Building a tuning workbench

[stickista]

i’m struggling with the fact that even minor tuning issues can blow me out of the water and access to a technician who can do even small jobs in the SF bay area with less than a six month delay is nearly impossible.
So I’m thinking it’s time to build up some basic tuning chops and I’m wondering if anyone has ideas for a basic tuning workbench for small jobs.
What are the basic tools one needs?
Some sort of electric tuner I assume? Specific recommendations? Bellows rig? Tools? And most important resources?

 

[debra]

To start with tuning, for "small jobs", you don't really need a "tuning workbench".
Even though I have one (with "tuning bellows") you can do most of what the tuning table is used for by just using the accordion itself.
You can check the tuning using a tuning app you a smartphone, write down the deviations, then make adjustments by filing or scratching.
The site accordionrevival.com explains a lot about accordion repair.

 

[stickista]

To start with tuning, for "small jobs", you don't really need a "tuning workbench".
Even though I have one (with "tuning bellows") you can do most of what the tuning table is used for by just using the accordion itself.
You can check the tuning using a tuning app you a smartphone, write down the deviations, then make adjustments by filing or scratching.
The site accordionrevival.com explains a lot about accordion repair.

Thanks for the link. Looks like a great resource.
I’m thinking of finding a cheap melodica that I can experiment on.

My current problem is that one of the reeds on my lowest Eb on my bandoneon is off (only on pull), and I’m at a loss as yo how to determine whether its the low or high note since they always sound in unison. (Kinda what makes a bando a bando.)

 

[Big Squeezy Accordions]

Thanks for the link. Looks like a great resource.
I’m thinking of finding a cheap melodica that I can experiment on.

My current problem is that one of the reeds on my lowest Eb on my bandoneon is off (only on pull), and I’m at a loss as yo how to determine whether its the low or high note since they always sound in unison. (Kinda what makes a bando a bando.)

As one who tunes accordions and melodicas regularly, they are very different. With accordions, you have to deal with reed leathers or ventiles and reed wax. These are often the cause of a reed going out of tune. Also, accordions have steel reeds which tend to rust, whereas melodicas have brass reeds which are more delicate and easier to damage. Melodicas are also more susceptible to swings in pitch depending on air pressure. To get around this, I adapted a CPAC machine to ensure a consistent air pressure. Accordions should be tuned, whenever possible, with the reed blocks secured in the instrument, with a tuning bellows over which you can fit the entire keyboard or bass section.

 

[debra]

Thanks for the link. Looks like a great resource.
I’m thinking of finding a cheap melodica that I can experiment on.

My current problem is that one of the reeds on my lowest Eb on my bandoneon is off (only on pull), and I’m at a loss as yo how to determine whether its the low or high note since they always sound in unison. (Kinda what makes a bando a bando.)

There are programs that can measure the reeds together, like Dirk's Accordion Tuner.
But the first approach you can take is to tape off one of the reeds to then measure the other, and then vice versa. It is possible that the reeds influence each other so don't trust what you measure completely, but you can tell which note is higher than the other (minus the octave difference).

 

[JKJ]

i’m struggling with the fact that even minor tuning issues can blow me out of the water and access to a technician who can do even small jobs in the SF bay area with less than a six month delay is nearly impossible.
So I’m thinking it’s time to build up some basic tuning chops and I’m wondering if anyone has ideas for a basic tuning workbench for small jobs.
What are the basic tools one needs?
Some sort of electric tuner I assume? Specific recommendations? Bellows rig? Tools? And most important resources?

The guy I know who repairs and tunes made a foot-operated tuning bellows that clamps to the front of his workbench - unlike some I’ve seen, the top remains horizontal and he can use both hands to hold the reed block in place. I’ve seen several designs on the web and in videos and so far I like his method best.

He gave me an old bellows to make one. I currently use the PanoTuner app on my an iPad to check and tune various things. It’s easier to see and use than the old spinning disk strobe-type tuner I used to touch up pianos. I hope to locate an old accordion to practice tuning and repair. (some day…)

As one who tunes accordions and melodicas regularly, they are very different.

What method and tools do you use when tuning melodicas? One reed on one of my Suzuki melodicas is a little off (it has tapered phosphor bronze reeds). I’ve watched and read some stuff on the web including this: https://melodicaworld.com/how-to-tune-a-melodica/

Is there some easy way to test the reed without reassembling the melodica each time?

JKJ

 

[Big Squeezy Accordions]

The guy I know who repairs and tunes made a foot-operated tuning bellows that clamps to the front of his workbench - unlike some I’ve seen, the top remains horizontal and he can use both hands to hold the reed block in place. I’ve seen several designs on the web and in videos and so far I like his method best.

He gave me an old bellows to make one. I currently use the PanoTuner app on my an iPad to check and tune various things. It’s easier to see and use than the old spinning disk strobe-type tuner I used to touch up pianos. I hope to locate an old accordion to practice tuning and repair. (some day…)



What method and tools do you use when tuning melodicas? One reed on one of my Suzuki melodicas is a little off. I’ve watched and read some stuff on the web including this: https://melodicaworld.com/how-to-tune-a-melodica/

Is there some easy way to test the reed without reassembling the melodica each time?

JKJ

You can use a regular accordion reed scratcher to lower the pitch. For raising pitch, fine sandpaper is preferable to files. You can also use a small piece of fine sandpaper to lower the pitch if you don't have a scratcher. The thing is to be very gentle, trying not to bend the reed and alter the gap between reed and plate. Always support the reed when scratching. As I stated, I use a CPAP for tuning a whole melodica. You can just use your breath for minor spot tuning. The melodica will have to be assembled to test the reed, though you do not need the outer case for most melodicas. Depending on the melodica, I can usually manage to do this without putting the numerous screws in every time by taping one side of the air chamber cover to make a sort of hinge, then holding it in place as tightly as possible using either my hands or, if possible, a spring clamp. You will want to tape over the screw holes, as any air leakage will effect pitch. I tune two octaves at a time, as a single note will tend to be a bit sharper than when several notes are played simultaneously. If you have one reed that is very flat, you probably have a cracked reed, in which case you may as well replace the whole instrument. It's possible to make a new reed, but that is outside of my experience. You may be able to just replace the reed plate, but that would probably be most of the cost of a new instrument anyway. I tune melodicas a bit sharp, say A441, because when you play loudly, say with a brass band, the pitch will dip. Also, melodicas go out of tune as you play and your breath condenses on the reeds. It's an imprecise science - even more so than accordion tuning!

 

[JKJ]

Thanks. No CPAP here but I have several air pressure generators and can rig up something to adjust the air pressure if needed.
The one on which I want to tune a read is a relatively new melodica and in taking it apart to inspect I saw nothing unusual. I bought several for the grandsons that were very cheap which I wouldn't hesitate to replace if needed but this one was about $250 so I'll try to tune that one reed.

The two Cahays I bought a few months ago were excellent but my brother bought one for his granddaughter and some of the reeds didn't play. Fortunately, Amazon makes returns/exchanges easy. (The black Cahaya is only $23 on Amazon right now.)

JKJ