How do you make reeds louder or softer?

[Matt Heumann]

I have one concertina, nice tone and in tune but a few notes are either much louder than the others or much softer (but not slow to respond). I do all my own work, but this one I've not mastered. I believe arcing the reed tongue is involved? Up til now I've only been able to quiet down the loud ones using grill gauze on the underside of the air whole, which dampens the volume of a particular note.

Awaiting tutelage!

[d.elliott]

Are all the reeds with the same reed tongue metal?

 

[Matt Heumann]

Dave:

yes, all reeds steel tongues!

[Rod Pearce]

Is it possible to swap a loud reed with a quieter reed and see if there is any change of volume?

 

If the quieter reed becomes louder, it may point to some of the characteristics of the chamber being the problem.

Rod

[Matt Heumann]

I've swapped reeds, re-seated reeds, increased and decreased firmness in chamber slot, the reeds in question actually have the same peculiarities in the tuning jig, out of the instrument. Ah, the peculiarities of living, breathing instruments........things og mystery, Eh?

[Theo]

Two things that can dull the sound of a reed - 1 valve not opening far enough. 2 reed not held snugly in reed pan.

[fred v]

I have quieted a barking reed by stiffening the valve.