How to Glue a Loose Accordion Reed

Don't abandon an old or broken accordion. Try to fix it yourself.

Accordions are formed from as many as five banks of reeds. These reeds control the sounds emitted from accordions. Reeds are offset in relation to each other, to create notes in different octaves and pitches. They are generally arranged in five types of configurations by different accordion manufacturers. When a reed becomes dislodged from the wax base it sits in, an unpleasant buzzing sound may occur. You can take your accordion to a professional instrument repair shop, or try to adhere the reed back in place yourself.

Things You'll Need

• Sharp knife
• 9 tbsp. beeswax
• 1 tbsp. resin
• Glass dish
• Wax paper

Instructions

1. Carefully and very gently open the accordion. Locate the reed blocks holding the reeds in place inside. Inspect the reed blocks under a bright light in a quiet, dust-free space.

2. Use a flashlight, if necessary, to locate the reed that has become unglued. Since reeds are held to their blocks by wax, you should be able to notice a reed block with broken wax. This loose attachment may be the source of the unpleasant sounds coming from your accordion.

3. Gently remove the reed from the block, by using a knife to cut through the wax around the reed. Remove any nails or pins that might also be holding the reed to the block.

4. Mix a new batch of wax to replace the damaged wax in the reed block, to glue the reed back in place to the block securely. Combine 9 tbsp. beeswax, 1 tbsp. resin and three drops of linseed oil in a small glass dish lined with wax paper. Slowly melt the wax.

5. Test the wax before applying it to your accordion, by pouring a small amount onto a disposable plate and sticking a piece of wood into the wax. Wait for the wax to solidify and contract around the wood, adhering it to the disposable plate securely. This process should take about 5 minutes.

6. Gently replace the reed back into its original placement in the reed block. Use a small spoon to pour the melted wax mixture beneath the reed, around its front and back edges. Be extremely careful not to get the wax onto any other part of the accordion, as this could damage it. Wait for the wax to solidify and contract around the reed, gluing it into place. Replace any nails or tips, if they were originally used to hold the reed in place.

Resources

• Talking Reeds: Reed Configurations
• Accordion Lab: How to Care for Your Accordion