Any way to improve playability on a Concertine Italia?

[ryan]

I’ve noticed that as my playing improves my concertina has some things i’d like to change if possible. Namely the amount of pressure it takes to push/pull to make sound. I assume it could also be the action not being high quality. As I try to increase my tempo/speed the notes sometimes don’t have any air to sound or it is quite the workout on my arms to get them to sound. Lacking a total upgrade, is there anything mechanically I can do to improve my instrument? 

 

Thank you!!! 

Ryan

[ryan]

[ryan]

[Tiposx]

I would start by removing the bellows and manipulating them to improve the flexibility in them.

I do this with all new bellows.

I squeeze then between very stiff boards under aporoximately 30 kilograms of weight. (I refer to it as a clamp) Over a period of days, or even weeks, I stretch the bellows before returning them to the clamp.

I stretch the bellows by holding them by one flat at each end, then stretching them quite hard 20 times. I work my way around the flats, thus 120 stretches on hex bellows..

Then they go back into the clamp.

I do this every time I walk past the clamp. I guess this is 30 to 40 times overall. 

Eventually the bellows "give up" as I say. Usually one morning they feel noticeably easier to pull open and close.

My bellows are traditionally built, with individual cards. I suspect the Stagi uses single runs of 6 cards, with taped reinforcements on the inside folds. They will still benefit from the stretching routine, but it may reduce their lifespan, as the card may fail eventually where they fold.

 

[Steve Schulteis]

Is the resistance in the bellows themselves or in the air flow through the reeds? With an end off, do the bellows move freely or are they stiff?

Edited August 15, 2025 by Steve Schulteis

[ryan]

They didn’t feel too stiff when i removed the ends and manipulated them last night. I took some more photos too, which I will upload. As for the bellows, it seems like i’ll benefit from playing more as they’ll break in and i’ll be practicing. I think I might be experiencing the action, as the shorter levers are the G row, and they have the most resistance. I think this is because of the smaller lever equaling less leverage (?). 

[ryan]

[ryan]

I also noticed some reeds were missing the paper covering. I haven’t noticed this affecting the sound, but maybe it affects playability ?? 

[Steve Schulteis]

The "paper covering" on each reed is a valve intended to prevent reverse air leakage when playing the other reed in a pair. Valves can have all kinds of surprising effects, and setting them up correctly is beyond my current understanding. I do know that it's common to leave them off of higher pitched reeds entirely, so that may be what you're seeing. The ones that are present appear to be laying nice and flat like they're supposed to, so that's a good sign at least.

 

If the bellows move freely on their own, then the resistance you feel while playing is probably coming from the reeds. Maybe it's possible to tune them to start more easily, but the simple (though expensive) fix is to upgrade to a better instrument.

 

The stiffer buttons resulting from shorter levers are something I'd expect you to feel more in your fingers than your arms, and it shouldn't affect the push/pull force required to play a note. It is part of overall playability, but I think it's a different issue from the main one you're describing.

[Tiposx]

The smaller reeds generally don't have valves. Yours look ok to me.

The springs should be made, or set up, to give an even opening pressure throughout. The amount of pressure needed to hold the G row pads sealed might be less than you are experiencing (it might not be though). It depends on how well the pads are made, If they mate to the sound board correctly. And so on. Every part had to work well to give the best results, including hinges. buttons, everything!

You might also find that adjusting the reed tip gaps will improve the response of the instrument. 

This is something that might be better looked at by a fettler though.

 

 

[SIMON GABRIELOW]

Bellows will often free up with use, leather seems to become supple over time. Like a person it needs to breathe and be excersized. ( Bellows). 

[ryan]

Thanks for all the info and help! I think I’ll leave it be for now. Saving up for a new instrument is probably the best way to go about it, while practicing on this in the meantime. I have only played one very nice concertina (a Willie Crook) and it was comparable to driving an old station wagon to a sports car. I can only improve from here and when I do upgrade i’m sure i’ll be ready!! 

 

Thanks again yall! 

 

Ryan