Are old accordions worth any money?
120 bass piano accordions in good condition start at about USD 300, but you might find old, 2-voice instruments for about USD 100; on the other hand, full size, 3/4, 3/5 or 4/5 reeds, 120 bass instruments of a good brand are a bit more expensive.
How much does it cost to repair an accordion?
It may look fine on the outside, but unfortunately – components inside an accordion do not age gracefully. Hundreds of reeds are attached with beeswax that gets brittle; tiny leather reed-valves can curl or fall off. Cost to restore can range from $750 to $1500 or more.
Can accordions go out of tune?
That said, accordions will eventually go out of tune and need to be tuned by a professional. A proper tuning requires that the reeds first be serviced so that the wax, valve and tongue on each side are positioned properly.
Can Accordion be repaired?
You don’t need fancy tools or expensive electronic instruments to fix your accordion. Nearly everything you will need to do can be done with standard tools you can get at the hardware store and a few special tools you can easily make from steel or aluminum rods or in some cases, from hardwood.
How do you fix a stuck accordion button?
Wipe the metal poles that are attached to the bass buttons with a clean, damp cloth. Clean around where the bass buttons protrude with cotton swabs and Goo Be Gone to remove dirt and grime, then wipe the buttons with a dry cloth. Replace the back panel on the accordion. Test the buttons to ensure they do not stick.
Can accordion bellows be repaired?
Accordions have thousands of moving parts and hundreds of reeds, and seldom has any repair or maintenance been performed, because America has very few qualified accordion repair persons, and many people who “repair” accordions are not qualified, and often do more harm than good.
How much does a good accordion cost?
Accordions can be a bit on the expensive side. You can expect to pay over $500 if you’re looking for the very best beginner accordion. However, some great options also exist in the $300-$500 range as well.
Is it hard to learn the accordion?
It isn’t too hard to learn the accordion. With daily practice, you should start to get comfortable in about 3 or 4 months. The hard part about learning how to play accordion is making your hands work independently – pressing the keys and buttons while moving the bellows back and forth.
Where do you store an accordion?
Accordions should be kept in a clean and dry place where an even temperature prevails. Never put you accordion near a radiator, hot air vent or in direct sunlight. Keep your accordion away from moisture or very damp conditions (important).
How often should you tune an accordion?
The accordion is a relatively robust instrument, which requires little maintenance to be kept in good working condition. Some points are important. A revision is necessary every 2 years, and tuning every 4-5 years. An accordion should always be left on its feet!
How often do accordions need to be tuned?
Not always. It depends on how the accordion is played, and how much. Some reeds will go out of tune through over playing and incorrect use. Generally, an accordion should be cleaned and serviced approximately every two to three years.
What is double octave tuning?
Double Octave – also called “straight tuning” employs the use of 4′ and 16′ reed to give a two octave spread, hence “double octave”. 8′ (on pitch) reeds are also incorporated into the voicing. Double octave accordions sound “dryer” than their musette counterparts, their tone resembling that of a bandoneon.
What is wet tuning?
Rather than being tuned exactly in unison, they are intentionally set very slightly out of tune, which affects the tone of the overall sound the listener hears for each note, and more so for chords.