My first melodion

[nathen]

I just bought my first melodion. It is a vintage Hohner 2 row C/F. I got it as a fixer-upper for $50 (£27). Perhaps someone can identify how old it is. It needed a ton of work, the air button didn't work, half the reed leathers were curled and the other half fallen off. Two reeds were lying on the bottom. And many notes weren't sounding. Plus it needs rewaxing.

So I fixed the air button, fixed all the leathers and managed to free most of the notes. Working on the rest. Its a job in progress. I'll get the wax soon to fix the reeds in place. It has that sweet Hohner tremelo sound. I'm really pleased with this find. I've always wanted a diatonic. I played a Hohner diatonic mouth organ for years so its really familiar.

Its only 6.25 lbs. It has a thumb strap at the back which I don't care for. I'm thinking of putting shoulder straps on that I've seen melodion players with them on their boxes.

Any comments would be welcome. Thanks

nathen

 

[dunlustin]

Careful, these can be seriously addictive!
The place to go for melodeon expertise is melodeon.net

 

[george garside]

looks like a very nice box with potential!. I would strongly recommend 2 shoulder straps ( you may need new strap brackets which are readily available)

definitely worth joining melnet for lots of information and support

george

 

[nathen]

Thanks guys, I did post on Melnet as well. I am going to get a couple of shoulder brackets to put on, I have spare straps I can use. I can see that this is not my last melodion. At six pounds it's just so easy to pick up and just doodle around on it. I can see a one row, and a two and a half just around the corner!

Ahh . . . . When Im noodling around with music, the world and it's demands just disappears.

nathen

 

[george garside]

perhaps the most important decision if acquiring other melodeons is deciding on the system you want to play. Basially there are two systems the so called 4th apart boxes such as CF,GC,DG and the chromatic or semitone boxes eg BC(the most common) CC#,C#D etc. The chromatic boxes have the treble wherewithal for all 12 keys but extremely limited or even useless bass. The 4th apart boxes play best in their home keys and have the benefit of being able to drive a rhythm on the bass.

3 row boxes fall into the same catagories eg ADG ( 4th apart) and BCC# (semitone). The BCC# is chromatic on the treble and only 5 scales are needed for 12 keys BCC# boxes also generally have stradella bass same as a piano box.

There is of course also the true melodeon i.e. the one row, preferably with 4 stops ( 4 voice) most have the economical 2 bass! These play best in their home key but with a bit of faking can manage in 2nd position (to use a mouth organ term) i.e. a G box can manage D but without C# and a D box can manage A but without a G# - hence the need for faking - but they are a wonderful traditional instrument.

george

 

[nathen]

Thanks for the advice Dunlustin but the word 'careful' isn't found in my vocabulary! You're absolutely right, I'm hooked.

Actually I've wanted a diatonic for quite some time but you never see them for sale here, and I'm not into buying boxes from the internet because I like on the spot deals, in other words I like to get miracle deals! Plus I needed to get my pa's first, the pa's that I've got now are just perfect for all my needs.

Well, to cut a long story short, out of the blue, the local store where I bought my Hohner two row, just got in a 60's Hohner three row Corona II GCF that was in perfect playing condition for $350 (£191) . It came in a new gig bag that was worth more than the asking price of the Hohner, plus two instruction books that were worth around $35 (£19). I bought in on the spot and am picking it up next week when I get around to driving my car there, I'm always on my bike when I go anywhere, just like when I was still in school. Love being retired.

Thanks for the info George I found that quite useful. I need all the help I can get. I've got the two row up and running now, and it's great to be able to pick up a 6lb box and just noodle around like I used to on my Hohner diatonic mouth organ. Can't wait to get the Corona which only weighs 9lbs.

Now I have a box for all seasons, and moods. By the way Jarvo, I was really impressed with your youtube clips, it really is nice to be able to play different instruments depending on how you feel on any given day. I too love the ukelele but I'm going to hold off getting one I've got enough to deal with right now. Many years ago I played George Formby in a British Music Hall, 'Leaning on a Lamp Post' playing a banjo-uke. Yup, the good old days. I hasten to add that these days are even better for me!

nathen

 

[nathen]

I've decided to put all new valve leathers on my two row Hohner pokerwork. since I live in Canada I was wondering where the best place to buy them would be. Anyone in Canada or the US have any suggestions?

Thanks

nathen

 

[JIM D.]

Try Here ; -- http://www.bussomusic.com/catalog/

 

[nathen]

Thanks Jim, it looks like a good resource.

nathen

 

[george garside]

Charlie marshal ( google CGM music) will be able to supply your every need together with expert advice. Based in Scotland he posts worldwide

george

 

[jarvo]

Thanks for the advice Dunlustin but the word careful isnt found in my vocabulary! Youre absolutely right, Im hooked.

Actually Ive wanted a diatonic for quite some time but you never see them for sale here, and Im not into buying boxes from the internet because I like on the spot deals, in other words I like to get miracle deals! Plus I needed to get my pas first, the pas that Ive got now are just perfect for all my needs.

Well, to cut a long story short, out of the blue, the local store where I bought my Hohner two row, just got in a 60s Hohner three row Corona II GCF that was in perfect playing condition for $350 (£191) . It came in a new gig bag that was worth more than the asking price of the Hohner, plus two instruction books that were worth around $35 (£19). I bought in on the spot and am picking it up next week when I get around to driving my car there, Im always on my bike when I go anywhere, just like when I was still in school. Love being retired.

Thanks for the info George I found that quite useful. I need all the help I can get. Ive got the two row up and running now, and its great to be able to pick up a 6lb box and just noodle around like I used to on my Hohner diatonic mouth organ. Cant wait to get the Corona which only weighs 9lbs.

Now I have a box for all seasons, and moods.<HIGHLIGHT highlight=#ffff00>[highlight=#ffff00]By the way Jarvo, I was really impressed with your youtube clips, it really is nice to be able to play different instruments depending on how you feel on any given day. I too love the ukelele but Im going to hold off getting one[/highlight]</HIGHLIGHT>Ive got enough to deal with right now. Many years ago I played George Formby in a British Music Hall, Leaning on a Lamp Post playing a banjo-uke. Yup, the good old days. I hasten to add that these days are even better for me!

nathen

A) Thanks for having a look listen...

B) Get yourself a small (soprano) uke..honestly ..they are a blast and easy to get going on if you understand chord theory and playing ...duh youre an accordionist so of course you do.....they are quiet so you can play them almost anywhere (quietly) and little so you can sit on the loo and strum whilst filling the bath or whatever..........

 

[Glenn]

....they are quiet so you can play them almost anywhere (quietly) and little so you can sit on the loo and strum whilst filling the bath or whatever..........

The mind boggles and the steam from the bath water may not do it any good (the uke that is)

 

[nathen]

Thanks Jarvo, I forgot to mention that I did play the uke before as well as the banjo, and I borrowed the banjo uke to perform the George Formby song at the Music Hall. You're right, I am going to get one again, they are really nice to pick up and play occaisionally.

I saw an old Harrison Ford romance movie recently, and when the film ended with the credits playing there was a guy strumming and singing 'Somewhere Over the Rainbow' on a ukelele. It was beautifully played. It just shows you how simple music can be.

By the way Jarvo, I was really moved by your singing and music over the WWI documentary. That really decided me to get a uke. Plus they don't cost an a arm and a leg!

nathen

 

[nathen]

Actually it was the film 'Joe Black' with Anthony Hopkins and Brad Pitt. Nice film.

nathen