Is it built that way?

[James]

When I press on a bass button, two small metal pieces thrust out and they press on two levers (A and B in the picture). Each of the levers lifts a pallet, a big one and a small one. The bigger one uncovers a pair of lower pitch reeds and the small one, a pair of higher pitch reeds. When I press on any of the buttons, the corresponding lifters lift the bigger pallets and the small pallets at the same time but when I press on C button lightly it only lifts the bigger pallet and when I press further the smaller pallet is lifted. Thus, when I press lightly, I hear only the lower reeds play and press harder I hear all the reeds play. The reason is there is a small space between that little metal piece and the lever that lifts the smaller pallet.

My question is "Is it designed that way? Or is it something that needs adjustment?

Could anybody give me some help? Thank you!

 

[Soulsaver]

There should be a very small gap between the 'crook' and the lever. They should all be the same. Ensure the bass mechanism is firmly attached in its correct position, and doesn't move. Use a strip of paper as a feeler gauge and adjust the crook carefully (don't break it ...) so that it only just drags on the paper between it and the lever. If you're renewing bass pallets you'll need to do them all. If you're leaving them as they are you'll be just taking up the slack caused by compression over the years. The engineering term for this process is 'setting the lash'.

 

[debra]

When I press on a bass button, two small metal pieces thrust out and they press on two levers (A and B in the picture). Each of the levers lifts a pallet, a big one and a small one. The bigger one uncovers a pair of lower pitch reeds and the small one, a pair of higher pitch reeds. When I press on any of the buttons, the corresponding lifters lift the bigger pallets and the small pallets at the same time but when I press on C button lightly it only lifts the bigger pallet and when I press further the smaller pallet is lifted. Thus, when I press lightly, I hear only the lower reeds play and press harder I hear all the reeds play. The reason is there is a small space between that little metal piece and the lever that lifts the smaller pallet.

My question is Is it designed that way? Or is it something that needs adjustment?

Could anybody give me some help? Thank you!

It is not designed that way. It requires adjustment so that both pallets open at the same time. Similarly when you press a chord button the pallet for the higher pitch reeds should open for 3 notes forming the chord. These pallets should also open simultaneously.

 

[James]

There should be a very small gap between the crook and the lever. They should all be the same. Ensure the bass mechanism is firmly attached in its correct position, and doesnt move. Use a strip of paper as a feeler gauge and adjust the crook carefully (dont break it ...) so that it only just drags on the paper between it and the lever. If youre renewing bass pallets youll need to do them all. If youre leaving them as they are youll be just taking up the slack caused by compression over the years. The engineering term for this process is setting the lash.

Thank you Soulsavver. I will check. Yes, I am replacing the pallet leathers. Thank you!

 

[James]

Yes, Debra. That does make sense! When I am reminded they should open at the same time to form a chord, I realise they are built to open at the same time. Thank you!

 

[donn]

Sometimes, when I'm sitting around waiting for the dancing to start back up, I amuse myself by holding a button down just enough to bring out the lowest reed. I can't doubt that they're right, the pallets are supposed to open at the same time, but if it doesn't pose a problem in normal playing, then it isn't a problem, right? It might even be an advantage - the largest reeds might take a tiny bit more air to start up, so in the end this may help them all start together. There are probably some notes where this doesn't happen so much, and you might compare them to see which you like.

 

[James]

Well, it does make sense, Donn. Also, sometimes in normal playing, when I just "hit" very briefly a low pitch button like the ones in the bass rows, the hit is so fast and light that only a very brief sound is produced and that brief sound does not seem to consist of all the reeds. That brief sound sometimes is nicer than a "full" sound produced when you "press" the button.

In fact, I would not have this question if this does not happen on my C button.