Hi - brand new to accordion. Found a used 114 on ebay and recently got. Messing around for a few days - trying to follow along w/ a youtube instructional video I realized that the bass spoons are not level and air is just whooshing thru both - I had been playing with both basses going. How embarrassing. :)

Ok - so looking at them closely now - there is just bare metal on the bottom - is there supposed to be something there? I'm guessing some sort of fabric, leather? Also - the spoons do not fit evenly on their holes, what I mean is they are not flat. I have stuck some felt under there just to shut them off for now while I work on right hand lessons.

Is there a quick, easy way to fix? Any repair shops in the greater Charlotte NC region? I already like my little Hohner but it has obviously been rode hard and put away wet.

p.s. I am having great fun reading thru these forums! This is a nice place.

yes, there should be a "sealing pad" under each of the spoon keys. The original "pads" are about 1/16" thick, which when replaced, will probably solve the problem of the spoon not sitting flat. Sorry I can't help you with a recommendation on repairs in your area as I am in southeast Texas.
Jude

thank you! I will try to find some and order them today.

Welcome to the group. You definitely came to the right place for information on Cajun Accordion. Several members play professionally and there are accordion builders on this forum as well. Anything you need to know, you will find here. The members are all happy to help. For repairs, you might want to contact the Savoy Music Center. Marc Savoy sells and repairs the Hohner 114 model. He also builds one of the best Cajun accordions on the market. Here is the web site: http://savoymusiccenter.com/. As far as instruction, I highly recommend Big NIcks DVDs. They are professionally produced and easy to follow. Nick is an excellent teacher and will teach you the proper way to play. They are very reasonably priced. I bought all three sets and never regretted it. Good luck and keep squeezin'.

Welcome, RG. Nice to have you on (the) board.
The Hohner 114 is a nice box, but the spoons are quite vulnerable. But also easy to repair. Just bend (and don't break) the metal. I'm 0% technical, and I fixed this problem too. Under the spoons you can glue anything soft, like leather, rubber or plastic, and there will be no more leak if you make sure the spoon falls flat on the hole (that's where the bending comes in. I don't think you need a repairer for that.
OK, good luck!

Thanks Peer, that is excellent info, I will take a stab at it! I understand exactly what you are describing to do as far as 'bending'. I have some leathery type fabric around here somewhere, I'll try to use that as my 'pad'.

thanks again! :)

And Dana thanks also - I am definately going to get Big Nick's DVD soon, I really like his lessons he has on his website, I'm sure the DVD is fantastic. I have also listened to him a LOT on youtube. :) I like his playing style.

Much of the Hohner spoon gasket material was 1/16th in cork sheet

Try an auto parts store. Barring that try .060 Inch gasket material

Use contact cement

FIXED! Found some thin cork at crafts store, already had contact cement. After I had put the cork on I very carefully bent the spoons down - it didn't take much - they are perfectly flat now and work fine. :)

Thank you to everyone who gave me advice on this thread! Now comes the hard part - actually incorporating my left hand into the mix. lol.

You're welcome.