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Help For A Buzzing Reed?


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I had a Stagi 18b that button EC shipped to me. The E button buzzes when being pushed, but not on the draw. I know that I could send it back for a fix or a trade if I need to...But being very new at this...Is this something that will work itself out? Or do I (dare) do something...or what?

 

lmc

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I had a Stagi 18b that button EC shipped to me. The E button buzzes when being pushed, but not on the draw. I know that I could send it back for a fix or a trade if I need to...But being very new at this...Is this something that will work itself out? Or do I (dare) do something...or what?

 

lmc

 

Sounds like a valve problem. I would speak to the vendor (Button Box?), depending on the construction the valves for the push reeds may not be easily accessible. If you've bought this instrument recently you may invalidate the warranty by opening it up before speaking to the people you bought it from.

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I had a Stagi 18b that button EC shipped to me.

"Button EC"? Is that a dealer?

Not a name I'm familiar with, nor did a quick Google on the name turn up anything to do with concertinas.

 

No, EC? Gosh I meant English Concertina. I did speak with the vendor and yes it is under warranty and I could send it back but it was suggested that it might work itself out...The buzz only sounds on the E note button when the bellows are pushed not pulled. Anyway, I would not open it since it is new and I would not want to invalidate the warranty. It was checked out before shipping so the thought was that maybe something got jiggle-jangled in the shipping.

 

lmc

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I had a Stagi 18b that button EC shipped to me. The E button buzzes when being pushed, but not on the draw. I know that I could send it back for a fix or a trade if I need to...But being very new at this...Is this something that will work itself out? Or do I (dare) do something...or what?

lmc

One possibility is that the reed is bumping against the back side of its reed cell (given that this is probably an accordion type reed in a cell mounted at right angles to the action board).

 

Does it buzz when played softly, or only over a certain volume? If only when played louder , it may well be hitting the back side of its cell. You'd be amazed (scared?) to see how far a reed swings when playing -- it needs lots of elbow room! No, this problem will not work itself out -- in fact, it may get worse, as the reeds break in ("play in")and swing even farther. The cure is to chisel away some wood from the back of the cell (not for the ham-handed).

 

I had this problem with a push reed on my Stagi Hayden Duet. Button Box, where I bought it, fixed it quickly and at no charge. Believe all the good things you hear about The Button Box folks!

 

Keep in mind that the cause could be something else -- but many other causes also detune the reed.

 

EDITED to add -- I think this is more likely on a pull than a push reed, but now I am having trouble recalling which direction my own problem occurred. But sure seems that it was on push.

--Mike K.

Edited by ragtimer
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I had a Stagi 18b that button EC shipped to me. The E button buzzes when being pushed, but not on the draw. I know that I could send it back for a fix or a trade if I need to...But being very new at this...Is this something that will work itself out? Or do I (dare) do something...or what?

lmc

One possibility is that the reed is bumping against the back side of its reed cell (given that this is probably an accordion type reed in a cell mounted at right angles to the action board).

 

Does it buzz when played softly, or only over a certain volume? If only when played louder , it may well be hitting the back side of its cell. You'd be amazed (scared?) to see how far a reed swings when playing -- it needs lots of elbow room! No, this problem will not work itself out -- in fact, it may get worse, as the reeds break in ("play in")and swing even farther. The cure is to chisel away some wood from the back of the cell (not for the ham-handed).

 

I had this problem with a push reed on my Stagi Hayden Duet. Button Box, where I bought it, fixed it quickly and at no charge. Believe all the good things you hear about The Button Box folks!

 

Keep in mind that the cause could be something else -- but many other causes also detune the reed.

 

EDITED to add -- I think this is more likely on a pull than a push reed, but now I am having trouble recalling which direction my own problem occurred. But sure seems that it was on push.

--Mike K.

 

Mike - The buzz happens when the reed is pushed and played softly, no buzz on the pull. When I play louder the buzz disappears. It is new and under warranty, although I did not get this particular concertina at the Button Box, I don't doubt that the vendor will honor the warranty. But I guess I should not expect it to improve on its own.

 

Thanks,

lmc

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Mike - The buzz happens when the reed is pushed and played softly, no buzz on the pull. When I play louder the buzz disappears. It is new and under warranty, although I did not get this particular concertina at the Button Box, I don't doubt that the vendor will honor the warranty. But I guess I should not expect it to improve on its own.

Thanks,

lmc

So it buzzes when played softly, but not loud? Interesting. Could be the flap valve, or the reed is off-side in its frame, but it's something the vendor should fix.

 

Unless those with more experience and know-how have suggestions for you to try. But if your reeds are waxed in, they can be tricky to get to. Your push reeds are visible (on the outside of the reed cells), but their valves are inside, under the reeds. --Mike K.

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So it buzzes when played softly, but not loud? Interesting. Could be the flap valve, or the reed is off-side in its frame, but it's something the vendor should fix.

 

This can happen if the valve which should closed is slightly curved so that it flutters under light air pressure, but closes completely when the pressure is increased. It may be curved up at the tip, but I've also seen this happen where the valve tip was in contact with the reedplate but with a slight arc along its length. If its a leather valve it might be made to lie flat by stroking it gently with a blunt blade while a piece of thin material is placed under the valve to support it. If its a plastic valve it may need to be replaced. On a push note the valve in question is the one you can see, next to the reed. No need to disturb any wax.

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