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Author Topic: Decisions Decisions  (Read 1408 times)

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Pat McInnis

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Decisions Decisions
« on: January 19, 2020, 02:12:39 AM »

So I have this lovely ClubII that i scored from one of our esteemed members. I don't think it's overly collectible or anything, so I'm not married to keeping it original or Club system at all. I'm dying to dig in and make this box a player but not entirely sure what direction to go. I could keep it as a CF and de-club it. Or go a completely different direction. I play C#D and my buddy plays BC and in case you haven't already guessed it, we mostly play ITM. I wondered if Eb/Bb could be tuned from CF? Basses aside. I'm open to suggestions and advice before I dig in.

IMG_9929 by Pat McInnis, on Flickr
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Malcolm Clapp

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Re: Decisions Decisions
« Reply #1 on: January 19, 2020, 04:40:58 AM »

I assume that you meant Bb/Eb. Only two semitones down from C/F, which is quite feasible, depending on the condition of the reeds. Rather than flattening by filing, careful application of solder to the face of the reed tips might be my preferred option, though response speed might suffer by a few nano-seconds. However, done carefully by an experienced tuner, it should work out well.
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Steve_freereeder

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Re: Decisions Decisions
« Reply #2 on: January 19, 2020, 07:26:14 AM »

This will probably have really nice reeds in it, so in my personal opinion it would be a pity to mess around too much with them. De-clubbing is one thing but it is quite another to retune it into Bb/Eb and risk spoiling the response, as Malcolm has hinted at. Yes, it could be done but my instinct is to leave it as it is (other than de-clubbing). If you want a Bb/Eb box, better to get one originally tuned as such. They are out there. Theo has one for sale here.
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WestOz

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Re: Decisions Decisions
« Reply #3 on: January 19, 2020, 08:13:15 AM »

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Theo

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Re: Decisions Decisions
« Reply #4 on: January 19, 2020, 11:12:51 AM »

Or have a look at this glorious sounding three voice BbEb.  Reasonably priced too!

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Theo Gibb - Gateshead UK

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Stiamh

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Re: Decisions Decisions
« Reply #5 on: January 19, 2020, 12:19:17 PM »

Why is Bb/Eb more of interest to you if it's for playing ITM alongside your semitone boxes?

Mark Leue

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Re: Decisions Decisions
« Reply #6 on: January 19, 2020, 12:33:09 PM »

While we're on the subject, is declubbing a IIIb a lost cause because of the shared reed set up on the bass side?
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Anahata

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Re: Decisions Decisions
« Reply #7 on: January 19, 2020, 12:47:47 PM »

So I have this lovely ClubII that i scored from one of our esteemed members.

I have a box that fits that description, and I've kept it in C/F and in Club tuning and I love it to bits.
Don't dismiss the Club system until you've tried it and explored its potential.
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Dick Rees

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Re: Decisions Decisions
« Reply #8 on: January 19, 2020, 03:05:06 PM »

So I have this lovely ClubII that i scored from one of our esteemed members.

I have a box that fits that description, and I've kept it in C/F and in Club tuning and I love it to bits.
Don't dismiss the Club system until you've tried it and explored its potential.

I'll second this!!
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Rob2Hook

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Re: Decisions Decisions
« Reply #9 on: January 19, 2020, 03:31:54 PM »

I've had and still have a few older Hohner boxes and their reeds are of significantly better quality than anything they use in melodeons nowadays.  I had one "car crash" Preciosa rebuilt and retuned from CF to DG which allows minimal re-pitching of individual reeds so the quality isn't completely lost.  Sadly I didn't really like the result as the instrument has a harsher/shriller tone with its flat mounted treble reeds and light, thin basses, especially in the highest pitch tuning!  The normal size or bigger Clubs though have a great sound and I haven't really wished to retune one to DG yet.

A full reed overhaul should make your Club II a lovely sounding and surprisingly responsive box.  I'd be inclined to do this and then see how you get on with it as it is.  Of course, without wracking my brains for weeks in the hope of finding a way to rearrange the reeds to semitone tuning without excessive tuning I'd prefer not to risk it.  Perhaps one of our fettler brethren have a solution? 

Rob.
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Squeaky Pete

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Re: Decisions Decisions
« Reply #10 on: January 19, 2020, 07:28:06 PM »

In reply to Mark.
I've just declubbed a BbEb IIIBF and I found that doing the bass is OK if you go for thirdless chords.
It still sounds very rich and powerful.
« Last Edit: January 19, 2020, 07:30:09 PM by Squeaky Pete »
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Pat McInnis

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Re: Decisions Decisions
« Reply #11 on: January 19, 2020, 10:19:20 PM »

Oh yes, I did of course mean Bb/Eb. I also had a feeling that the argument for keeping the Club system would arise and I'm not totally against that. Just wondering what the mob thought.

Stiamh, to answer your question about why I would want a Bb/Eb system for playing ITM; the easy answer is I don't. I also don't need a CF box but for some reason I have three now. Getting these nicer boxes in good playable shape is the ultimate goal so that they can be sold, traded or just played by folks who drop by. Nothing worse than a dust collecting wall hanger.
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