Chocked sounding reeds

[davidevr]

Hello.

In my Eiru Gold some notes have acquired a chocked sound.

Listen to the clip below to see what I mean.

 

https://streamable.com/8jrwok?src=player-page-share

 

It’s a new thing, I have been playing this concertina for more than a year and never had a problem. Could it be due to the dry weather (inside my home at least). Any suggestions on how to fix this, if it needs fixing?

 

(By the way, a few days ago the e reed had also an altered sound (like a buzz) but it fixed itself without doing anything.)

[SIMON GABRIELOW]

I had a hat problem on rare occasions ( mine is Hohner branded Stagi from 1999).. I found it seemed to be a valve that failed to allow note to sound in one direction ..and it gradually stopped the effect. Once I merely opened up concertina and that cleared the problem on its own; but I am not certain in your case.

It seems your concertina is a note on the outward pull of bellows If I am seeing it in your excerpt.

[d.elliott]

42 minutes ago, davidevr said:

Hello.

In my Eiru Gold some notes have acquired a chocked sound.

Listen to the clip below to see what I mean.

 

https://streamable.com/8jrwok?src=player-page-share

 

It’s a new thing, I have been playing this concertina for more than a year and never had a problem. Could it be due to the dry weather (inside my home at least). Any suggestions on how to fix this, if it needs fixing?

 

(By the way, a few days ago the e reed had also an altered sound (like a buzz) but it fixed itself without doing anything.)

 

I have done work on these instruments, some at the behest of the original supplier, I found that I had issues with reed gap  or set being a bit too tight and needing adjustment also some tuning errors. I suspect that there are three things afoot, one being reed settling under vibration (vibration stress relief), another issue is that the reeds as supplier from the manufacturer have the tuning precision for an accordion rather than a concertina, and finally, as you suspect, temperature changes and humidity influences.

[Tiposx]

As above. Also it could be a valve.

[davidevr]

Thanks folks.
As you guessed, the problematic notes are on the pull, the lowest one on the C and G rows.
It's quite weird that 2 of them started having troubles together.
Mind you, I don't play them often, but I do use them for bass reinforcement every now and then; so I cannot be 110% sure the troubles started today, but it's definitely a matter of days rather than weeks.

What do you suggest I do? Shall I open the instrument, inspect for any "visual" clue (misplaced valve) and maybe look for dust or similar? Or just wait after few days and see what happens?
Do you think it's a repair that I can tackle or is some professional help needed?

Edited January 15 by davidevr

[Tiposx]

It is easy enough to take the six end screws out. Go carefully to avoid scratching the finish. I trap the pointed end of the screwdriver onto the screw head with two of my left finger tips whilst twisting the handle with my right fingers and thumb. If your Eiru is built like my ICC Vintage was, then you should be able to lift away the action box and inspect the reeds/valves in question.

Make sure that everything goes back in the same orientation. I only use two r/h fingers and a thumb to tighten those screws back up. Again I trap the pointed end with l/h fingers whilst tightening the screws.

You will be fine!

[SIMON GABRIELOW]

3 hours ago, davidevr said:

Thanks folks.
As you guessed, the problematic notes are on the pull, the lowest one on the C and G rows.
It's quite weird that 2 of them started having troubles together.
Mind you, I don't play them often, but I do use them for bass reinforcement every now and then; so I cannot be 110% sure the troubles started today, but it's definitely a matter of days rather than weeks.

Use all the notes you can. Even those lower more distant notes, even if awkward to reach at first, it will really make you familiar with the compass of your instrument.. and maybe also free up those valves with use over time🌝

[David Lay]

Sean Garvey warns against big environmental changes.  I believe the reed pan is a solid piece of wood, so it will move a bit as it dries out or absorbs moisture.  Perhaps the reed shoes have been pinched.  Mine sounded much like that when I let it get too cold within its case.  Cold temperatures make for drier air and can cause any humidity in my case to condense.  It got better after acclimating to room temperature.

Edited January 16 by David Lay

[davidevr]

Yep, I suspect the home heating is the culprit. The place I live (north of Italy) is quite wet during the summer, and get its deal of fog during winter also. But my house is super insulated and has a radiant floor. It is super comfortable during the winter, but maybe not as conformable for a concertina