Rod Pearce Posted May 31, 2021 Share Posted May 31, 2021 I have both a 20 key anglo (Campbells of Glasgow) and 30 key anglo (late Lachenal), both of which I have restored to a playable standard in the last 12 months, i that order. I am noticing that the 30 key is appreciably quieter than the 20 key. Is this to be expected, or should I continue to work on the 30 key to increase its volume? Both have new pads and valves, but the 30 key needed new springs and lever arms and bellows due to damp and rust. I have also noticed that the 20 key is also much 'tighter', but I cannot locate any air loss in the 30 key. Perhaps it is the spring tension, or the newer pads? Any thoughts? Best regards Rod Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoff Wooff Posted May 31, 2021 Share Posted May 31, 2021 There are many things that can influence the output volume of a concertina. The 20key being 'tighter' would suggest you should be getting a better attack when a button is pressed with more compression available. However, if everything else is equal, and it can never really be, then the extra reeds of the 30 key instrument will have a slight deadening effect on the reed pans. More likely the height that the pads lift, and how soft they are, how well the reedpans fit into the bellows and how flat the wood of the reedpans and padboards are and the well fitting of the gaskets . Even the wood of these pieces can make a large difference. What matters ? Everything ! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephen Chambers Posted May 31, 2021 Share Posted May 31, 2021 Apart from everything that Geoff Wooff has already mentioned, and to compare like with like, I always find that there's more of a "honk" off the reeds in a 20-key Lachenal than there is off a 30-key one of the same model. I'd attribute the difference to the chambering of the reedpans, which is parallel in a 20-key Lachenal (as is also the case with a Jones 20-key, or a Jeffries/Crabb), but radial (and sweeter) in a Lachenal 30-key. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rod Pearce Posted June 1, 2021 Author Share Posted June 1, 2021 Geoff, Stephen Thank you for your responses. I gather from what you say that although I should expect differences, what I am hearing from the 30-key is weaker than it should be. As all the new components are from the same source, I will continue down the path of trying to improve fit of the reed pans and gaskets to see if it will retain more air. I am also a little suspicious of some of the reeds, given the state the woodwork was in when I started. Perhaps I am expecting too much from what was effectively a wreck, and should be happy that it plays again. I will continue doing small changes over time to see what improvement can be achieved. Thanks again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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