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Re: Going to try Brass Binci (only plates, reeds are steel) in my Walnut Acadian

I'm sure there will be something of a difference. Maybe slight, but I wanted to replace the reeds anyway. It's my first handmade, and the first one I figured out how to tune. Lots of trial and error, but all the original reeds still respond perfectly and sound good. Might not sound as good as brand new ones though.

Binci are some tough and very responsive reeds, I must say. Don't like the sound of them as much as Salpa and Hohner reeds, though. But there's give and take. Hohners don't respond as good, and break much easier than both Binci and Salpa. Salpas supposedly aren't as durable as Bincis, but I still like the sound of Hohner reeds the best.

Unfortunately, as I said, Hohner reeds are gas guzzlers, but they are absolutely loud if in a good reed block, like in my Doucet accordion

Re: Going to try Brass Binci (only plates, reeds are steel) in my Walnut Acadian

As for reasoning why brass, i have worked on & tuned a few C and Bb brass reed fitted onerows, and own Ted's old Eb now. The walnut am retrofitting i felt could benefit from the highs boost brass plate Bincis seem to bring onto the floor, compared to aluminums. The same is maybe with aluminum Salpas and Antonellies, they sound a bit brighter than Binci, probably not as loud though. - My jobbing walnut D however sounds OK as it is, and i wouldn't consider converting that one. My first Acadian is a birdseye maple C, and that one is just perfect with it's alu Bincis, as many other Acadians, Bon Cajuns and Martins i saw. Some indeed sound less alas.

- Curious about Hohner's gazzing: Jim, are you sure it's the reeds themselves? I had a lot of doings once with an old "not to mention the maker's (RIP) name here" brand using too much air it seemed, with brass bincis. Puzzling why turned out it was due sloppy and loosely fitted slides, causing internal leaking. A guitar making friend helped me there adding 1.5 to 2 mm strokes of hardwood to the sides of them, and that improved matters significantly. - Nout

Re: Going to try Brass Binci (only plates, reeds are steel) in my Walnut Acadian

The Hohner's larger bassoon reeds and bass note (the big one), use loads of air, no matter what accordion they're in. And they are very slow in response. The rest of the reeds are sweet, but they're more breakable...

You read my mind about the Walnut. It needs a bit more high end, and I'm hoping to achieve more brightness, with the brass pans. But, won't know until I actually get them in

Brass plates = heavy

I think they will "sing" nicely, but it's going to add 5 lbs. to the weight of the accordion!

Re: Brass plates = heavy

Brass is 11% heavier than steel.

if the whole accordion was 11% heavier it would only be half a pound

are the plates the same size though?
i have never really understood this
if the whole accordion was 11% heavier it would only be half a pound
how can a box with brass reeds be all that much heavier?

wle

Re: if the whole accordion was 11% heavier it would only be half a pound

Brass plates are thinner, but noticeably heavier than the aluminum. I have a set of aluminum Ciccarelli reeds, which are 10.2 ounces, and a set of brass base Ciccarelli reeds, which are 18.2 ounces. But the brass based reeds are a slightly smaller dimension to match the old Salpa reeds, so not an exact comparison, but close enough to give an idea.

Dwight, both use steel reeds, the only difference is the plate the reeds are attached to.

Brass pans may be heavy, but walnut = light

Not too worried about it. Will let you know how it turns out. First I have to get my vision back



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