Transferring reeds from one accordion to another

[Ganza]

Hello all

I have an MMM and was wondering if it would be possible to transfer a set of LMM reeds (with L in Cassotto) into the MMM treble side?

Or, at least, to transfer the L (and the cassotto) into the treble side, leaving the two other M blocks there.

 

[Glenn]

Are we talking transfer between accordions or transfer left to right?

 

[Ganza]

Transferring reeds between different accordions

 

[boxplayer4000]

Ganza:
What you are trying to do is very common. My own Hohner left the factory in LMMH format but was converted to LMMM. This required altering the H piccolo reed blocks to accommodate the larger M reeds and purchasing 12 M reeds to fill the bottom octave. As I understand it you want to replace one of your MMM reed sets with an L set. This will entail altering the wooden reed blocks to accommodate the larger set of L reeds. Altering the reed blocks can be a challenge. Quite often the size of the blocks will allow the reed slots to be made larger with careful carpentry work. If this is not possible then new reed blocks (probably 2) will be required.
It certainly isn't possible to transfer the cassotto from one accordion to another. Cassottoed accordions or often superior to non-cassottoed ones and in order to retain your cassottoed one intact have you considered obtaining a set of L reeds from another source? There's loads of 'scrappers' around quite cheap and the Hohners which used their famous T reeds are a good source.

 

[Morne]

• You cannot transfer the cassotto chamber because it is part of the body. Even if you found a way to transfer that, the key levers/arms would need to be replaced too since the cassotto pallets open perpendicular to the non-cassotto (you can see it on this image: http://www.mick-hursey.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/faq_cassotto.gif[/url]).
• You could theoretically transfer the entire reedblock, assuming equal number of reeds, the holes line up and the fastening mechanism is compatible.
• You could also transfer the individual reeds, assuming the target reed block can accommodate them.

 

[debra]

• You cannot transfer the cassotto chamber because it is part of the body. Even if you found a way to transfer that, the key levers/arms would need to be replaced too since the cassotto pallets open perpendicular to the non-cassotto (you can see it on this image: http://www.mick-hursey.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/faq_cassotto.gif[/url]).
• You could theoretically transfer the entire reedblock, assuming equal number of reeds, the holes line up and the fastening mechanism is compatible.
• You could also transfer the individual reeds, assuming the target reed block can accommodate them.

[/quote]
I fully agree: transfer of cassotto is absolutely impossible, but transferring reeds or reed blocks are are theoretically possible, but can be problematic.
When you transfer L reeds to a block made for M reeds the block needs to be altered to make room for the larger L reeds. There is a good chance that this will not be possible.
When an accordion does not have L reeds it can have reed blocks that can only accommodate smaller reeds. L reed plates are both longer and wider. You may end up not having enough room to accommodate the width of the L reeds even when you might be able to accommodate the height.
When you try to fit another reed block the holes may not line up, so finding a reed block with the right dimensions may be a problem.

So general advice: if you really want a different reed configuration, and certainly if you also want cassotto, sell the instrument you have and buy a different one.

 

[Deleted member 48]

If the holes are in place , and the holes are alike, it is possible to convert a B-system to a C-system CBA, but you have to check first if all the conditions are ok.

I have already done this in a few minutes with a Russian B-system. The entire reedblocks of the first and third rows could be switched in minutes. Not a single reed plate had to be removed and replaced.
The problem is, you have to have the accordion or bayan in your hands to see if it is possible, or have some good photos.

Here is a photo of a 3 row CBA Paolo Soprani. You can easily remove the entire reed block (the little photo on the right)
First and third row have 15 buttons, or 15 reed plates on each side of the reedblock.
http://www.accordeon-occasion.net/paolo-soprani-studio-ii-4-rangs-80-basses-etat-neuf_a_133.html

To know if it would be possible with this Paolo Soprani, you would need some more photos of the holes in the plate.

 

[debra]

If the holes are in place , and the holes are alike, it is possible to convert a B-system to a C-system CBA, but you have to check first if all the conditions are ok.
...
Here is a photo of a 3 row CBA Paolo Soprani. You can easily remove the entire reed block (the little photo on the right)

The link leads to a 4 row instrument. Changing a 3 row CBA between B and C griff is relatively easy. The problem with a 4 or 5 row instrument is that after the simple conversion these rows are wrong.

 

[Ganza]

Hi all, I guess you are right re transferring cassotto and L reeds... it sounds like a mission!

Thanks for your responses, I will give it some more thought....!