Some work on my 48 Keys English Lachenal

[Thy28293]

Hello,

I got it in last january : it's my first one, and I'm a complete beginner both in learning how to play the concertina and in how to do some maintenance work in this instrument.

 

I found many explanations in famous " (...) Concertina Maintenance Manual" / Dave Elliott *(second edition), and many others here on C.net.

I so decided to go into some "dangerous paths" (*).

 

First of all : the pads and bushings.

 

 

 

[Thy28293]

Some unexpected surprises, such as the high C  button (with an extra spring).

 

 

By the way : some new springs.

 

 

 

[Thy28293]

Curly valves.

 

 

 

 

 

[Thy28293]

Improved thumbs straps and "finger rests".

On the right hand

 

On the left hand

 

 

[Thy28293]

5 folds bellows.

 

 

Work  still in progress... (hopping I won't make irreversible mistakes...).

However : already more playable than just "out of the box".

 

Once again : many thanks to all contributors.

 

Thy

[d.elliott]

What are the new valves made from? they look synthetic???

[Thy28293]

Only leather !!! And a very small drop of fish glue.

Looking for the appropriate "weight", or " balance " :

my first test was with kangaroo hide (I already got "for other purposes") :

to stiff valves (likely too thick) ; "muffled sound" .

 

 

[Thy28293]

Than tried with some others ;

here on the right hand side, you can see 

-  thin but stiff calf , with glossy and "grained" hair side (I wasn't particularly looking for the "glossy" style)

- a thicker one, but soft ("supple") = deer.

 

On the left hand side : only the deer leather. But using (very) slightly different dimensions than the "old" valves.

 

Both sides now work rather well (much better than with the old curly valves). I will check if  this "improvement" still remains during the next weeks / months.

[d.elliott]

try lamb skin glove grade, the thicknesses vary upon the valve size you are using:

 

No 1 : 0.5mm

No 2 : 0.7mm

No 3 : 0.8mm

no 4 : 0.8mm

No 5 : 1.0mm

No 6 : 1.5mm,

 

These are a rough guide, it depends upon the  stiffness of the skin you are using.

[Thy28293]

Thanks !

 

[Thy28293]

Better valve adjustment should contribute to better reed responsiveness...