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Author Topic: Hohner 1040 key conversion  (Read 3266 times)

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Pete Dunk

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Hohner 1040 key conversion
« on: August 06, 2020, 06:23:43 PM »


A little while ago I bought a pressed-wood Hohner 1040C that was in a pretty sorry state. Notably the bellows were in need of major refurbishment or replacement, there were cracks around the action boards, reeds falling off the blocks, pallets in a state and straps/fixings missing, also a broken bass button. So, the usual fare, but the woodwork was fairly tidy and the price was right.


I already have a 1040C in the more common Vienna or pokerwork style livery and I like it a lot. What I really wanted was a 1040 in D but I don't think such a thing was ever made by Hohner and I decided to refurb it in C. Anyway, I set to and stripped all of the pallets out and refaced them, limited the treble action, then sorted out various cracks in and around the "soundboards" and replaced the bellows gaskets. In the meantime I'd ordered bellows tape and replacement valve sets for this job and a two row that I also have on the bench at the moment, along with various other bits and bobs from Charlie Marshall.


Then, a couple of weeks ago, I had an unexpected modest windfall and I thought it would be nice to use it to buy myself a keepsake to mark the occasion, then I came up with the idea of making the 1040 into a D box using a new set of reeds that I would be playing for years to come, perfect.


Charlie doesn't stock any loose Hohner reeds, just the ones already mounted on sets of new blocks and suggested I bought some from the C Shop but I didn't fancy that and had a chat with him about using Cagnoni reeds instead. His only reservation was that the Italian bass reeds were mounted on noticably smaller and thicker plates. I also wanted to swap out the standard lowest treble plates to give me a pull B3 on the first button, the easiest thing I could do was use G3/B3 plates and tune the two Gs down to F# but he wasn't sure these would fit the existing blocks. I've had to modify the four bass reed block apertures to make them slightly shorter and narrower which was straightforward enough and the new G/B plates went straight in the treble end which was a bonus. All still to tune up of course but I gave it a quick blast (as you do) and it sounds glorious already!


Pics of refurbished bellows and new reeds to follow, once finished I'll knock up a sound file too. Has anyone else converted a 1040 to D?
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Primo (Serenellini) D/G
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Tiposx

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Re: Hohner 1040 key conversion
« Reply #1 on: August 06, 2020, 07:05:52 PM »

I bought a factory 1040 D from a melnetter in Dorset I think. This was after posting a wanted ad on here  (for any key!) Excellent box, I sold it to a melnetter in USA.
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Frank Pallister

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Re: Hohner 1040 key conversion
« Reply #2 on: August 07, 2020, 12:49:41 PM »

hi  i converted a 1040c using Cagnoni  TAM reeds into D about 20 years ago but stopped playing the melodeon due to RS i play banjo and fiddle and it was interfering ! it sounded great but has not been played for 20 years i should sell it if interested  phone 07792997789
« Last Edit: August 07, 2020, 05:46:26 PM by Frank Pallister »
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Pete Dunk

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Re: Hohner 1040 key conversion
« Reply #3 on: August 07, 2020, 04:21:35 PM »

Pics as promised. Old bellows tape stripped off and cutting new papers for the folds.
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Primo (Serenellini) D/G
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Hohner B/E, G/C, C/F, Bb/Eb G/C/F
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Pete Dunk

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Re: Hohner 1040 key conversion
« Reply #4 on: August 07, 2020, 04:22:58 PM »

Pasting the papers and one side complete.
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Primo (Serenellini) D/G
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Pete Dunk

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Re: Hohner 1040 key conversion
« Reply #5 on: August 07, 2020, 04:27:10 PM »

Long sides taped, ready to start the top and bottom sides.
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Squeezing on the Isle of Oxney, UK
Primo (Serenellini) D/G
Isis D/G
Hohner B/E, G/C, C/F, Bb/Eb G/C/F
Liliputs D/G (G scale), C/F, Bb/Eb, Albrecht Custom D/G (G scale)

Pete Dunk

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Re: Hohner 1040 key conversion
« Reply #6 on: August 07, 2020, 04:28:11 PM »

Taping every other fold to leave room to work. When dry, tape the rest.
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Squeezing on the Isle of Oxney, UK
Primo (Serenellini) D/G
Isis D/G
Hohner B/E, G/C, C/F, Bb/Eb G/C/F
Liliputs D/G (G scale), C/F, Bb/Eb, Albrecht Custom D/G (G scale)

pgroff

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Re: Hohner 1040 key conversion
« Reply #7 on: August 07, 2020, 05:14:00 PM »


Has anyone else converted a 1040 to D?

Yes, I put a mano Binci MM reeds in D into one back in the 1990s and it made a great box!  I'm not sure who bought it and where it is now, but I hope it's still playing away.

You do occasionally come across original 1040 boxes (and related models - i.e. Vienna style 1-row boxes with 10 melody keys, 4 basses, and melody reeds on individual plates, flat-mounted) in D, as was mentioned above. I have an unrestored example of one of these, from the 1930s with nice D reeds on zinc plates. Currently torn between the effort to restore its pretty beat-up bellows and case, or to transplant those nice reeds into a 1950s goldbrand example that's near mint but in the more common key of C.

PG
« Last Edit: August 07, 2020, 05:16:22 PM by pgroff »
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Squeaky Pete

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Re: Hohner 1040 key conversion
« Reply #8 on: August 07, 2020, 07:13:10 PM »

That's coming on nicely, Pete.
The corners look like they haven't suffered too much before you got your hands on it.
My latest one was rubbish!
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Harmonicatunes

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Re: Hohner 1040 key conversion
« Reply #9 on: August 08, 2020, 03:58:07 AM »

I was lucky enough to pick up a Mike Rowbotham 1930's presswood in D from the Melnet buy and sell column. Anyone familiar with Mike's work will know how nicely this instrument has been set up. "D" is marked on the wooden keyboard, so it is in the original key, making it a rare beast indeed.

The 1040s are strident instruments, due to the flat mounted reeds. Mine is a touch mellower, perhaps due to the circa 1930s reeds. Nonetheless, it has tons of punch. I'm glad to have it.
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invadm

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Re: Hohner 1040 key conversion
« Reply #10 on: August 08, 2020, 02:00:38 PM »

 I have two 1040-Vienna in D,original Hohner came in card box.Hohner did make them but in small quantity I'd guess.
I'd be very interested to hear the sound once finished, good job  :||:   
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Pete Dunk

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Re: Hohner 1040 key conversion
« Reply #11 on: August 08, 2020, 06:07:18 PM »

I'll probably come in for some stick as I'm tuning it pretty dry.  :o
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Squeezing on the Isle of Oxney, UK
Primo (Serenellini) D/G
Isis D/G
Hohner B/E, G/C, C/F, Bb/Eb G/C/F
Liliputs D/G (G scale), C/F, Bb/Eb, Albrecht Custom D/G (G scale)

Pete Dunk

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Re: Hohner 1040 key conversion
« Reply #12 on: August 08, 2020, 06:10:26 PM »

I decided to get the reed waxing out of the way next. Out with the old and in with the new.
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Squeezing on the Isle of Oxney, UK
Primo (Serenellini) D/G
Isis D/G
Hohner B/E, G/C, C/F, Bb/Eb G/C/F
Liliputs D/G (G scale), C/F, Bb/Eb, Albrecht Custom D/G (G scale)

Pete Dunk

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Re: Hohner 1040 key conversion
« Reply #13 on: August 08, 2020, 06:19:16 PM »

I decided to tackle the broken bass button next but the lot had to come off to bush the holes out. I was a bit pensive about removing the old buttons but in the end it was just a careful tug-o-war!
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Squeezing on the Isle of Oxney, UK
Primo (Serenellini) D/G
Isis D/G
Hohner B/E, G/C, C/F, Bb/Eb G/C/F
Liliputs D/G (G scale), C/F, Bb/Eb, Albrecht Custom D/G (G scale)

Pete Dunk

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Re: Hohner 1040 key conversion
« Reply #14 on: August 08, 2020, 06:20:54 PM »

I then uncoupled the lever springs and removed the bass mech from the box.
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Squeezing on the Isle of Oxney, UK
Primo (Serenellini) D/G
Isis D/G
Hohner B/E, G/C, C/F, Bb/Eb G/C/F
Liliputs D/G (G scale), C/F, Bb/Eb, Albrecht Custom D/G (G scale)

Pete Dunk

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Re: Hohner 1040 key conversion
« Reply #15 on: August 08, 2020, 06:25:08 PM »

I straightened out the levers and bent them here and there to get the lengths even. I then reamed out the button holes (good job I already had a violin peg reamer).
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Squeezing on the Isle of Oxney, UK
Primo (Serenellini) D/G
Isis D/G
Hohner B/E, G/C, C/F, Bb/Eb G/C/F
Liliputs D/G (G scale), C/F, Bb/Eb, Albrecht Custom D/G (G scale)

Pete Dunk

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Re: Hohner 1040 key conversion
« Reply #16 on: August 08, 2020, 06:27:07 PM »

Then cut and fitted felt bushing. Sorry about all of the single posts but most of my pics are slightly too big to get two in a post!
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Squeezing on the Isle of Oxney, UK
Primo (Serenellini) D/G
Isis D/G
Hohner B/E, G/C, C/F, Bb/Eb G/C/F
Liliputs D/G (G scale), C/F, Bb/Eb, Albrecht Custom D/G (G scale)

Pete Dunk

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Re: Hohner 1040 key conversion
« Reply #17 on: August 08, 2020, 06:29:08 PM »

Refitted the bass mech, all ready to fit the buttons.
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Squeezing on the Isle of Oxney, UK
Primo (Serenellini) D/G
Isis D/G
Hohner B/E, G/C, C/F, Bb/Eb G/C/F
Liliputs D/G (G scale), C/F, Bb/Eb, Albrecht Custom D/G (G scale)

Pete Dunk

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Re: Hohner 1040 key conversion
« Reply #18 on: August 08, 2020, 06:30:38 PM »

One new button looked a bit odd really so I fitted a complete new set. Time for tuning!
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Squeezing on the Isle of Oxney, UK
Primo (Serenellini) D/G
Isis D/G
Hohner B/E, G/C, C/F, Bb/Eb G/C/F
Liliputs D/G (G scale), C/F, Bb/Eb, Albrecht Custom D/G (G scale)

Pete Dunk

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Re: Hohner 1040 key conversion
« Reply #19 on: August 08, 2020, 06:41:35 PM »

Tuning started today and may be finished by tomorrow, I'm pretty slow at tuning!
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Squeezing on the Isle of Oxney, UK
Primo (Serenellini) D/G
Isis D/G
Hohner B/E, G/C, C/F, Bb/Eb G/C/F
Liliputs D/G (G scale), C/F, Bb/Eb, Albrecht Custom D/G (G scale)
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