Playing an old accordion

[Croissant]

Hello,
I've recently started playing my gradma accordion- dating back to the 1940s and completely restored by Navini.
I am struggling with the bellows because I suppose, and so my teacher, that it uses more air than it should.
Have you got some advice to give me?
Thanks
Lola

 

[Glug]

Hiya,
Theres a procedure in http://accordionrevival.com/ACCORDION_REPAIR1.php#Air_Leaks to check if youve got unreasonable external air leaks.  That should tell you if youve got a problem or not.

To find out if your leak is internal or external, measure the amount of time it takes the bellows to close under its own weight from the full open position with all valves closed.

If the bellows takes less than 35 seconds to close, it has some external air leaks, as nearly all accordions do.

For too much info on my own experience with fixing air leaks have a look at https://www.accordionists.info/showthread.php?tid=5666


Best of luck,
Gareth.

 

[Croissant]

Thanks for the advice.
I tested my accordion and it looks it has a little air leak. Now I know it was not only my fault.