Beginner has a go at Concertina Repair

[Lakeland Fiddler]

I’ve been learning to play on a recently acquired Sherwood Flynn for about three weeks now and noticed that the G on left button 5 push is becoming less and less responsive. Yesterday I had trouble getting it to speak at all, so I was left with the problem of what to do. I could take it back to the shop where I got it but that’s miles away and if they decide to keep it for repair I would also have another journey. I could try and find someone else to repair it but the same issues apply, plus I would have to pay for the repair. Or I could just have a go myself; what could possibly go wrong!

 

So, a few Youtube videos later I dug out my screwdrivers and removed the screws from the left hand side of the instrument and gently remove the end. I now needed to identify the problem reed so I turned the end over to locate the button and trace the lever to the corresponding pad. I gently pressed the G, that’s when I had the “Oh $#!t” moment, the plate with the reeds, buttons and levers fell out of the end plate and landed on the bench. I had that sick feeling in my stomach and wished I’d never started.

 

After a short break to pull myself together I realised nothing was broken and everything was still attached even though all the buttons were all pointing in the wrong directions. I saw that I could only access the reeds on one side of the reed plate without further dismantling so I just slid a piece of paper under every reed and every valve that I could see to try and clear any dust then set about getting it all back together again. It took several attempts with a long screwdriver to get all the buttons back in the upright position to allow the end plate to slip back over. A big sigh of relief as the end went back into the bellows, a quick try before the screws went back in and all seemed good.

 

Screws back in and it plays like a dream compared to before, in fact the right hand side seems tardy in comparison. So as soon as I pluck up the courage I will have a go at that too. Not sure what to do about the reeds that were on the other side of the reed block, more research needed.

 

Any comment, advice, instruction welcome.

[David Lay]

Please post photos of the reed pan and action board.  I will guess this is a Chinese instrument with waxed reeds and that it is similar to the Phoenix and Swan.  Photos will help.

[Lakeland Fiddler]

5 minutes ago, David Lay said:

Please post photos of the reed pan and action board.  I will guess this is a Chinese instrument with waxed reeds and that it is similar to the Phoenix and Swan.  Photos will help.

 

I fully intended to take photos but with the little incident I completely forgot and just wanted to get it back together. Next time I will be better prepared for what is to come.

 

Yes, it is of Chinese origin with waxed in reeds as you say, I was totally underwhelmed by  the quality and construction!

[Roger Hare]

1 hour ago, Lakeland Fiddler said:

...Any comment, advice, instruction welcome.

Buy a copy of Dave Elliot's Concertina Maintenance Manual. A fascinating read, even if you never go near concertina maintenance again...

[David Lay]

I have been making a collection of concertina photos showing reed pans and action boards.  They are most difficult to find for the inexpensive models leaving prospective buyers "in the dark" on the quality of the offering.  I think that all prospective buyers would appreciate more internal photos of concertinas.  The phrase "You get what you pay for." has greater meaning with photos showing quality differences.

Edited August 2 by David Lay

[genepinefield]

I wrote blog about "Bastari/German" type concertina action.

https://concertina.pinefield.asia/concertina-structure-beginners-and-self-taught/

I have the inside photo of Bastari Heyden duet, those action is "Double Decker" style. But it's not permission to upload. 

 

[SIMON GABRIELOW]

I know the feeling of first attempt at repairing .  As my own concertina, over the years , has all kinds of adhoc adjustments made. Torsion springs adjusted, buttons replaced, and so on.

Sometimes the best way to learn repair is by necessity, and because you have to.

My own has its own character and over 25 plus years now is more reliable than ever, because of my own, sometimes very peculiar sometimes eccentric intetnal improvements made😊😊

[David Lay]

I find the waxed reeds inhibiting though I have found videos on-line showing how it is applied.  I have been living with a slow-to-speak F for some time, made easy by not often playing in keys that need it.

[SIMON GABRIELOW]

David Lay says!

I find the waxed reeds inhibiting though I have found videos on-line showing how it is applied.  I have been living with a slow-to-speak F for some time, made easy by not often playing in keys that need it.

 

A slow to speak F? !  

Oh dear there's no need for language like that on here  [only joking]😄

[Lakeland Fiddler]

This morning the C (button 3, push, C row, left hand) seems slow to speak. Playing a C chord it is difficult to get all three notes to play, the E and G play easily enough, but I need to push a lot of air to get the C to join in. So off comes the end again. It is now a little better but not perfect by any means. Here are a few pics I took whilst I had it apart.

 

As you can see, the finish is quite rough. Sawdust and grit is evident on the surfaces and workmanship is poor. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited August 10 by Lakeland Fiddler

[alex_holden]

I'm a bit surprised they went to the trouble of giving it metal-capped buttons and slotted brass action posts (expensive to make and typically signs of a better-quality instrument), but didn't fit any button cross-hole bushes (even a cheap bone-button Lachenal has those).