Orfeo Bass Machine

[Glug]

Hiya,
I've just started taking the bass machine apart on a 1950s Orfeo LMM to fix a pallet issue.
I've taken pictures and I've removed the counterbass and bass rods, they're taped to cardboard in the right order.

The problem is I can't see how to free the next row of rods (major row), here's what it looks like:


There's a thin band (possibly brass) slotted into the wood between the bass and major rods which is held in place by what looks like staples.


The 'staples' might just be glued but they don't want to move and I can't see how to remove the band without moving them.

Anybody seen this before ?

Cheers,
Gareth

 

[debra]

Not sure who came up with that idea of using staples, because clearly that top strip of wood must come off, and so everything that holds it in place has to go. On accordions I have seen the "strip" you refer to was made of celluloid and in one case possibly nylon. But it's quite possible that in the early days they used brass.
If indeed there are staples you should be able to pry them off.

 

[Glug]

Cheers,
I investigated the 'staples' harder with a Stanley knife and they are short strips of celluloid glued to the wood
The 'brass strip' is indeed celluloid too, it's just brass coloured.

Thanks for the help, full steam ahead ....