Tune up costs

[Glenn]

Dear Accordionists,

I am sorely tempted to have my Accordiola Piano V tuned.
I have absolutely no experience as to how much that would cost.
Of course I realise that prices will vary but is there a ball-park figure I can expect to pay?
Bearing in mind the accordion is about 30 years old and has been reasonably looked after (still has a faintest whiff of mustiness I'm afraid), is it even possible to bring it back closer to how it was delivered? I don't really want to start making serious enquiries and then go red-faced away because the price is ridiculous.
This is what it looks like (although mine is white... bit old fashioned colour these days I guess)

 

[JIM D.]

In most cases a quality Italian accordion such as yours will only need reed cleaning and some leather valve replacement. For a service such as this I charge from $60.00 to $150.00 USD JIM D.

 

[Soulsaver]

About £75 nearby me, in the UK.

 

[Tom]

I recently had mine cleaned and tuned. I was charged $10 per reed for tuning plus general cleaning and some leathers replaced. It was played hard for many years and then sat around before I purchased it. It sounds much better. My total cost was about $200 which I considered fair. Jim's estimate seems really reasonabe. Finding someone like him around your area will be the challenge. Really depends how bad off the leathers and tuning are, hopefully you won't need more than the general tune up. How does it sound? Is it in tune, do you hear lots or only one or two sour notes and are you getting funny leather noises like wheezing and notes that don't play? Good luck, that seems like a great jewel to restore for you.

 

[Glenn]

Thanks for all the feedback.
In general it sounds OK but some combinations are a bit "off" to my ear.
I only have one non-playing note and that is the highest piccolo reed when pulling (works OK pushing) but it's not that important.
I think I have a general ball-park figure now. being a 5-voice instrument it will be a bit more work and will deserve more money to the tuner.
As you say Tom, finding a friendly Jim in the neighbourhood may not be so simple.

 

[Tom]

Good luck, Glenn, I have to drive 150 miles, fortunately I go there for work frequently.

 

[Adam-T]

About £75 nearby me, in the UK.

Is that Roy Whiteley ? . if he charges £75 to tune up a 5 voice one, he`d do my 2 voice Arietta for next to nothing then !!

 

[Soulsaver]

Yep. I guess that's his minmum. :| It was the same for a 3 and a 4 voice. He's provided some helpful advice on occasion, saving me a visit & his cost, too.