[Harp-L] Re: Hohner Organette

[Rick Epping <rickepping@xxxxxxxxx>]

Sorry folks, I forgot to change the subject line when I posted this reply...

>
> Hi Greg,
>
> The Organette is a member of the blow accordion family, and a cool
> instrument to play.  Unlike the melodica, which is blow only, blow
> accordions play on both blow and draw and are single action, like
> harmonicas and diatonic accordions.  It's keys are set up exactly like
> those of a single-row melodeon, or cajun accordion: ten melody keys for the
> right hand and two bass/chord keys for the left.  The melody keys are tuned
> similar to those of a German-style tremolo harmonica.  The lower of the
> bass keys plays the tonic fundamental on the blow and the dominant
> fundamental on the draw. The upper bass key plays the tonic chord on the
> blow and the dominant chord on the draw.
>
> It's been a good few years since I've worked on one, but I recall that the
> reeds are set in with accordion reed wax.  By now, the wax in your
> Organette is probably dry, brittle, and prone to cracking, leaving the reed
> plates loose and rattling.  If the wax turns white and powdery when you
> scratch it, it should be replaced with new reed wax.
>
> The valves are most likely leather, and may or may not have become stiff.
>  Italian leather reed valves are unsuitable
> as replacement material because they quickly become stiff after drying out
> from playing.  PVC accordion reed valves, like Hohner uses today, are also
> unsuitable because they're smooth and will stick to the reed plates when
> wet from breath condensation.  The old-style German leather reed valves,
> like on the Organette, are no longer available to my knowledge.  Your best
> bet may be either to recondition the original valves or replace them with a
> synthetic leather, like Ultrasuede.  If you choose to recondition the
> leather valves, take a look at the video I posted on the subject: Installing
> leather harmonica valves <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NFrUKEeQ1UU>
>
> Some old leather valves will remain too stiff after being re-curled as
> shown in the video.  I've found that if you re-curl them again with the nap
> side out, and then yet again with the grain side out, repeating this
> procedure as many times as necessary, you can reduce the valve's tension to
> the desired amount.  And as I say in the video, the only cement that should
> be used for leather valves is shellac.
>
> Best regards,
> Rick
>
>>
>> Message: 11
>> Date: Tue, 25 Dec 2012 12:02:14 -0600
>> From: Greg Jones <greg@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx <javascript:_e({},
>> 'cvml', 'greg@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx');>>
>> Subject: [Harp-L] Hohner Organette
>> To: harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx <javascript:_e({}, 'cvml', 'harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx');>
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>>
>> Merry Christmas and may the Lord find you all in his favor!
>>
>> Anyone out there have any information, pics, data, or playing samples on
>> the Hohner Organette.
>> I'm helping a customer out and working on one.
>>
>> Pretty old piece of gear.  Looks like mix between a clarinet, bassoon and
>> sax.
>>
>> --
>> *Greg Jones*
>> *16:23 Custom Harmonicas*
>> *(210) 445-6600*
>> *http://1623customharmonicas.com/* <http://1623customharmonicas.com/>
>>
>>
>>