Jillser Nic Amhlaoibh Posted December 6, 2016 Share Posted December 6, 2016 Hi folks, I'm new here and have a lovely Tedrow 30 button anglo that I purchased about a month ago. It had the pads replaced on it recently and the action adjusted. It was playing like a dream for the past fortnight but over the last day or so it seems like the bellows have become more difficult to move (reminding of the Rochelle I was playing before I got it), and sometimes on the pull the bellows will just stop - I've done a search in the archives but have been unable to find a thread related to this. I keep picking it up to play hoping I was imagining that the bellows have become stiffer but I really do think there's been a change in them - I'm new to the concertina world so haven't a clue as to what potential causes for this may be - is this a common thing? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoff Wooff Posted December 6, 2016 Share Posted December 6, 2016 I would think this a very unusual happening and can not imagine what is going on. The only explaination I can suggest is that you have been playing too much, as a newcommer to the concertina , and have strained your muscles... which is not likely I guess. Contact Bob Tedrow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jillser Nic Amhlaoibh Posted December 6, 2016 Author Share Posted December 6, 2016 Thanks for the reply Geoff. I don't think it's that I've strained my muscles - I'm a long time musician (tenor banjo, mandolin, drums) and very careful about overplaying/avoiding injuries due to repetition etc. I'll shoot Bob an email. Was just curious as to whether it was something other folks have experienced themselves. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill N Posted December 6, 2016 Share Posted December 6, 2016 Is it possible that some of the card on the inside has come unglued and is jamming things up? Have you taken an end off to have a look? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greg Jowaisas Posted December 6, 2016 Share Posted December 6, 2016 (edited) I'd check your replacement pads. If they are thicker than the previous ones and the action was not adjusted accordingly there is a chance there is not enough pad clearance. Although uncommon I've had occasions in repair when a too close pad and a weak spring have resulted in a note(s) stopping on the draw. (As the pad and/or arm are drawn down and close off the pad hole) Let us know what is happening as you make adjustments and try and figure this out. Greg Edited December 7, 2016 by Greg Jowaisas Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jillser Nic Amhlaoibh Posted December 6, 2016 Author Share Posted December 6, 2016 Thanks Greg - they did use thicker pads for replacement, though they also mentioned that the adjusted the action as a result. I'll keep you posted on what I find out. Cheers, Jill Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Hornett Posted December 7, 2016 Share Posted December 7, 2016 Adding to Greg's advice, don't forget to look at the air button adjustment. If you are in the habit of riding the air button, then its pad not opening, or only fractionally opening will give the impression of sized bellows. David Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daniel Hersh Posted December 7, 2016 Share Posted December 7, 2016 If you're able to come to the players gathering on Sunday I'd be happy to take a look at it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jillser Nic Amhlaoibh Posted December 7, 2016 Author Share Posted December 7, 2016 Great, thanks Daniel! I'm definitely going to try to make it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jillser Nic Amhlaoibh Posted December 7, 2016 Author Share Posted December 7, 2016 Adding to Greg's advice, don't forget to look at the air button adjustment. If you are in the habit of riding the air button, then its pad not opening, or only fractionally opening will give the impression of sized bellows. David Thanks David, I was wondering if it might be to do with the air button. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patrick McMahon Posted December 7, 2016 Share Posted December 7, 2016 (edited) It sounds like Greg has put his finger on it. Bellows won't be stiff now and then, they will be stiff all the time or not at all. So it's nothing to do with the actual bellows. ( which you can easily check by operating them with the air button fully pressed ) If it's now and then, as you say, it's probably one of the pads partly delaminating. On squeeze, the air would push it away from the hole, but on draw, it can suck it against the hole, and close it, If the pads are made of more than one layer, that can easily happen. I would identify which note or notes it happens on, and have a look at those pads. Edited December 7, 2016 by Patrick McMahon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jillser Nic Amhlaoibh Posted December 7, 2016 Author Share Posted December 7, 2016 Thanks Patrick - would that be something I'd be able to see if I took the ends off? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patrick McMahon Posted December 7, 2016 Share Posted December 7, 2016 Thanks Patrick - would that be something I'd be able to see if I took the ends off? It certainly would. Best way is to identify which key or keys are not letting the bellows open properly. Press one key at a time, and smartly open the bellows. That should tell you which ones. Then take the ends off, and press that key or the lever to raise the pad, and then just poke around at the pad, to see if it's intact and firmly glued in place. ( which it probably isn't) If the whole pad, or a layer, has not been glued properly, it just needs a little glue to set it in place. Once you've checked one, it's easy to check the others, while you have the end off. If you can't see any problem, you might be able to feel that a pad is loose with the tips of your fingers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jillser Nic Amhlaoibh Posted December 7, 2016 Author Share Posted December 7, 2016 Great, thanks Patrick, I'll give that a go!! You've all been so helpful I really appreciate it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patrick McMahon Posted December 7, 2016 Share Posted December 7, 2016 (edited) Great, thanks Patrick, I'll give that a go!! You've all been so helpful I really appreciate it! When you test each button as I said, you might hear a feint popping sound, as the pad is sucked back onto the hole. That would tell you for sure it's a loose pad. Edit : if the above doesn't flush it out, another way of testing is to test each button one after another, WHILE pulling on the bellows. The offending pad would probably stay closed, and not give a note. Edited December 7, 2016 by Patrick McMahon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jillser Nic Amhlaoibh Posted December 11, 2016 Author Share Posted December 11, 2016 Well I checked the buttons and all of them are sounding a note on the draw. I then took the ends off the Tedrow and checked for loose pads and all (to my novice eyes anyway) appears well. Last night (prior to my opening it up) I noticed that it just feels tough in general now to work the bellows, whether on the push or the draw. I've emailed the shop that did the work but know that they're closed at the weekend so don't expect a reply until Monday. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patrick McMahon Posted December 11, 2016 Share Posted December 11, 2016 That IS a mystery. It's so much easier when you can pick it up and feel what's happening. I can't think of any way that the actual bellows could stiffen up, so I'm sure it's action related. Especially as it's had the recent work. No point in speculating any further, as your shop will no doubt spot what's wrong pretty easily, being able to hold it and operate it. Do let us know what the problem turns out tp be. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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