I have a Pointe Noir D accordion built by the late Dick Richard. One of the reeds on the pull B note is squeaking and is off pitch. I took it to a repairman, but he is used to piano type accordions where the reeds aren't waxed in. He has identified which reed is the problem, but is at a loss as to how to get a new one and install it.

Help as I am in Canada.

J Mc

Why does he think it needs to be replaced? Could be something caught in the reed or valve?

Last time I checked, piano accordion reeds are waxed in too.

The only difference is that the Cajun accordion's reeds have a different note on push and pull. That is the absolute, only difference in the reed.

Removing and replacing a reed is a cinch. If you can get the old one out, make sure when you put the new one in that it directly laying on the wood chamber; make sure no wax gets stuck under the new reed. You can re-melt the wax by heating up a glasses screwdriver, or pointed file on a stove. Don't do any of this if your hands are not steady. If you end up melting the wax and it gets in your reed, you'll have to remove the leather (if the reed has one) and clean the reed with rubbing alcohol. Or if you get wax on the leather, you'll ruin the leather. They can be replaced, and it won't hurt the reed, but it requires precision. NOTE: when putting a new reed in, make sure you have the side facing up that has the line in the top right corner of the plate. That is to identify the push reed and the one facing up....

Tuning the new reed to match your accordion is a different story. That takes a lot of practice... chances are that the reed will be closely in tune, but chances are also that it won't be spot on.

I don't know if this is a good idea ..
Perhaps Dana and Jim can comment.

But what I have used for touch-up and remelting
wax in small areas, is a Weller adjustable
temperature solder station adjusted to a very low
temperature. It has a small chisel tip.

It seemed to work well for me. I can melt or puddle the
wax with no danger of burning anything because of
the low temperature setting.

--Big Nick

Just to let you know I ordered a replacement reed from Marc's shop in Eunice. the old one must have been defective as it broke. It was not expensive and easy to replace. My Pointe Noir is as good as new. thanks for all your advice. J Mc

You should be able to get a new reed (if needed) from FRM Enterprises in Canada. There are quite a few builders there that build 10 button accordions that might help. But I agree with Brian it's likely the reed is ok. You can just go ahead and take the reed out and look to see if debris is in the reed. Clean and reinstall. In most cases you can just push some of the wax aside and lift out the reed.

J Mc, I really think you need to take your accordion to another "repairman". A squeaking off pitch reed is not automatically reason to replace, and removing and replacing a waxed in reed is one of the more basic simple repair jobs. There are some accordions that are not waxed, but I can't imagine any repairman that hasn't seen waxed in reeds.

If a piano accordeon tech can't diagnose, identify and correct a diatonic reed problem, I wouldn't let him touch my piano accordeon. You've go the wrong person.

What city ? Perhaps someone can give you a referral to a competent tech.

Have you opened the box and looked at the reed ?
This is easy and need not be feared. I am guessing you can fix it yourself.

Have you depressed the button and vigorously pumped the bellows to see if this condition clears itself?

Brian and others here can coach you to open the box and isolate the reed. What you describe is not necessarily a busted reed... unlikely.

Re-reading your post... your tech doesn't know where to get a reed or how to install it? You must be joking. Elemental my dear Watson.

I can walk you through it if you want