Hi everyone,
what is the way to determine when the bellows are getting too old. My bellows are intact with no holes or tape repairs but I wonder if they run out of air volume quicker than a new bellows. The accordion was built 40+ years ago and these might be the original bellows, although I’m not sure. I am not a good player yet and I realize that can factor in as well. Just curious what others experience. Thanks.
Don
Don, if your bellow is still in good shape, as you state, then it should not "run out of air". Here is a good test: open the accordion about 6" or so. With NO buttons pressed, apply slight pressure pushing and pulling and feel if there are any air leaks. If there are no air leaks, the bellow is fine. Air leaks can come from any number of problems, not associated with the bellow.
My suggestion is that if the bellow is not the source of an air leak, replacing it is not necessary. My 2 cents worth.
Jude