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[Grape Ape]

Please tell is it isn’t the blue corona you had restored??

[Vallenato831]

UPDATE: I put those reed blocks in another 70's box I have and am getting the same air issue.  So I'm certain the problem is with the reed blocks, but not sure what.  Could be the reeds? 

[Vallenato831]

Please tell is it isn’t the blue corona you had restored??

Sad to say, it is.  Everything else is great about the box, but that air noise is annoying. 

[Vallenato831]

Ok, I think I have narrowed it down to 3 issues, but probably all 3 are contributing. 

1.  Warped reed blocks, cant 100% confirm, but possible.
2.  The edge of the last reed block is only half there.  So the clamp cant get a good enough grip to secure it down super tight.  (see photo).
3.  The screw that clamps down the 2nd to last reed block, doesnt tighten all the way.  It goes all the way down, and keeps spinning. While that block is secured, its not absolutely tight.   So the hole where the screw goes in is probably shot? 

How can I fix issue #2?  Would buying a slightly thicker screw work for issue #3?  As for fixing a warped reedblock, thats beyond my talent.  Hoping fixing #2 and #3 can get it done. 

[Henry Piper]

Please tell is it isn’t the blue corona you had restored??

Sad to say, it is.  Everything else is great about the box, but that air noise is annoying.

I'm afraid that if a set of reeds came back from a fettler allegedly after tuning in that state they would be going straight back …..looks like the work of a rank amateur !!!

[MarioP]

Dude they didn’t use enough wax on those reeds man even with that tiny picture you posted.
My advise would be to stop using the same dude for your reed work.

Perhaps he didn’t make it clear reed work is not included or if you see lots of wax in the box perhaps it melted or got cracked?

If I was you I’d try just waxing but the reeds do seem kinda beat from here..

[Theo]

Ok, I think I have narrowed it down to 3 issues, but probably all 3 are contributing. 

1.  Warped reed blocks, cant 100% confirm, but possible.
2.  The edge of the last reed block is only half there.  So the clamp cant get a good enough grip to secure it down super tight.  (see photo).
3.  The screw that clamps down the 2nd to last reed block, doesnt tighten all the way.  It goes all the way down, and keeps spinning. While that block is secured, its not absolutely tight.   So the hole where the screw goes in is probably shot? 

How can I fix issue #2?  Would buying a slightly thicker screw work for issue #3?  As for fixing a warped reedblock, thats beyond my talent.  Hoping fixing #2 and #3 can get it done.

No 2 to fix this you should cut away the damaged wood and glue a fresh block of wood in place that is slightly larger. Use good quality wood glue.
No 3 to fix the screws they are not gripping you can fill the holes with wood glued in and then drill a new pilot hole of the correct size. The screws in the picture are already larger than the original screws.

[MarioP]

Seriously if you get the button of the reeds waxed up better and between the reeds you’d be getting no air sounds. That reed block picture you posted that has the metal barely touching the reedblock I can see that one having air issues if you do it in as low motion or mark the location where the holes are and then lay it on again make sure those are lining up correctly before fighting the screw that holds it down tight. I still I’m working on my own tunning table just to troubleshoot when it’s a reedblock issue or a bellows issue so far it’s helping with that and then I add wax to the ones that gimme airy sound like it’s and it’s back to normal ..
I’m not home now but I got a sample here https://youtu.be/yg4bn0uCHhU

Again stay away from the dude he’s bad news don’t trust him with your box..
I’ll put a vid together on how to wax it yourself with my play doh clay technique no need for burning wax unless you want to...

Update
Just for the giggles and if you want to go the extra mile I put another cheap fix and insulating in case your box still leaks from the gaskets or even strap holders holes etc: https://youtu.be/Bq5GwMAIQaA

[Vallenato831]

UPDATE:   I managed to fix the hole, and the chipped away wood part.  Still has an air leak.  100% sure the issue is with the reeds or reed block itself, but having a hard time narrowing it down. 

To confirm my suspicions I put another set of reedblocks in the problem accordion, and 0 air leak.  So for 100% sure that the issue is reeds/reedblock.

Any ideas?  Just warped blocks and light on the wax?  Any other possibilities? 

[malcolmbebb]

For clarity, is the air noise present all the time that the reed is sounding, or until it sounds?

Secondly, from a rather blown up extract of the photo, one reed appears to have a corner missing. Is that just a trick of teh light?

[Theo]

My opinion - all the reeds need to be taken off the blocks, all the horrible old wax removed from the reeds and the blocks,  then the reeds can be properly fitted to the blocks. Anything less is a temporary fix.

[Vallenato831]

For clarity, is the air noise present all the time that the reed is sounding, or until it sounds?

Secondly, from a rather blown up extract of the photo, one reed appears to have a corner missing. Is that just a trick of teh light?

The air sounds while playing the note, almost like background noise.  But very audible.  I'm not sure if the reed is missing a corner, i'll have to open her up again.

[Vallenato831]

Here is missing reed wax I found.  This is on the first button plate.

[Lester]

Here is missing reed wax I found.  This is on the first button plate.

The valve is shot as well.

I'm with Theo, take the reeds off the blocks, clean up the reeds and blocks, revalve where needed, rewax with more care, and I expect most of the problems will disappear.

[Theo]

And clean the rust off the reeds too, though that will mean you need to retune as well.

[Henry Piper]

In a previous post Vallenato said that the box was being "Fine Tuned"  I would think rather than try to fix it himself he should take the matter up with the person who did the "Fine Tuning" the workmanship is clearly not of the standard one would expect of a reliable fettler, and although final sound is something of a personal taste, the sound clip he posted did not sound very attractive (at least to my ears). however good the cabinet work is, the whole job seems to have been let down by unsatisfactory reedwork.

[invadm]

if you still cant fix the problem after all, I have 2 full sets of corona II wooden block- empty no reeds- I'll send you set.
I also have a gcf blocks with reeds on them but mostly mixed up- might be a good sours for spare reeds for some one...you see mel net is a good network anything is possible

[MarioP]

Dude I see glue being used also instead of wax on those close ups of the gaps you found which is obvious that’s where the leaks are coming from I agree with the above comments to redo the whole thing BUat if short in time filling the gaps would make those air noises go away as other commented already the craftsmanship isn’t all there but the rush on this job is all there...

*update* heavy on the reeds wax

coil technique sample: (If you ain't shareing your technique you can't comment )
http://anyitsolution.com/preciosareeds.jpg

[Vallenato831]

In a previous post Vallenato said that the box was being "Fine Tuned"  I would think rather than try to fix it himself he should take the matter up with the person who did the "Fine Tuning" the workmanship is clearly not of the standard one would expect of a reliable fettler, and although final sound is something of a personal taste, the sound clip he posted did not sound very attractive (at least to my ears). however good the cabinet work is, the whole job seems to have been let down by unsatisfactory reedwork.

The tuning is MMH on this set of reeds, C#F#B.  I opened up a Paypal dispute.  I told the seller that I'd take the box and have an estimate on what it costs to fix it, and he'll have to refund that amount.  But I'm guessing to rewax and fix the valves is going to be pricey?  Any clue on how much, rough estimate?  If its too much, I'm just going to have to send the box back.  Such a PITA, sending it from USA to South America. 

[Vallenato831]

Thank you all for your feedback and help!  A great community!