Do Bellows Let Air Escape?

[Arthurdaily]

Hi, just a simple question... I have bought my first concertina, and having great fun. But I have noticed that with a slight sqeeze and no button pressed the bellows do compress slightly and slowly... is that normal or should they be 'super-air-tight'?

 

Cheers!

[Lester Bailey]

Could be the bellows, gaskets, pads and a few other things as well. but as they only 'compress slightly and slowly' I wouldn't worry about it. Plus I would stop doing the 'sqeeze and no button pressed' as it does no good and could do harm.

[Arthurdaily]

Thank you.. I will refrain from the naughty bellows action from now on, thanks Lester.

[Steve Mansfield]

Lester is quite right, and whenever people want a go on one of my instruments (and I'm in a benevolent mood and prepared to let them) I emphasise that the golden rule is not to move the bellows without having at least one note pressed. The air will find the weakest point to escape, which could be a slightly weaker valve, or the weakest joint in the bellows, and you don't want to make a problem like that any worse.

 

Mind you old age and abuse is creeping up on my treble, so a think a trip to the bellows doctor is coming up ...

[Mikefule]

The bellows themselves should be perfectly airtight. The instrument is unlikely to be. However, it should be as near perfectly airtight as possible, which means good valves and pads.