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Author Topic: Adjust wrist strap  (Read 2653 times)

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Yogibear

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Adjust wrist strap
« on: July 31, 2014, 05:56:05 PM »

Hello. As a new player of the melodeon I am still a one handed player. However the person teaching me is talking about using the second hand to press buttons as well as push and pull. My problem is that the wrist strap will not adjust tight enough, I have had a look inside and its beyond my ability. Can anybody recommend somebody in the South Devon area that could fix it for me.

Thanks.
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Sebastian

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Re: Adjust wrist strap
« Reply #1 on: July 31, 2014, 07:25:32 PM »

You could try to stuff a towel (or a cushion) between your wrist and the strap. There are some pictures in the web showing players to use this work-around.
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John MacKenzie (Cugiok)

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Re: Adjust wrist strap
« Reply #2 on: July 31, 2014, 07:44:13 PM »

Better if we know what model box you're learning on.

John
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pikey

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Re: Adjust wrist strap
« Reply #3 on: July 31, 2014, 09:01:25 PM »

Try arching your hand against the end of the melodeon and the strap. That will also give you a better position and more control. Look at my videos on YouTube (search for Pikeyh) to see what I mean.

Cheers

Pikey.
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malcolmbebb

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Re: Adjust wrist strap
« Reply #4 on: July 31, 2014, 10:48:08 PM »

If you can make it to South Zeal for about 10-ish on the Sunday of the Dartmoor Folk Festival, or to any of the King's Arms daytime sessions, there will be numerous box players around.
I'll be there for the festival, might not be able to sort your problem but could have a look and a chat.

Send me a personal message (PM) if you think you can make it.
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pikey

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Re: Adjust wrist strap
« Reply #5 on: July 31, 2014, 10:51:58 PM »

Alternatively come to the Sailing Club in Sidmouth next Tuesday pm, when there will be quite a few if us who can have a look for you.
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malcolmbebb

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Re: Adjust wrist strap
« Reply #6 on: July 31, 2014, 10:59:20 PM »

Or as well, of course  ;D
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Helena Handcart

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Re: Adjust wrist strap
« Reply #7 on: August 01, 2014, 12:24:16 AM »

It might help to know what sort of box you are playing  - does it have an adjustable bass strap and if so it is a buckle/velcro/rotella fitting?

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t-tone

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Re: Adjust wrist strap
« Reply #8 on: August 01, 2014, 08:14:58 AM »

Specific to South Devon, you could perhaps try talking to Nigel Sture Concertinas in Frogmore or Accordions South West in Totnes. Google brings up some details, but I have no direct experience of either. As far as I know there is nobody advertising melodeon-specific repairs locally. The trade stands in the Blackmore Gardens at Sidmouth next week might be another option.

Personally, I use a beer towel secured with a clothes peg. You might want to consider this or similar while you establish how tight you want the strap to go (and that might change as you get more proficient)

Tony
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Steve_freereeder

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Re: Adjust wrist strap
« Reply #9 on: August 01, 2014, 08:36:01 AM »

My problem is that the wrist strap will not adjust tight enough, I have had a look inside and its beyond my ability.
It might help to know what sort of box you are playing  - does it have an adjustable bass strap and if so it is a buckle/velcro/rotella fitting?
If your instrument doesn't have any sort of adjusting feature for the LH strap such as Helena describes, then it is likely to be secured to the casework of the instrument by a couple of screws at each end of the strap. The Hohner Pokerwork and Erica, and similar models have this arrangement. In this case it is relatively easy to adjust the strap tension by (a) removing the screws on the underneath end of the strap (for neatness' sake); then (b) make a couple of new holes in the leather strap in the required place using a bodkin, nail, or similar sharp pointy thing; and (c) refixing the screws through the new holes in the strap. You don't need to open up the instrument to do this.

In the case of a buckle adjuster, simply make a new hole in the strap for the buckle point to go through. A velcro adjuster ought to be able to be tightened up sufficiently for even the smallest hands. A rotella nut adjuster might not pull in the strap sufficiently even at the tightest setting. In this case, you might need to shorten the strap a little bit at the opposite end to the adjuster. The strap is usually secured to the body of the instrument by a couple of screws passing through a brass or chrome plate. Unscrew the plate, make new holes in the end of the strap and resecure the plate. You may need to cut off any excess length from the end of the strap in order to refix the plate snugly.  Again - you should not need to open up the instrument to make any of these alterations.

Hope this helps.
« Last Edit: August 02, 2014, 08:31:59 AM by Steve_freereeder »
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Rob2Hook

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Re: Adjust wrist strap
« Reply #10 on: August 01, 2014, 01:21:50 PM »

Some good suggestions given.  If you're willing to make a little investment, I'd suggest that once you find someone to wield the screwdriver, get them to fit a replacement velcro adjusted strap from CGM.  You can then let others play your box without wrenching the strap off and can adjust to suit conditions ( I find straps feel tighter in warm weather).

Rob.
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Graham Spencer

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Re: Adjust wrist strap
« Reply #11 on: August 01, 2014, 04:02:38 PM »

( I find straps feel tighter in warm weather).

Rob.

Hey, what you do in the privacy of your own home......   ;)
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Rob2Hook

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Re: Adjust wrist strap
« Reply #12 on: August 02, 2014, 12:56:46 AM »

Hey, what you do in the privacy of your own home......   ;)

Yes, fine - but it's better not to be wriggling in discomfort when playing out!  Just don't get me onto the subject of backstraps - a necessary evil.

Rob.
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