Troubleshooting an Accordion Reed
Although seemingly simple from the outside, accordions are rather complicated musical instruments. They make sound when air passes through a number of pitched reeds, which consist of a flat plate with two slots riveted to a steel strip (reed) that vibrates, with each plate having two reeds, one for each direction of airflow. The three scenarios for troubleshooting accordion reeds are: the reeds either work correctly, they don't work at all or they produce sour notes, and the average accordion has about 366 reeds: Each one must be inspected individually. Although they usually require professional tuning and repair, inspecting accordion reeds at home can help determine which reeds are faulty, provided you know what to look for.
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Instructions
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Open the accordion cover. At the top of the accordion, manually disconnect the two latches holding the cover in place. Remove the cover to expose the reed blocks inside. The reed blocks are similar to large harmonicas.
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Unscrew the reed block mounting screws located at each end of the reed blocks. Use either a Phillips-head or flat-head screwdriver, to remove the screws and take out the reed blocks.
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Troubleshoot the accordion reeds, one at a time, on both sides of the reed block. Inspect each reed for a number of different defects commonly known to cause issues. First, look for any missing reed valves. Also, identify any loose rivets holding the reeds together, and any other noticeable damage to the reed assemblies.
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Inspect the reeds for dirt and corrosion. Rust and dirt are common causes of reed malfunction, and each reed needs carefully inspection to identify dirt and corrosion.
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Identify any improper reed clearances. According to Ike's Accordion Service, "The reed tip has to lie slightly above the slot, generally about equal to its thickness." Too large a gap may cause notes to go sharp, and too small a clearance can starve the reed of air, causing the reed to "choke."
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Write down all problems encountered while inspecting the individual reeds. This gives an idea on how much is wrong with the accordion, and is a guide for repairs for an accordion professional. To re-assemble the accordion, place the reed blocks in correctly and re-attach the reed-block mounting screws.
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Tips & Warnings
Never touch an accordion reed with your fingers. Salt and acids found on skin may further damage accordion reeds.
References
Resources
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