Delicia Junior

[jozz]

After I sold my Parrot 80 busker last year, now was the time to get me a new busker.
A nice 26/72 for a small amount and almost no use since purchase by the first owner.

I have a box with goodies from Carini that I'm currently fitting.
It gets a backpad, new straps, and the cheapest internal mic system they offer (2+1 mono).

will report back with end result

 

[debra]

Doesn't look like it's going to be much of an "upgrade" compared to the Parrot. But then you're also spoiled by a very nice Bugari...

 

[jozz]

Doesn't look like it's going to be much of an "upgrade" compared to the Parrot. But then you're also spoiled by a very nice Bugari...

the Parrot had wood, this one is 100% molded plastic/resin + metal including the reed blocks
pretty sturdy construction and I reckon it's perfect for getting rained or beer spilled on

still it has a rather nice feel, and the 26/72 with 16-8-8 is just very flexible in such a small package

 

[debra]

the Parrot had wood, this one is 100% molded plastic/resin + metal including the reed blocks
pretty sturdy construction and I reckon it's perfect for getting rained or beer spilled on

still it has a rather nice feel, and the 26/72 with 16-8-8 is just very flexible in such a small package

Ouch, I have had pretty bad experience with plastic reed blocks plus reed plates held in place using wax. Bad combination when the plastic is not 100% sturdy. The slightest movement in the plastic and the reed plates just fall off because the wax doesn't really hold well to the plastic.
My bad experience was with Weltmeister. No wonder they are in real financial trouble (if not already bankrupt).

 

[jozz]

backpad installed

 

[jozz]

mic's installed
I was a bit excessive with the tape here and there...

 

[kimric]

Looks like a clean install. If you have a soldering iron I would shorten the wires to cut down on the possibility of RF noise. I typically don't use tape since I can't tell you how many times I have had to deal with loose hardware inside of instruments due to the tape letting go. Check the hardness of the wax, some of the instruments from this era had wax that had become very hard and the reeds could come loose. Otherwise a nice busking size.

 

[jozz]

look again..

 

[jozz]

Looks like a clean install. If you have a soldering iron I would shorten the wires to cut down on the possibility of RF noise. I typically don't use tape since I can't tell you how many times I have had to deal with loose hardware inside of instruments due to the tape letting go. Check the hardness of the wax, some of the instruments from this era had wax that had become very hard and the reeds could come loose. Otherwise a nice busking size.

good advice
my strategy is to do a test install first without chopping up anything - if it goes well on stage, it stays on
once the wires 'settle' I will take it apart and do a more permanent fixture, although I have done several of my instruments with this tape and it has never come loose

regarding the plastic blocks and wax, my repairer/tuner warned me about this - incidentally he had some reeds fall off a Delicia as well. But then he also had other boxes with wax on plastic that didn't have problems. So he suggested I just bring it in, then judge what's the deal.

fingers crossed

 

[jozz]

this is also the first time I have used a model with the 'external' SAW filter, as they're usually incorporated on the printboard

 

[jozz]

but hey, it works
pretty even pickup across the keyboard

 

[Dingo40]

but hey, it works

Nice!

 

[Ventura]

the tape letting go.

my habit morphed as i normally keep a tube or 2 of
automotive silicone gasket stuff on my workbench,
and i also have had for ages an assortment of
Dentists stainless steel tools handy (we get them
at local flea markets as thy get re-cycled out) including
many size with various pallet tips

so sure, i use tape or bits of sticky-double-sided
foam tape preferably to get everything set, then
i judiciously line the wires with the silicon and let dry.

end result is far less interference with sound and air flow,
far better, more precise hold, and easy cleanup as wiping
off stainless steel tools is pretty easy.. they are handy as
all heck for reedwork too..

electronically, sometimes we will also fill a plug with
silicon before putting the sleeve on.. the wires can NEVER
be pulled out.. can also completely cover exposed solder joints
instead of tape with this stuff and guarantee nothing will
ever short it out

a bit of saran wrap over the open tune before you put the
cap back on usually prevents hardening

 

[Mr Mark]

Cool!

Always nice to upgrade or change boxes. Pickup sounds really nice (and even). Nice to see clean reeds/valves job installed inside.

I find hot glue works great for permanent wire fixing if you need. Holds great and peels off pretty clean usually.

Curious why you sold the Parrot. I'm all about that (80) bass personally, thus I ask. I literally just finished rebuilding a Welty 80 about an hour ago and am stoked to have the same 5 switch options as you, likewise in a small package! May have to shell out for one of those mic setups!

 

[jozz]

Curious why you sold the Parrot. I'm all about that (80) bass personally, thus I ask.

it was not a bad box for what it was but it needed a lot of tuning
and although I thought about trying it myself, someone came along and bought it outright

I'm all about downsizing right now - so that's were the 26/72 fits in

 

[OuijaBoard]

The current contemporary Delicia Juniors are very playable, especially for folk stuff. I know someone who uses one of the 3-voice 26/72 LMMs professionally rather than his full-size PA. He's a fantastic blues/Cajun/zydeco/Americana stylist who has been performing for probly over 20 years in his own combo and with other bands on one of the wood-chassis re-badged Delicias designed and purveyed by the late Walter Kuhr of the lamented Main Squeeze Accordion shop in NYC's lower East Side.

 

[jozz]

 

[jozz]

Update

After a couple of weeks of (somewhat) regular use, I brought it in for spot tuning.
It needs more tuning and voicing but that is a much more expensive job, unsure if it's worthy yet.

I find the 26/72 enjoyable to play, still getting used to it's quirky L/R balance.

 

[jozz]

slowly putting this thing to good use!

 

[Tom]

slowly putting this thing to good use!

Looking good!