LateToTheGame
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After waiting almost 2 years I got a new Suttner anglo concertina CG Banner model the beginning of December 2020
All was well until last week.When I pressed the left upper row C#/D# all I heard was a muffled , out of tune noise. The concertina has not been dropped or otherwise mistreated. I'm guessing a problem with the reed? No one near who can fix this. I live in Northern New England USA so nearest option is The Button Box in Massachusets - a 8 hour round trip drive. I'm uncomfortable mailing the instrument in the winter weather .
My question is whether I risk causing more damage or problems if I continue to play the other buttons until I can get this repaired?
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If there is nothing rattling around inside, I'd guess the shoe or valve has slipped or you have just picked up a bit of dust.
The dust may sort itself out. I had a bit of dust moving from one reed to another at one point in a nice new Dipper that eventually stopped on its own.
Taking apart the concertina is not as scary as it sounds. But I have done it so seldom I'm not the person to walk you through.
Some details an expert might forget to mention though: Find a screw driver that fits the slot of the brass screw precisely. One too big or too small will more likely bunge up the screw or the concertina. Put a terry towel down on the table to protect both your concertina and the table surface. And have a cup or small container on hand to put the screws in.
These are details the more experienced might take for granted. Lots of folks don't work much taking things apart, so if you aren't familiar with screwdrivers find something around the house to practice on. Maybe loosen the knobs on your kitchen cabinets and tighten them back down again if this is something you don't do often. Lefty Loosey - Righty Tighty as my dad used to say.
The screws that hold the concertina together are likely to be very finely threaded long brass ones. A finely threaded screw takes quite a few turns as each turn will only move the screw a tiny bit.
If this is scary you could check with a guitar or woodwind repaired and see if they were game with the proper instruction.
As for the proper instruction send out an SOS in the construction and repair forum.
Good Luck!
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