reed sticking

[donn]

Lower C in the main register is sticky - when pressing air out, it just moans faintly for a fraction of a second and then pops loose and sounds normal. Works OK when pull air in - but both ways, there's a bit of whistling that isn't present on the other notes. I've read through "TROUBLE-SHOOTING SILENT REEDS" on accordionrevival.com, but don't see this particular syndrome discussed there; I've poked around the reed tongue in case there's anything stuck in there, but without really fixing anything (though sometimes it seems like it sticks for a shorter time.)

It seems to me most likely it ought to have something to do with the leather, and as this is on the inside, of course that's the hardest part to really get a good look at.

 

[JIM D.]

Your offending reed tongue has either dirt , corrosion or is misaligned on the rivet. You just might have to remove it - clean or align it and re-wax it back in. Go here -- http://www.accordionrevival.com/ACCORDION_REPAIR_3.php -- and look under accordion tuning overview. Dirt, Rust, Misalignment.