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Author Topic: Hohner Morgane (B/C)  (Read 17805 times)

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risto

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Hohner Morgane (B/C)
« on: November 11, 2007, 12:05:23 PM »

This first overall picture I found from the net.

Treble mechanism

The mechanism is basically the same as in the pre-war Erika with an improvement to stop the button travel on the aluminium cover; felt washers under the buttons keep the stops silent. Felt is also used to prevent the sideways movement of the buttons.  The cover is slightly stepped, measured 1.5mm.

The white stripes on the front edge are cardboard I glued with double-sided tape to temporarily lift the cover to shorten the button travel. For a permanent fix the black plastic rods should be shortened. Pics:

http://www.kolumbus.fi/slowsession/Morgane/Treble_mechanism-1.jpg
http://www.kolumbus.fi/slowsession/Morgane/Treble_mechanism-2.jpg
http://www.kolumbus.fi/slowsession/Morgane/Treble_mechanism-3.jpg

Treble reeds and blocks

Reeds are with aluminium base. The reeds look much the same as those I ordered from another factory in Klingenthal Germany. Erika construction is used for the reed blocks, only the distance of the reeds (and thus air holes) is bigger  than in the Erika Club 21+4 (where the extra reeds are placed at the ends of the blocks). In the first picture you can see an Erika reed block holding the thing in position, in the second picture it is the topmost one. Pics.

http://www.kolumbus.fi/slowsession/Morgane/Treble_reeds-1.jpg
http://www.kolumbus.fi/slowsession/Morgane/Treble_reeds-2.jpg

Bass mechanismhttp://www.kolumbus.fi/slowsession/Morgane/Bass_mechanism-1.jpg
http://www.kolumbus.fi/slowsession/Morgane/Bass_mechanism-2.jpg

Bass reed blocks

For comparison Erika reed blocks shown too.

http://www.kolumbus.fi/slowsession/Morgane/Bass_reeds-chords.jpg
http://www.kolumbus.fi/slowsession/Morgane/Bass_reeds-single.jpg


The bellowshttp://www.kolumbus.fi/slowsession/Morgane/Bellows_1-1.jpg

Playing the thing
« Last Edit: November 11, 2007, 03:39:25 PM by risto »
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Paolo Soprani 5-row, Roland FR1B-digital CBA button accordion. Guitar, 5-string OT banjo, mandolin, piano...
My one man band recording: https://apari.fi/Bonaparte_Crossing_The_Rhine_Risto.mp3

TomB-R

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Re: Hohner Morgane (B/C)
« Reply #1 on: November 11, 2007, 05:52:05 PM »

Fine detailed pictures. Many thanks
Tom
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risto

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Re: Hohner Morgane (B/C)
« Reply #2 on: December 17, 2007, 09:20:03 PM »

Information I received from the German factory concerning the Morgane when asking for better quality reeds:

The reeds are of type T Mensur, same as in the Corona (don't know which version). (Have I just been unlucky with my reeds?)  I am waiting for an offer from them - due in January I hope - of C#/D reeds with new reed blocks. A surprise was that they have no reed blocks for C#/D and it will be a custom job.

I also have an inquiry of a spare bass mechanism with 12 basses and of a second set of an 8 bass mechanism as an option to be installed side by side with the current mechanism to get 16 basses.

I will then let you know how all these turn out.
 
« Last Edit: December 17, 2007, 09:28:46 PM by risto »
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Paolo Soprani 5-row, Roland FR1B-digital CBA button accordion. Guitar, 5-string OT banjo, mandolin, piano...
My one man band recording: https://apari.fi/Bonaparte_Crossing_The_Rhine_Risto.mp3

Theo

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Re: Hohner Morgane (B/C)
« Reply #3 on: December 17, 2007, 11:43:30 PM »

The reeds are of type T Mensur, same as in the Corona

T Mensure are also the standard reed type used in Erica, Pokerwork, Double Ray.

The only difference I can see is that in the Morgane they are tuned swing instead of very wet.

Quote
I also have an inquiry of a spare bass mechanism with 12 basses and of a second set of an 8 bass mechanism as an option to be installed side by side with the current mechanism to get 16 basses.

Interesting ... let us know how it goes....
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melodeon

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Re: Hohner Morgane (B/C)
« Reply #4 on: December 17, 2007, 11:45:51 PM »

So,  the buttons are "mushrooms"  and not the usual  disappears below the fingerboard type

or similar to Castagnari Hascy etc ?
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melodeon

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Re: Hohner Morgane (B/C)
« Reply #5 on: December 20, 2007, 11:36:50 PM »

No Mushrooms ?
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risto

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Re: Hohner Morgane (B/C)
« Reply #6 on: December 21, 2007, 12:17:53 AM »

No Mushrooms ?

That may be the right word used for buttons like that, I'm not sure.
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Paolo Soprani 5-row, Roland FR1B-digital CBA button accordion. Guitar, 5-string OT banjo, mandolin, piano...
My one man band recording: https://apari.fi/Bonaparte_Crossing_The_Rhine_Risto.mp3

Lars

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Re: Hohner Morgane (B/C)
« Reply #7 on: December 21, 2007, 09:31:21 AM »

Aren't they using the same reedblocks as in Double Ray/ Erica?

If so, why would a C#/D job be "custom", as they DoubleRay is available in that tuning? Odd...
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risto

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Re: Hohner Morgane (B/C)
« Reply #8 on: December 21, 2007, 10:40:12 AM »

The Morgane bass mechnism is not available to be bought separately, at least not at present, but they said that the Erica mechanism is almost the same. So I have now ordered two sets of those and Morgane buttons. Probably some additional parts must to be done to make these to go together. I'll keep posting and send some photos when I get them...


Aren't they using the same reedblocks as in Double Ray/ Erica?

If so, why would a C#/D job be "custom", as they DoubleRay is available in that tuning? Odd...

I don't know if the blocks are identical, do you? We'll have to wait 'till January, maybe the person who forwarded my inquiry wasn't all that aware of all the finesses, but we'll see.  PS. "custom" can also mean editing something that already exists...

« Last Edit: December 21, 2007, 10:44:43 AM by risto »
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Paolo Soprani 5-row, Roland FR1B-digital CBA button accordion. Guitar, 5-string OT banjo, mandolin, piano...
My one man band recording: https://apari.fi/Bonaparte_Crossing_The_Rhine_Risto.mp3

oldclubII

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Re: Hohner Morgane (B/C)
« Reply #9 on: January 05, 2008, 12:26:10 AM »

Just got my Morgane in D/G today: superb little box  ;D

The sound is really nice and punchy for a box that size. I like the "mushroom  button" action.

Awesome melodeon for its price. I recommend it!
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risto

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Re: Hohner Morgane (B/C)
« Reply #10 on: January 06, 2008, 09:23:05 AM »

Moved here from other discussions:

Quote

The only difference in the sound is that the Morgane is tuned almost dry.  You could get the same sound from a pokerwork/Erica by changing the tuning.

Hmm, Hohner must have changed this too since last summer because my box (B/C) is so wet that I have to use it as a one voice box, taped off the other set of reeds because of the wetness.  ???

PS. In my box the wetness exceeds what here is described as

http://pagesperso-orange.fr/accordeons.serafini/sons.htm

PPS. 'Vibrato swing minimum' sounds what I would like to have.


There is a nice clip where we can hear a Morgane here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hiTpLfsPpC8

The sound is definitely NOT dry!

Perhaps the first series were (the buttons had a screw in the middle), mine says "Morgane II" on the factory label and it sounds just like the one in the clip.



Hey, thanks for that, that is much much better than this one which is soaking wet.

Mine is Morgane II too.

PS. Read the discussion below the clip, seems that some of us have got wetter boxes than others.

PPS. EDIT: The clip is added in June last summer, I got mine in May but sent it almost immediately back to Hohner for bass change, got it back at the end of June. At the same time I compained about the wetness being too much, so *maybe* the reason is the date of production....
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Paolo Soprani 5-row, Roland FR1B-digital CBA button accordion. Guitar, 5-string OT banjo, mandolin, piano...
My one man band recording: https://apari.fi/Bonaparte_Crossing_The_Rhine_Risto.mp3

Theo

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Re: Hohner Morgane (B/C)
« Reply #11 on: January 06, 2008, 10:02:18 AM »

Very interesting, my comment was based on the one example of a Morgane that I've played, which was tuned with only the slightest amount of tremolo.

The lesson to take from this is that if you order a new box you should give the maker exact instructions about the tuning you want.  Shops should make it clear too that tuning can be customised.
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Theo Gibb - Gateshead UK

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risto

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Re: Hohner Morgane (B/C)
« Reply #12 on: January 06, 2008, 10:13:59 AM »

Very interesting, my comment was based on the one example of a Morgane that I've played, which was tuned with only the slightest amount of tremolo.

The lesson to take from this is that if you order a new box you should give the maker exact instructions about the tuning you want.  Shops should make it clear too that tuning can be customised.


Is it possible for you Theo to tune Morgane reeds so that only the reed blocks are sent to you? I mean, I have a thing going with Hohner (the C#/D blocks etc) but if that turns out too expensive or something I could send my blocks to you instead. (I thought I had someone here to do the job but he is moving to Italy for 6 or so months to study box building.)


BTW. Regarding the spare bass mechanisms, they cost me appr. 68 euros incl. shipping, but they have not yet arrived.
« Last Edit: January 06, 2008, 10:16:19 AM by risto »
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Paolo Soprani 5-row, Roland FR1B-digital CBA button accordion. Guitar, 5-string OT banjo, mandolin, piano...
My one man band recording: https://apari.fi/Bonaparte_Crossing_The_Rhine_Risto.mp3

Theo

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Re: Hohner Morgane (B/C)
« Reply #13 on: January 06, 2008, 11:33:46 AM »

HI Risto

Yes I can do tuning work on reedblocks alone.

I'm not surprised at the price of the bass action.  Hohner put their prices for spare parts up by about 40% recently.  I've had plenty of occasions when I have had to wait 2 or 3 months for parts to arrive from Hohner.
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Theo Gibb - Gateshead UK

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risto

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Re: Hohner Morgane (B/C)
« Reply #14 on: January 06, 2008, 01:58:38 PM »

Quote
Yes I can do tuning work on reedblocks alone.

Great, then I have nothing to worry about.
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Paolo Soprani 5-row, Roland FR1B-digital CBA button accordion. Guitar, 5-string OT banjo, mandolin, piano...
My one man band recording: https://apari.fi/Bonaparte_Crossing_The_Rhine_Risto.mp3

EeeJay

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Re: Hohner Morgane (B/C)
« Reply #15 on: January 09, 2008, 09:38:22 PM »

I tried a Morgane today - light swing tuned, in D/G.

Review in two words - infectiously playable! ;D

Don't know if they were T reeds or XYZ reeds, the sound and balance was so just so sweet and nice I just kept on playing and playing...

I discovered these boxes in France a few years back, and I'm glad Hohner are deciding to release them to World markets. The build quality is incredibly good for the price, and some of the finer elements (button travel, thumb groove, etc.) can be sorted out by a repairman or competent woodworker...

Now... if they can produce the Galaad as a D/G, they're on to an even bigger winner...

Ed J
« Last Edit: March 18, 2011, 07:27:34 PM by EeeJay »
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oldclubII

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Re: Hohner Morgane (B/C)
« Reply #16 on: January 09, 2008, 11:49:57 PM »

Yes, just got one last Friday and can't put it down!

It's driving my wife crazy...
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Lin Leighton

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Re: Hohner Morgane (B/C)
« Reply #17 on: January 10, 2008, 09:30:06 AM »

Hi all
 I agree with all comments posted here that it is a good box for the money.
I tried a Morgane during the summer at a folk festival when asked for advice by a beginner melodeon-player friend who was looking for a beginner box . Based on my playing it there and then at the stall,  I suggested that she bought one.  However, it wasnt until she got it home, and I was asked to try it again that I noticed a small technical hitch - just one small niggle which hasnt been mentioned so far. and it is maybe just me that has noticed this because my hands are so small (and hence why I have difficulties playing my erica and much prefer Tommy), but ....

the base strap is adjustable by a winding nut - but I could not get it to go small enuff to make it tight enuff on my hand - it remained loose and so I was not confidant with it.

as I said, people with "normal" or larger hands would not notice this, so I believe it will only affect a few, but if you have small hands my advice would be to always adjust the bass strap to confirm that it will adjust sufficiently for your needs, whether it is the Morgane or any box.
regards
Lin
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oldclubII

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Re: Hohner Morgane (B/C)
« Reply #18 on: January 10, 2008, 02:21:32 PM »

Talking of straps and belts, I also found that the shoulder straps that come with the Morgane are a bit short for me. I am rather tall at 6'2" and even with the straps set to their maximum length the accordion is a little higher that I would like it to be, especially for the right arm.

The other little thing I found with the accordeon is that some notes sound quite different compared to the others, like they are much "wetter" or "dryer" and this may create a strange effect when playing arpeggios or scales.

But again, who can complain for such a nice a box at such a nice price  ;D
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risto

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Re: Hohner Morgane (B/C)
« Reply #19 on: January 28, 2008, 02:48:24 PM »

The bass mechanisms (2 x 8 = 16 basses) from Hohner finally arrived (a large picture, nees zooming):

http://www.kolumbus.fi/slowsession/Morgane/Erica_bassmechanisms.jpg

This is just the start and it certainly will not be a small or easy job. Before I do anything I need to decide whether to make it a melody bass system or single basses with corresponding 5th chords arranged as Stradella or some other way. I have two sets of new unisonoric bass reeds in one octave from D to D but probably I will be needing more reeds. New reed blocks are required in any case. I have planned to use balsa wood for these as I read an article by Peter Hyde about using of balsa wood.

EDIT TO ADD: The next step I'm taking is to model all these parts and the Morgane bass end in detail with 3D CAD to see how everything fits and to make necessary drawings for parts needed to be made or modified.

---

After Lars wondered about the Erica C#/D reeds fitting the Morgne blocks I asked this from Hohner and the production manager himself promised to order (!?!) standard Morgane reed blocks to check if the Erica reeds will fit in them. Will take at least a month to get more information.
« Last Edit: January 28, 2008, 03:37:44 PM by risto »
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Paolo Soprani 5-row, Roland FR1B-digital CBA button accordion. Guitar, 5-string OT banjo, mandolin, piano...
My one man band recording: https://apari.fi/Bonaparte_Crossing_The_Rhine_Risto.mp3
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