Hohner Verdi 1V c1939 Overhaul.

[boxplayer4000]

AccordionistsForum


Earlier this year when the downturn in activity caused by the pandemic kicked in I decided to attempt an overhaulof this Hohner Verdi 1V (I think its 1939 vintage). Normally an accordion of this age would not be a viable overhaul option but these are not normal times and I felt the need to be kept occupied and busy.


All reeds, treble pallets, keyboard, bellows parts and bodywork have had attention. A broken coupler part was replaced and the bass end cover became increasingly deformed/concave over the period of the overhaul and


began to impede the movement of some bass parts and this was renewed.


Because there is only one treble coupler which acts on the bass/low reed the tuning process was a bit harder because couplers could not be used to isolate and listen to individual reeds. Also the bass reed block


holding the largest two sets of reeds is glued in and I could not work out how to remove it without damage to the woodwork. The bass reeds were given attention in situ.


The treble reeds are arranged LMMM and I have given them a wide musette, wider that I have ever done before,and I think it is near what is described as ’Scottish’ musette. It’s not everyone’s taste but is popular in this area.





This is short video of how it sounds:


https://www.dropbox.com/s/0rxaznh5q1rdsxv/Verdi1VVideoRed.mp4?dl=0





This is a short sound clip of it playing on a recording I made earlier and where I have replaced the ‘lead’ accordion with the Verdi. The 4 bar intro is a Morino accordion and the tune is ‘The Argyll Arms Ceilidh’.

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[TomBR]

Well done you! As you say, it might not be commercially viable but it's great that you've been able to restore it to playing condition. It sounds and looks really good and that's some very tasty playing on the sound clip too.
A glass raised to you and your wee box, good work!
Tom

 

[boxplayer4000]

Thanks Tom.
I was surprised and pleased that the 1930s reeds responded so well.
The keyboard is awkward after being used to the more modern, lighter, shallower and faster ones but is perfectly acceptable if you steer clear
of reels and fast stuff.

 

[debra]

The Verdi series was one of the best lower-end series Hohner ever made. Good quality reed blocks. Not the best reeds, but very reliable. (They use a bit more air but they work also in cold temperatures.) If we ignore the cost of a commercial restoration this instrument is certainly worth the effort to bring it back to life!

 

[Dingo40]

Well done, Tom!

 

[boxplayer4000]

Paul,
I have a soft spot for Hohner anyway and never fail to be amazed at their longevity. It's a constant testimony to the material used and the craftsmanship. However I do appreciate the refinements of Italian instruments too.
I'm interested in your comment regarding air consumption of the Verdi. I tried to covered all the 'air leak' places on the Verdi except the bass pallets.
I find my Morino 1VM bass end likes a lot of air as well and as I don't use or need the full bass range in the work I do I have shut off the larger bass
reeds. I did the same with the Verdi which makes it more comfortable to play.
Thanks for your comments

 

[boxplayer4000]

I'm still tickled pink with this old beauty of an accordion and recorded along to another set of marches I made some time ago and recorded over the top of the Morino. The tunes are 'Hills of Mull' by Calum McLean who lives on Mull, 'The Earl of Dalhousie' by Neil Gow and a Canadian tune without a name.

Dropbox

www.dropbox.com

 

[dobieg]

Lovely instrument!

I have an older verdi which has seen better days, and suffered some unsympathetic restoration, but it cost me all of twenty quid andt I can recognise quality workmanship when I see it, so it's on the back-burner until I can develop the skills needed t do it justice!