How do i convince a client

[Sebastian Bravo]

hi to everyone.

I recently fully restored a Hohner Mignon accordion. These were the works:

-Rust removal on almost all reeds
-New Wax
-New valves
-Complete tuning
-New bellows tape
-New straps
-Polished the grill
-Un-sticked some keys

He got very happy with all the work. But he says that "The bass sound weaker than before".

I can't feel it since i didn't played it when out of tune.

How can i convince him? because it's obviously not possible to achieve a louder sound (Even if it sounds louder and better than a cheap chinesse 8bass plastic accordion)

 

[debra]

It is quite possible that the work you did made the treble side sound better and (subjectively or even objectively) louder. The client then experiences this as if the bass is now weaker. But it is just the balance that may have shifted a bit.

 

[Geronimo]

Loudness and response are related to the reed clearance. Smaller clearance leads to better response, smaller end loudness, and larger danger of reeds choking or not responding at all. So once one has reached optimum clearance for good response (rule of thumb: about the clearance of one reed thickness), one can still sacrifice response in return for larger end loudness.

So I wouldn't say "it's obviously not possible to achieve a louder sound" but once you pass a certain point, there is a cost. And cheaper reeds bottom out earlier anyway and respond worse. And the kind of accordion you show is definitely not one where one would expect better than machine reeds.

 

[TomBR]

Is the reed gapping right? Are the bass reeds speaking as freely as the treble?
Edit: Cross-posted with Geronimo

 

[Geoff de Limousin]

We know that a wet tuned accordion sounds , or appears to sound , louder than the same accordion 'dry' tuned... so if your work has substantially improved the tuning then it might well be that the instrument does not produce the same apparent loudness. Perhaps your tuning work has made the basses and chords more homogenous , sweeter ?

 

[JerryPH]

Welcome to the world of customer service... where you find VERY few satisfied clients, no matter what you did.

 

[Sebastian Bravo]

The reed gaps were adjusted when tuning, to the rule that Geronimo mentions.
Geoff, it can't be wet tuned, as the keys have just 1 reed per key
Basses are 1 reed per bass button and 3 reeds per chord button

I think i can't do anything to get that "louder" sound, maybe putting something under the treble grill to silence it a little...

 

[TomBR]

The reed gaps were adjusted when tuning, to the rule that Geronimo mentions.

The rule is a good starting point, but its often necessary to move away from it. Were you using a tuning bellows or tuning in the instrument itself?
The small bellows of a Mignon will easily generate higher pressure than accordion bellows of more typical size and that could affect the reed gapping.
I have a Mignon in the cupboard at home, Ill get it out and compare treble and bass.

 

[debra]

Welcome to the world of customer service... where you find VERY few satisfied clients, no matter what you did.

That is indeed a very true statement. So far my experience is mostly positive. One customer (quote, because so far I have done everything for free) was in tears of joy. Most are just happy. Some think that anything I do is trivial...

 

[Geronimo]

Welcome to the world of customer service... where you find VERY few satisfied clients, no matter what you did.

That is indeed a very true statement. So far my experience is mostly positive. One customer (quote, because so far I have done everything for free) was in tears of joy. Most are just happy. Some think that anything I do is trivial...

Well, most of it should be trivial once one has practiced for a few decades. Still takes time and focus, though. There is the apocryphal story of a Chinese emperor who commissioned a drawing of a rooster. The artist postponed and postponed delivery for years until the emperor got his entourage and travelled to the artist, insisting that he would not leave without his drawing. The artist pulled up a canvas (or what you call it in Chinese stories), made a number of determined brush strokes and after few minutes handed the emperor a perfect drawing of a rooster in immaculate style.

The emperor was fuming. What kept you so long?. The artist opened the door to his house. It was filled to the roof with drawings of roosters.

 

[jozz]

Just say you did it on purpose and balanced it out better than before :mrgreen:

 

[debra]

Just say you did it on purpose and balanced it out better than before :mrgreen:

Thats a great suggestion! But I guess it sounds more convincing when you are a certified accordion repairer than just a good amateur... (Im going to take courses in Castelfidardo to become more convincing;-)

 

[jozz]

Im going to take courses in Castelfidardo to become more convincing;-)

they might teach you italian hand gestures while a-talking to a-customars :tup:

 

[TomBR]

I got my Mignon out of the cupboard. I did a revalve, tune and general refurb on it a few years back.

I'd describe it as loud and raucous, very zingy Hohner tone, the bass is loud but quite well balanced with the treble.
It's a 12 bass.

 

[Sebastian Bravo]

Thats a great suggestion! But I guess it sounds more convincing when you are a certified accordion repairer than just a good amateur...

It is true, it is more convincing from a certified accordion repairer. I know im a good amateur (Ive tuned more than 50 accordions and ive been doing it for 1 year and some months) But he said so you can tune a 120 bass but a small 8 bass won this time!, i had no words, but now i know that it sounds weaker because the chords are tuned correctly, and as Geoff de Limousin said, that wet timbre feels louder, and that maybe was the thing on the bass reeds, that was out of tune, generating tremolos that somehow sounds/feels louder

Thanks for all the responses and suggestions! I got the best response for him!