RINOLDI CORNER

Easy solutions. How to tune your accordion yourself.

If your accordion went totally out of tune, or if there are a single or a few “sour” notes, there are simple fixes that you can try and bring its sound back in all its splendor. I guarantee you that, if you follow these instructions, you will save HUNDREDS and even you will be able to make HUNDREDS tuning accordions for others.

BASIC MATERIALS AND TOOLS:

1) Fine grit sandpaper
2) Assorted screwdrivers
3) Beeswax
4) Dremel type tool
5) Electronic tuner with digital display (Available at music stores for as low as $15.00)
6) Crochet needle
7) 15 watt solder
8) Razor Blades

Those are the BASICS. You will need more if you want to get more sophisticated, but the above list will be enough for starting.

WHY DO THEY GET “OUT OF TUNE”?

There are a couple of metal reeds for each note. One of then work with “bellows in” movement, and the other one with “bellows out”. They are made out of steel. Good steel! But steel gets covered by rust and dirt. Rusty reeds are the main cause of “out of tune” notes. hence, your first task is to remove that rust and dirt from the reeds so they come as close as possible to their original specs. The sandpaper will help when rust is heavy. Removing all rust will take all the notes relatively close to the right tune.
CLOSE, but not close enough…
And here they come! The dremel tool, the tuner, the beeswax, the “crochet” needle. Why do I need a crochet needle here, you might ask. Easy! If you fail and trash your accordion, you can take needlepoint as a hobby.
Well, that was a bad joke. You won’t hurt your accordion if you follow these very easy instructions. The crochet needle is used just to push the reed tongue out slightly so you can insert something solid underneath (like a thin knife or razor blade) in order to be able to “sand” the reed.

Believe me! A pro can charge you $200.00 minimum for tuning your accordion. If you want to pay for this, it is up to you. Let’s call the above “chapter one”. I will be writing “chapter 2″ in a few. In the meantime, why don’t you gather the basic stuff? YOU WON’T NEED A SHOP FOR THIS (of course, a dedicated space would be fantastic). Your kitchen can act as your atelier, and the dining table as your bench. Just ask your wife’s permission - do not offer her a concert, usually it won’t help.
See you soon!

Filed under: Accordion