Concertina note not sounding

Subject: Concertina note not sounding
From: GUEST,Ed
Date: 09 Sep 12 - 12:07 PM

Having not played it for a couple of years, I've just dug out my C/G Anglo Concertina.

It plays quite well, but the high G on the G row doesn't sound. The E on the pull is fine, but the G on the push is silent.

It's only a cheap thing, so no point spending any money on it. Any ideas?

Thanks, Ed

Subject: RE: Concertina note not sounding
From: catspaw49
Date: 09 Sep 12 - 12:41 PM

Sounds like a good start..........


Spaw

Subject: RE: Concertina note not sounding
From: Crane Driver
Date: 09 Sep 12 - 12:51 PM

Probably no more than a bit of dust stuck in the reed. Happens a lot. Take the end off, locate the reed, 'twang' the metal tongue a few times with a small screwdriver, that usually fixes it. DO NOT loosen the metal tongue in it's holder - if it moves in the holder, the note will change. Make sure you put the end back on the right way.

Andrew

Subject: RE: Concertina note not sounding
From: Steve Gardham
Date: 09 Sep 12 - 01:36 PM

On those cheap boxes sometimes the valve, a piece of leather or thin plastic gets sucked into the cavity where the reed is. If it doesn't move by giving it a hard push/pull on the offending key have a look inside to see if you can pull the flap/valve out gently.

Subject: RE: Concertina note not sounding
From: treewind
Date: 09 Sep 12 - 02:28 PM

Dust stuck in reed is likely as Andrew says; also likely if the box hasn't been played for a long time is a valve (that's the leather flap on the other side of the slot from the reed) simply sticking down. Gently lift it away to unstick it, and try not to bend or curl the valve as you do it.

Subject: RE: Concertina note not sounding
From: GUEST,Ebor_Fiddler
Date: 09 Sep 12 - 03:32 PM

Have you tried Concertina.net? They're a friendly bunch of guys and dolls

Subject: RE: Concertina note not sounding
From: The Sandman
Date: 09 Sep 12 - 04:36 PM

the advice given here is correct , why try concertina net?, you could possibly stir up a hornets nest of different opinions, I would be surprised if its not one of the 2 suggestions, personally i never flick the reed[ although it is common practice] but just put a slither of paper between the reed and the shoe ,it generally works , if it doesnt try treewinds advice, but look at the reed first

Subject: RE: Concertina note not sounding
From: Peter the Squeezer
Date: 09 Sep 12 - 05:41 PM

If you are brave enough to take the instrument apart, assuming no valves are stuck, and find the reed that is causing the problem, it could be, as Crane Driver suggests, a bit of grit stuck under the reed itself. Solution is to GENTLY slide a bit of thin paper under to free the offending object. Rizla cigarette papers are ideal.

Hope this helps.

Good luck!

Peter

Subject: RE: Concertina note not sounding
From: catspaw49
Date: 09 Sep 12 - 06:36 PM

Every concertina player needs cigarette papers so you can roll up a big doobie and then pay no attention to what a hideous sound the concertina makes. Works even better if you roll a few for your audience as well............


Spaw

Subject: RE: Concertina note not sounding
From: EBarnacle
Date: 09 Sep 12 - 10:26 PM

I have used Peter's solution many times over the past 38 years. It almost invariably works.

Subject: RE: Concertina note not sounding
From: Gurney
Date: 10 Sep 12 - 01:09 AM

One point. Mark the offending button with a dab of something. It looks confusing when the endplate is off.

Subject: RE: Concertina note not sounding
From: GUEST,Ed
Date: 10 Sep 12 - 06:09 AM

Thanks very much for your replies, everyone.

I don't have a screwdriver to hand right now, but will hopefully recover my toolbox later this week. I will then open the concertina up, see what I can do, and report back.

Thanks again for all your advice.

Ed

Subject: RE: Concertina note not sounding
From: Howard Jones
Date: 10 Sep 12 - 06:00 PM

Every concertina player should carry a screwdriver at all times.

Subject: RE: Concertina note not sounding
From: Myrtle's cook
Date: 11 Sep 12 - 06:34 AM

If you can get a brass bladed one all the better - as brass is softer than the steel used in concertina construction it will foul before damaging end screws etc. Not sure if they are still made, but they turn up second hand quite frequently (apparently they were often used for maintaining fire arms for the same reason - that they would damage before they inflicted any damage on the weapon).

Subject: RE: Concertina note not sounding
From: The Sandman
Date: 11 Sep 12 - 06:44 AM

thanks myrtle .useful info

Subject: RE: Concertina note not sounding
From: Bob Bolton
Date: 12 Sep 12 - 02:23 AM

G'day Myrtle's cook,

personally I've no time for 'inferior' tools ... for careful precision work. A good 'jeweller's screwdriver' (selected from your good set of different-sized same) ... a steady hand and a keen eye ... and carful attention to what you are doing .. and what you don't want to happen (damage, etcetera).

I had the job of sorting out the complaints of several of my concertinas that had been left unplayed far too long, recently.

Everything opened ... inspected ... rectified as necessary ... and correctly back together ... with one good example of the right tool for the job. You can't talk the bits back into shape / place / condition - and nobody somewhere else can either!

Regard(les)s,

Bob