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[Pat McInnis]

IMG_8447 by Pat McInnis, on Flickr

Alright, I'm hoping that this is the right section to post my build thread. There will be some repetition from my intro but that's how it goes. Here is the quick and dirty story with this melodion. It belonged to my girl's grandfather, who used to play it to her mom way back when. It got shelved for 50 years or so and now I'm going to bring it back. Initially I thought that I would change the key but now I think that I'll just leave it as an AD. It's a personal project and I understand that most people might not put the effort into something so old but I'm not most people. I've also been warned away from re-valving and re-waxing but I'm hoping that with a bit or guidance here that I will be able to pull it off.

Here's my to-do list:

Find an unbroken finger board
Make treble button stop (Theo's method looks like a winner)
replace bass buttons (anyone have a set?)
shoulder strap
possibly seal bellows? they are very worn but actually may not leak
paddle felt
re-valve and wax existing reeds
new grill would be nice but it is literally at the bottom of the list

So as you can see...just everything. Good luck to me.

[Lester]

Find an unbroken finger board - http://www.acorninstruments.co.uk/inst.cfm?instID=25
Make treble button stop (Theo's method looks like a winner) - Correct
replace bass buttons (anyone have a set?) - http://www.cgmmusical.co.uk/CGM_Musical_Services/Hohner_Parts.html#72

[John MacKenzie (Cugiok)]

Pokerwork Grille, easily obtained, should fit that fine.
Refacing pallets is an easy job, as is revalving. Waxing is a bit more skilled, but all it needs is a bit of practice.

SJ

[Pat McInnis]

Find an unbroken finger board - http://www.acorninstruments.co.uk/inst.cfm?instID=25
Make treble button stop (Theo's method looks like a winner) - Correct
replace bass buttons (anyone have a set?) - http://www.cgmmusical.co.uk/CGM_Musical_Services/Hohner_Parts.html#72

Thanks Lester, good links. Would you say that my box is the same as a Pokerwork as far as interchange goes? It would be nice to know what I'm supposed to call it.

[Lester]

Find an unbroken finger board - http://www.acorninstruments.co.uk/inst.cfm?instID=25
Make treble button stop (Theo's method looks like a winner) - Correct
replace bass buttons (anyone have a set?) - http://www.cgmmusical.co.uk/CGM_Musical_Services/Hohner_Parts.html#72

Thanks Lester, good links. Would you say that my box is the same as a Pokerwork as far as interchange goes? It would be nice to know what I'm supposed to call it.

The parts are all interchangeable except the reedbock/fondo gasket which, on the box you have is most probably on the blocks whereas on younger boxes it will be on the fondo.

[Pearse Rossa]

So as you can see...just everything. Good luck to me.

You didn't mention tuning. The reeds will have to be tuned after revalving and waxing.
Before revalving and waxing, the reeds will need cleaning and checking for any malfunction or faults.

[Pat McInnis]

So as you can see...just everything. Good luck to me.

You didn't mention tuning. The reeds will have to be tuned after revalving and waxing.
Before revalving and waxing, the reeds will need cleaning and checking for any malfunction or faults.

Oh right, thanks. It was on my mind list. I'm hoping that the search function on the forum will be my friend. I'll need a lot of guidance for performing these tasks. I'm pretty excited about taking it on.

[Theo]

It might be tuned to 435 rather than 440.  If you see 870 stamped on the blocks it’s 435.  If you see 880 it’s 440, if neither it’s probably 440.   It’s eadier to tune up from 435 to 440 by pre-tuning before you fit the reeds,  but it can be done afterwards, just takes a bit longer.

[Pat McInnis]

It might be tuned to 435 rather than 440.  If you see 870 stamped on the blocks it’s 435.  If you see 880 it’s 440, if neither it’s probably 440.   It’s eadier to tune up from 435 to 440 by pre-tuning before you fit the reeds,  but it can be done afterwards, just takes a bit longer.

Pretty sure it is stamped 435. Is this sort of tuning a doable task for the average human?

[Theo]

If you want to learn tuning you would be advised to practice first on some reeds that don’t matter if you damage them. Most people can learn to tune, same as most people can learn any skill,  but it takes time and practice.

[Rog]

Don’t rely on notation to determine the 'concert' (reference) pitch. You need to work that out for yourself with a tuner... but check the bass side, which will be centred on the ref pitch. You can then determine the tuning scheme of the treble side.

[Tone Dumb Greg]

IMG_8447 by Pat McInnis, on Flickr

Make treble button stop (Theo's method looks like a winner)

Did you notice that Pete's replacement fingerboard (as recommended by Lester)  comes with material to limit the treble action?

[Tone Dumb Greg]

If you keep your eyes open on sites like Ebay and Gumtree you might see another old Honer come up cheap that you could cannabalise for the missing bits. It does happen and it's nice to have parts that match the period.

[Pat McInnis]

IMG_8447 by Pat McInnis, on Flickr

Make treble button stop (Theo's method looks like a winner)

Did you notice that Pete's replacement fingerboard (as recommended by Lester)  comes with material to limit the treble action?

I saw that. No prices listed for that one which makes me a bit nervous. The other one listed is 28 pounds I think.

[Pat McInnis]

If you keep your eyes open on sites like Ebay and Gumtree you might see another old Honer come up cheap that you could cannabalise for the missing bits. It does happen and it's nice to have parts that match the period.

There's actually one up right now missing reed blocks. By the time it landed here it would be over $150.00. There is a BC Erica at my local pawn shop that has been there a long time. Asking $300.00 I might see if I can talk him down. Looks very similar except the grill. I think reed blocks may be different too.

[Steve_freereeder]

Did you notice that Pete's replacement fingerboard (as recommended by Lester)  comes with material to limit the treble action?

I saw that. No prices listed for that one which makes me a bit nervous. The other one listed is 28 pounds I think.

No need to be nervous. Pete's replacement fingerboards are excellent quality and Pete himself is a thoroughly good chap, well known to many of us on this forum.
If there are no prices quoted on the Acorn website at the moment, I suggest you give Pete a call or e-mail to check the price and current availability.
info@acorninstruments.co.uk

[Winston Smith]

"There's actually one up right now missing reed blocks."

Could you post a link for that one please, Pat?

[Pat McInnis]

"There's actually one up right now missing reed blocks."

Could you post a link for that one please, Pat?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Hohner-Leather-Vienna-2-row-Accordion-button-box-Germany-no-treble-reeds/283219113102?hash=item41f12cb48e

Sorry, I'm crappy at doing the hyper link thing. Hope this works. Very similar to my parts CF

[baz parkes]

"There's actually one up right now missing reed blocks."

Could you post a link for that one please, Pat?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Hohner-Leather-Vienna-2-row-Accordion-button-box-Germany-no-treble-reeds/283219113102?hash=item41f12cb48e

Sorry, I'm crappy at doing the hyper link thing. Hope this works. Very similar to my parts CF
[/quote

The link works fine thanks...can't help but feel the seller may be being a tad optimistic....

[Theo]

That seems a high price for something in such poor condition and with no treble reeds.