OK - on a potentially good box like a Wheatstone I would allow more latitude on sounding notes etc, on a german or similar no-name box I would be ultra cautious even though I can do most of the repairs my self. If you have the knowledge to identify the problems and remedies you are in a reasonable position, for a novice I would take a more cautious approach. Hence my somewhat draconian comment!

All the best

Steve

PS I know infecting bellows with tape should be a capital offence, in my defence I can only say it worked and at the time it was all I could afford!