What to do with that?

[yaroslav9728]

Hi everyone,

Hope you all are doing great!

During my practice session, one of the bellows corners jumped out, and now air is leaking from the bellows (images are added).

What would be the best option for that?
1. Bellows repair
2. Bellows replacement
3. Trade in for a better accordion

 

[Dingo40]

What would be the best option for that?
1. Bellows repair
2. Bellows replacement
3. Trade in for a better accordion

What's the make of your accordion?
Is it a "junior" size?
Options:
1) repair: I'd say that the corners look flimsy and it wouldn't be long before another one goes west.
2) bellows replacement: not financially sensible on this one!
3) trade in for a better one. Yes, this sounds better (and should be cheaper and more permanent than either of 1) and 2).
It's possible that our member Tom has one for a reasonable price (he seems often to have a spare lying around)?

 

[yaroslav9728]

What's the make of your accordion?
Is it a "junior" size?
Options:
1) repair: I'd say that the corners look flimsy and it wouldn't be long before another one goes west.
2) bellows replacement: not financially sensible on this one!
3) trade in for a better one. Yes, this sounds better (and should be cheaper and more permanent than either of 1) and 2).
It's possible that our member Tom has one for a reasonable price (he seems often to have a spare lying around)?

The brand is Hohner
Lady size

 

[Dingo40]

The brand is Hohner
Lady size

We see a number of Hohners with bellows corners problems.
Ladies' size = junior size =about a 17 inch (or less) keyboard.
Unless you want to learn accordion repairs I'd say you'd be better off trading this one in.
You should be able to find a reasonable accordion shop in Toronto.
There's several listed on YouTube.
See here:

Google Search

Perhaps one of our Canadian members can guide you?

 

[yaroslav9728]

We see a number of Hohners with bellows corners problems.
Ladies' size = junior size =about a 17 inch (or less) keyboard.
Unless you want to learn accordion repairs I'd say you'd be better off trading this one in.
You should be able to find a reasonable accordion shop in Toronto.
There's several listed on YouTube.
See here:

Google Search

Perhaps one of our Canadian members can guide you?

As I am a tall guy (185 cm), should I look for a standard-sized piano accordion? I look a bit silly in a lady's size, and it is not comfortable for me to play.

 

[Dingo40]

should I look for a standard-sized piano accordion?

Yes!

 

[Tom]

What's the make of your accordion?
Is it a "junior" size?
Options:
1) repair: I'd say that the corners look flimsy and it wouldn't be long before another one goes west.
2) bellows replacement: not financially sensible on this one!
3) trade in for a better one. Yes, this sounds better (and should be cheaper and more permanent than either of 1) and 2).
It's possible that our member Tom has one for a reasonable price (he seems often to have a spare lying around)?

Sorry to see this Yaroslav. I agree with Dingo that this accordion looks a little worse for the wear and maybe not so worth putting money into. Seems like you’re more into playing than repairing, so yeah, replacing it with an accordion in better shape seems the way to go. Of course, you could replace that bellows corner yourself, so you have something to play until you get another one. Of course, you may have others laying around. . I’ve made the same decision regarding playing versus repairing, and no longer have a pile of accordions ready to find a new life. All my remaining accordions have a story so I’m holding on to them, except one “project” I would give away. Now, back to memorizing those 30 new tunes……

 

[Ventura]

hey Yaro,

the 4th photo of the back of the bellows/accordion is
the one that shows overall condition as well as the popped
off corner

Please note that many of the silvery corners are fully exposed, that
the bellows tape has broken off (there are still a few where the tape
still covers the ends of the corners)

this happens because the bellows have dried out to a critical point,
and so the Glue as well as the "squeeze" of the corners on the
Cardboard is no longer holding.. so the corners begin to push up
and eventually break the brittle bellows tape flaking it off so the
entire corner metals are exposed.. and then there is nothing left
except friction still holding them from popping off

you should understand, just putting the corner back on
and crushing it will not hold.. there is a special plier that
pinches a corner onto the cardboard without crushing
the rounded part

ALL the fully exposed corners are ready to pop off

if you get or make the correct pinching tool, and get a roll of Bellows tape,
you can do a general re-furbiushing of the bellows and likely
get a few more years out of the instrument

you can also contact one of the Bellows makers in Europe..
there are some in Czech and some in Italy i believe with
websites, and order a new bellows

 

[yaroslav9728]

hey Yaro,

the 4th photo of the back of the bellows/accordion is
the one that shows overall condition as well as the popped
off corner

Please note that many of the silvery corners are fully exposed, that
the bellows tape has broken off (there are still a few where the tape
still covers the ends of the corners)

this happens because the bellows have dried out to a critical point,
and so the Glue as well as the "squeeze" of the corners on the
Cardboard is no longer holding.. so the corners begin to push up
and eventually break the brittle bellows tape flaking it off so the
entire corner metals are exposed.. and then there is nothing left
except friction still holding them from popping off

you should understand, just putting the corner back on
and crushing it will not hold.. there is a special plier that
pinches a corner onto the cardboard without crushing
the rounded part

ALL the fully exposed corners are ready to pop off

if you get or make the correct pinching tool, and get a roll of Bellows tape,
you can do a general re-furbiushing of the bellows and likely
get a few more years out of the instrument

you can also contact one of the Bellows makers in Europe..
there are some in Czech and some in Italy i believe with
websites, and order a new bellows

Is it going to break down the bellows completely?

 

[Dingo40]

Is it going to break down the bellows completely?

That's hard to say. Eventually, yes, but patching up problems as they arise could keep the bellows going for years!
Here's some YouTube videos which could be interesting:

Google Search

 

[yaroslav9728]

What's the make of your accordion?
Is it a "junior" size?
Options:
1) repair: I'd say that the corners look flimsy and it wouldn't be long before another one goes west.
2) bellows replacement: not financially sensible on this one!
3) trade in for a better one. Yes, this sounds better (and should be cheaper and more permanent than either of 1) and 2).
It's possible that our member Tom has one for a reasonable price (he seems often to have a spare lying around)?

Forgot to add, there are no only external issues, but some notes are out of tune. Bass buttons are not placed properly, some of them are low, some high.

 

[yaroslav9728]

Sorry to see this Yaroslav. I agree with Dingo that this accordion looks a little worse for the wear and maybe not so worth putting money into. Seems like you’re more into playing than repairing, so yeah, replacing it with an accordion in better shape seems the way to go. Of course, you could replace that bellows corner yourself, so you have something to play until you get another one. Of course, you may have others laying around. . I’ve made the same decision regarding playing versus repairing, and no longer have a pile of accordions ready to find a new life. All my remaining accordions have a story so I’m holding on to them, except one “project” I would give away. Now, back to memorizing those 30 new tunes……

You are right, Tom. I am not a repairman; I am more into playing songs, melodies, etc. I don't want to make more hurt than help to it.

 

[Dingo40]

Bass buttons are not placed properly, some of them are low, some high.

Could be new pallet felts required: similarly for the uneven treble keys.
Including the bellows, this is a quite a lot of work already .
Another, larger model, without the issues,may be the way to go?

 

[yaroslav9728]

Could be new pallet felts required: similarly for the uneven treble keys.
Including the bellows, this is a quite a lot of work already .
Another, larger model, without the issues may be the way to go?

I think that a standard full-size piano accordion is more feasible for me than a lady size one. I even tried a larger one, it was nice.

 

[yaroslav9728]

Could be new pallet felts required: similarly for the uneven treble keys.
Including the bellows, this is a quite a lot of work already .
Another, larger model, without the issues may be the way to go?

I was talking with my teacher, and he agreed to check out another accordion at the store to avoid any unexpected surprises

 

[tcabot]

Looking at the overall condition of the box and guessing that it's a low-end hohner, my suggestion would be to treat yourself to a much better squeezebox with high quality reeds inside.

 

[yaroslav9728]

We see a number of Hohners with bellows corners problems.
Ladies' size = junior size =about a 17 inch (or less) keyboard.
Unless you want to learn accordion repairs I'd say you'd be better off trading this one in.
You should be able to find a reasonable accordion shop in Toronto.
There's several listed on YouTube.
See here:

Google Search

Perhaps one of our Canadian members can guide you?

I have always been interested in knowing the purpose of making junior-size accordions. For what category of people are they intended?

 

[Dingo40]

For what category of people are they intended?

Children, beginners, buskers, women: anyone with a light frame and small hands or needing a smaller, lighter instrument.

 

[JerryPH]

Call to make an appointment and then drop in to Andersons accordion repair and sales in Burlington Ontario, his workmanship is excellent and prices fair.

 

[yaroslav9728]

hey Yaro,

the 4th photo of the back of the bellows/accordion is
the one that shows overall condition as well as the popped
off corner

Please note that many of the silvery corners are fully exposed, that
the bellows tape has broken off (there are still a few where the tape
still covers the ends of the corners)

this happens because the bellows have dried out to a critical point,
and so the Glue as well as the "squeeze" of the corners on the
Cardboard is no longer holding.. so the corners begin to push up
and eventually break the brittle bellows tape flaking it off so the
entire corner metals are exposed.. and then there is nothing left
except friction still holding them from popping off

you should understand, just putting the corner back on
and crushing it will not hold.. there is a special plier that
pinches a corner onto the cardboard without crushing
the rounded part

ALL the fully exposed corners are ready to pop off

if you get or make the correct pinching tool, and get a roll of Bellows tape,
you can do a general re-furbiushing of the bellows and likely
get a few more years out of the instrument

you can also contact one of the Bellows makers in Europe..
there are some in Czech and some in Italy i believe with
websites, and order a new bellows

What can happen if I will continue to play on it in this condition?