Theo, noting that playing one for a while was a bit like eating Christmas dinner every day.
Should have a helping of spinach instead, Popeye. I agree that they can be hard work.
Maybe my earlier comment about my dislike of beat up old German 4 stoppers is a little unfair, but reflects the number of such boxes that have found their way into my workshop over the years. I suppose that there are decent low mileage ones out there that haven't been tortured to destruction, but at least in Oz a good one seems hard to find.
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The 114 arrived this morning and is in very good nick, almost showroom condition but for the tiniest dent in the grill. The stops have all got a turn or two of embroidery silk round the stems to stop their descent and it is actually stamped 'Made in Germany' which has warmed an old mans heart....
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Never mind warming yer heart Brian, build up to full chat on L slowly as yer kidneys, liver, spleen etc. will need to adapt to the wobbbbbulation ;D
Another G up abuser 8)
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Well Richard, I'm totally infatuated with the wondrous noise it makes with all the stops up but sooner or later the gubbins tied round the spindles will have to come off so that I can experiment with all the combinations. It's not embroidery thread by the way, it's green garden string which is much more suitable doncher think? Is there a magic way to keep the stops where you want them? Wouldn't elastic bands just keep them all up, same as the string does now? ???
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Clothes Pegs are the standard 'stop keeper uppers'
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/20/Clothespin-2459e.jpg)
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There is Marc Serafini's method with magnets. Quite simple if you don't mind drilling holes where they don't show.
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There is Marc Serafini's method with magnets. Quite simple if you don't mind drilling holes where they don't show.
This is what I have done to my 1 rows
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In which case you'd better do mine Lester....please.. (:)
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In which case you'd better do mine Lester....please.. (:)
When you get your tools replaced you can do it yourself. Really easy job. (:)
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Drill out the oversized worn holes.
Insert hardwood (such as maple) dowels.
Drill a new hole.
Done.
Another fix is mix:
Ivory bar soap , chalk and glycerine... make a thick past.
Rub into the holes and on the shafts.
No slip.
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Love it!Spoilt for choice,but magnets have real appeal.....
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Just bend the rods Brian - only a tweak, where they come through the box.
Exits left to commit hairy curie before the Fettlers Guild put out a contract :M
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(:).
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Red rubber bands as left behind by the postperson... :|glug
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Exits left to commit hairy curie before the Fettlers Guild put out a contract :M
You may well awaken in the near future to find a decapitated Piano Accordion in your bed. Be warned you are on a list!
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Just bend the rods Brian - only a tweak, where they come through the box.
Exits left to commit hairy curie before the Fettlers Guild put out a contract :M
It's simple Richard, just make him an offer he can't refuse. 8)
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Thanks Lester, I have obviously arrived - although where remains a mystery ;)
I did Nick but Brian has his own HA114 now (yet still retains some sort of emotional attachment to the Georgie)
Brian, if you don't like the barbaric idea of bending the rods, waft some vinegar fumes over them (avoid getting it, or tartare sauce, near the reeds) as a little rust can also be very supportive.
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Melodeon's tip (using ivory soap on the spindles to overcome gravity) got me thinking...instead of soap I've lightly embalmed the spindles with a smear of moustache wax (The Gentleman's Stiffener) and it seems to do the trick. It's a temporary fix until I find out exactly how and where to fit magnets, what sort of magnets, where to source them etc....
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Richard,you're covetous lust for my Giordy is leading you down some very dark byways....
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Magnets Instructions
- Purchase Magnets http://www.gyroscopes.co.uk/d.asp?product=NSN0617
- Remove treble end
- Unscrew stops and remove
- Drill 1/4" holes from the inside of the casework to intercept the stop rod holes at right angles
- Refit the stops
- Insert magnets in new holes
- Magnets grip the stop rods and stop them sliding
- Robert's your father's brother
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Tis only my admiration of your advances in the MAD quest that prevented the suggestion to annoint the stop rods with Marmite appearing in print Brian ;D Application of soap sounds a reasonable solution if you can get it to stick
You have my assurance that the lack of Giordy here is purely fiscal (:)
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Magnets out of stock. Get the clothes pegs Brian.
John
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Magnets out of stock. Get the clothes pegs Brian.
John
http://www.first4magnets.com/circular-disc-rod-magnets-c34/6mm-dia-x-6mm-thick-n42-neodymium-magnet-1-4kg-pull-p3568
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Pack of 25 there Brian, you will have to buy another 5 boxes now.
John
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Thanks,Lester.Magnets on order.Richard, Marmite is rubbish on moustaches so I'm assuming it wouldn't be much good on stop spindles...
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Hmmmm. Gentleman's Stiffener...... Does it work on other parts Brian? :P
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Not too good on under arm hair Nick....
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Red rubber bands as left behind by the postperson... :|glug
But you have to be quick, they have been using inferior rubber bands for some time now and they degrade very rapidly on the pavement - probably a "green" measure to justify the cost saving!
Rob.
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Red rubber bands as left behind by the postperson... :|glug
But you have to be quick, they have been using inferior rubber bands for some time now and they degrade very rapidly on the pavement - probably a "green" measure to justify the cost saving!
Rob.
Rubber bands disappeared altogether from our pavement when our postie was been 'upgraded' from carrying a mail bag to pushing a bright red PO pram.
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A picture is worth a thousand words (https://goo.gl/jYq3lf)
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That is quite possibly the most helpful instruction illustration I've seen. Thanks Lester...
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I enjoyed so much reading this thread. It got so funny - until I read Nick Collis Beard's post after taking a sip of beer :|glug ...
Have to find out now how to clean a laptop keyboard. >:E
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Couldn't face another repeat Lewis tonight but discovered that Wet Wipes designed for babies bums are great for cleaning bellows folds and gussets.....honest...
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I've been denied access to see the picture - you said I was on a list Lester, apparently its the list of people who have so far resisted the Google Harvester for collecting people who sign up to their other list :o
Tom Bom, If you are serious, I have found compressed air the best for re distributing beer from under laptop keys, a simple bycycle, football or airbed hand or footpump with a narrow delivery nozzle (old ballpoint pen case can be a handy emergency nozzle) should give enough air jet for first level action.
Alternatively a vacuum cleaner can suck air through fast enough to clear most moisture, it may also collect the keys so some sort of mesh like a coarse cloth might be useful as a 'keystrainer'
Beer, soda, fruit juices etc always leave a deposit, keyboards tend to be reasonably resilient to this but TV / Video type remote controls are not - I always remove the batteries and then rinse in clean water with a drop of detergent before drying.
If you can find a Schraeder Valve Connector to attach to an airline, a cheap and reliable source of compressed air can be found in most streets and off street parking structures, the downside is you have to take the work with you but the upside is it is free and eco friendly.
Typically at around 2 bar initial pressure and several litres capacity there are usually four black toroidal rubber containers of compressed air attached to each car and two to motor cycles (Range Rovers and SUV's are always a good bet due to their high capacity) Lorries might seem to be a similarly good source but can be excessive in their initial pressure and blow your hand off. I have always found tracked vehicles like Bulldozers a complete disappointment.
(note only one paragraph of the above is purely humorous, while entirely true and feasible)
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Broadland Boy, I'm an avid reader of your posts. But I do worry about you sometimes!
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Kind of you but don't worry Edward, Care in the Community suits me a treat and a penny saved is worth a pound in the pocket.
So how many seconds before you Googled or ebay searched for a connector ? ;)
Adhering to the 'if you never made a mistake you aren't trying hard enough' philosophy can still lead to embarrasing moments but people generally understand and some appreciate the effort, like tonight, we had guests so thought it would be nice to make some mulled wine, well the size came off when it warmed up, spoiling the taste and the mull turned to slimy strings - to learn from this an expert needs consulting - fortunately we have our own here, Nick C-B, who I am confident will soon spot the cause of failure and how to avoid a repeat ???
Richard, Village Idiot Aspirant, Bogside-on-Bure
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Oh oh I've just got it! Mulled wine, mull . On a serious note you need to boil it first and THEN add it to the wine, especially if it's a bottle of Blue Monk. Mostly Ethylene Glycol. You could fly Spitfires on bottles of that stuff. >:E
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Unable to face another repeat of Lewes last night I cleaned the bellows folds and gussets with wet wipes designed for polishing babies bums...worked a treat...
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You see how besotted I am with my new baby? I've just realised I've repeated my wet wipe post..... :-[
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Steve-free reeder, having a problem sending you a pm, can you Email me on brianandberti@btinternet.com ref a magnet share out?
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Broadland Boy, thanks for your suggestions. Cleaning with water and drying with air pressure seems a good idea.
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Cheap blow job, sort of.
John
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Silverline-932332-Rubber-Dust-Blower/dp/B004P440C6/ref=pd_sim_229_52?ie=UTF8&dpID=31tpx%2BHH5ML&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL160_SR160%2C160_&refRID=1VMMYPSHDRS0XQ3YQCP3
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Red rubber bands as left behind by the postperson... :|glug
But you have to be quick, they have been using inferior rubber bands for some time now and they degrade very rapidly on the pavement - probably a "green" measure to justify the cost saving!
Rob.
Rubber bands disappeared altogether from our pavement when our postie was been 'upgraded' from carrying a mail bag to pushing a bright red PO pram.
Still get them round here, I use them to retain our PA cables in bundles, avoiding the tangle monster.
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Knew you wouldn't let me down Nick TVM (:)
Brian, had you thought of wiping your bellows down with wet wipes ?
TomBom, just in case you hadn't thought of it, disconnect both power lead and take out battery before watering the laptop and you are not the first and will not be the last to propel a mouthfull of drink into your computer as a result of something on melnet........
Nurse have I had me dinner yet
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The magnets recommended by Lester arrived by turn of post and are now fitted. Very satisfying. Richard BB, do you have any Whammo, the wonder boot exploder left, I've got a key stuck in the workshop door.....
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Good news on the magnets, you do know about using the S pole of them against the stop rods as we are in the Northern Hemisphere ? Don't want those pesky eddy currents bending the low rank reed frequencies down when you are playing North-South or you'll regret splashing all that cash about instead of just bending them 8)
Sorry, used up the last packet of Whammo in about 1973 Brian, however, plenty of Footo left if you have no issues using non vegitarian products. Having some experience in the broken lock line (I was a techie in a high school and you know what the awkward little sods can be like - some of the kids were nearly as bad !) PM me if you need a hand or brainstorm, is this the lock your unwanted visitor gained access through ?
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Wish you had told me about the magnet orientation earlier,Richard. Couldn't understand why she was sitting on her shelf playing quietly to herself. I'll have to sort the magnet problem pronto or we'll never get any sleep. Life can be cruel, the brand new padlock looked great swinging on its brand new hasp....but the bloody key won't come out...and the grinder is locked in behind it......
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You need some Snibbo (cleans everything). ;D
TWOB (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2wy0grLRqKo) scroll to time 22':22''
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WD40, hot spanner? Club hammer maybe?
J
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Wish you had told me about the magnet orientation earlier,Richard. Couldn't understand why she was sitting on her shelf playing quietly to herself.
On her shelf? Thought that with the magnets fitted you would have stuck it up on the fridge door.... >:E
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Have tried temp repair of broken springs with Threadgold's ThoroughGrip Garterettes.
Rob.
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Oh, the shame..had to borrow a Micky Mouse grinder from a neighbour and grind the hasp off...
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Apparently, it's all Donald Trump's fault.
John
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Oh, the shame..had to borrow a Micky Mouse grinder from a neighbour and grind the hasp off...
(http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/MTYwMFgxNjAw/z/50QAAOSwm8VUvs0N/$_1.JPG)
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. (:) (:) (:)
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Silly Silly, keep the sketch going folks ;D ;D
Glad you have solved the problem Brian, but oh the shame, oh the expense :(
As for Mrs Brian's early xmas gift, you know that from hereon whenever you go to a gig you'll be greeted by loads of melnetters shouting "aye Dr Finlay, you'll have had yer tea ?" at you ;)
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Well, he will from this melnetter :D
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Took Brunhilda to Brighton Open Market yesterday (merryChristmas by the way) and from a shady corner of the Kuzina Greek Cafe played her for a hour. Great aircraft hangar spaces are very forgiving are'nt they? My first attempt at busking and it's pretty addictive I find. £12.60 collected for Local hospice. My left arm now feels like it belongs to someone else.....
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Oh, and the Open Market committee are now looking for musicians to perform in that big old space. If any Brighton Melnetters want to give it a go give me a shout....I'm the old boy with the huge left arm....
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Reminds me of the Billy Connolly joke, in which he gave us all a tip, if we indulge in self stimulation.
Lie on your arm for half an hour, or until it goes numb. Then it will feel like someone else is doing it for you.
Which arm did you say, felt alien Brian?
John
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Left arm John, and I've just noticed the palm of my left hand has gone all hairy...
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Surprised you can still see it ::)