Shaun_of_the_red
Member
Now that I've repaired the foundation plate on the reed block side of the bass half of this vintage Dallape dugmetara (thank you!) so that air use is much more efficient, I'm on to repairing the bass mechanism side, on display here in all its glory:
I think a lot of the issues are related to the reeds needing tuning/repair (a couple rattle against their rivets because the reed plate is not properly seated in the wax?) and the leathers don't close right away causing some delay in resonance, BUT there are two other possible issues I've found by inspecting the bass mechanism:
1) The highest row's diminished button (A#/Bb) only moves two levers instead of three. Well, it also slightly moves a third lever but it's not the same one that the Bb diminished button twelve rows below moves when pressed. Am I correct in assuming both should play exactly the same three notes? Incidentally, the third lever that gets slightly opened when I press the tippy top diminished button is the OTHER note in the Bb diminished chord, so it goes unnoticed and isn't dissonant. Is this intentional behavior or something I should fix?
2) The metal brace halfway down that connects the top and bottom of the case and holds the bass mechanism in place is clearly broken and corroded. In its current position ALL the bass buttons operate smoothly but when I put pressure on the metal brace (as if it were reconnected to the case), a few of the the bass button "pistons" begin to bind and get stuck in the pressed position. As soon as I relieve the pressure on the brace, they pop right up. My question is: am I okay simply leaving the metal brace hanging out as seen in the photo? Is the bass mechanism in its proper position right now or could it be better if I replaced the metal brace and reattached it to the edge of the case?
Super grateful for any advice you have for me!
Shaun B.
I think a lot of the issues are related to the reeds needing tuning/repair (a couple rattle against their rivets because the reed plate is not properly seated in the wax?) and the leathers don't close right away causing some delay in resonance, BUT there are two other possible issues I've found by inspecting the bass mechanism:
1) The highest row's diminished button (A#/Bb) only moves two levers instead of three. Well, it also slightly moves a third lever but it's not the same one that the Bb diminished button twelve rows below moves when pressed. Am I correct in assuming both should play exactly the same three notes? Incidentally, the third lever that gets slightly opened when I press the tippy top diminished button is the OTHER note in the Bb diminished chord, so it goes unnoticed and isn't dissonant. Is this intentional behavior or something I should fix?
2) The metal brace halfway down that connects the top and bottom of the case and holds the bass mechanism in place is clearly broken and corroded. In its current position ALL the bass buttons operate smoothly but when I put pressure on the metal brace (as if it were reconnected to the case), a few of the the bass button "pistons" begin to bind and get stuck in the pressed position. As soon as I relieve the pressure on the brace, they pop right up. My question is: am I okay simply leaving the metal brace hanging out as seen in the photo? Is the bass mechanism in its proper position right now or could it be better if I replaced the metal brace and reattached it to the edge of the case?
Super grateful for any advice you have for me!
Shaun B.
