Can I measure my wetness this way?

[Morne]

Using an app on my phone I get the following information (reference=440Hz):

C4 | + 9.5c | +30.5c
C5 | +7.7c | +27.7c
C6 | +11c | +31.8c

The first measurement is with the straight M, the second measurement is with the sharp M (I have a register for it).

Despite it possibly telling me that my instrument is a bit sharp overall, would the conclusion of this topic be that my MM tremolo is around 20 cents?

 

[debra]

Either your instrument is wrong or your tool (on the phone) is wrong.
The difference between the two M's is normally measured at the A (440) and the difference in cents should get become larger as you go lower and smaller as you go higher. The number for C5 indeed suggests the MM tremolo is around 20 cents. But at C6 the tremolo should then go down to around 15 cents or even lower, otherwise it starts sounding really bad.
That everything is + indicates that your instrument is probably tuned to A4 = 442Hz which is not uncommon. There again C6 is then too high.
What you could try to get a better reading is to tell the phone that A4 = 442Hz and then measure again.

 

[Morne]

Alright, this is what I get with A4 = 442Hz:
G3 | -3.7c | +21.1c (lowest)
A3 | -4.5c | +17.5c
A4 | -2.6c | +18c
A5 | -1.4c | +17c
G6 | -2.2c | +13c (highest)

The instrument isn't in 100% condition and some of the leathers need a slight bit of help. I actually have a problem with my C6 because it reacts slow. On very low pressure the B and the D around that C will sound whereas sometimes the C will not. That might be why the reading seems wrong. The B and the D also give a difference around ~15c.

 

[JIM D.]

Your valves, Leather or Ventilli must be in good shape and seal properly. A reed installed inside of an accordion with a valve not sealing properly will result in the change the of the pitch of a reed tongue. From what you have posted, I really think you will need some tongue cleaning and valve replacement. What do have for a box ?? Depending on make, model, origin and date of manufacture - some boxes were made 440Hz and some 442Hz.

 

[Morne]

It is this Italian Mengozzi I posted before:
http://accordionists.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=25&t=2778&p=28782

I agree regarding valve replacement. The problem is, the only tuner Ive physically gotten hold of is around 80 years old and he said that compared to the instruments he usually fixes up, that one is like a Rolls Royce. So he actually said he didnt want to work on it, because its in good enough shape. I asked specifically about the valves and he said theyre good enough, so I didnt push him any further. There was also an issue with a spine on the bass A note that I ended up straightening out a bit myself. He still services accordions in the area and I havent found anybody else yet, so this is something I would like to learn to do, but Id need to find a willing organ donor to experiment on first.

Since I play in the MM register most of the time, and I only ever accompany myself, I havent yet found myself sounding that much out of tune .

 

[Rogerthomas]

You can get a trial copy of Dirk's accordion tuner, which won't let you measure all the notes, but would be instructive to compare against your readings. Dirks tuner can measure up to three reeds sounding at once, and will also show you the rate of tremolo (the beats per second) for each note, which is the thing you actually hear when you are playing. Also, take a reading for each note in your sample (if you try Dirks Tuner it blocks some notes in the trial) on the push *and* pull of the bellows, as this operates a different reed and you'll get different readings for the same note. Your instrument will be tuned to its particular scheme/profile. It's important to work out what that is before you alter anything. It provides you with a home target.

 

[debra]

The new values sound reasonable: tremolo in the highest note is lower and in the lowest note is higher, as it should be. And with 20 cents it is a reasonable tremolo, not too extreme. But indeed the instrument is only just a tad low for A=442, so it is definitely not 440.
I use Dirk's accordion tuner to tune instruments. The trial version will let you check a few notes, so for what you did it's good enough but buying it would be overkill for just checking one instrument.