hey matt. I usually get my accordian "checked up on" at least once every 6 months. And the other obvious would be if it sounds like there is a broken reed. Leaving your accordian out of the case around the house isnt bad but if you smoke or you have smokers in the household the accordian would start smelling like smoke sooner or later being out of the case. Another thing about leaving the accordian out the case in your house is if you have little children running around make sure it is in a high place where they cant reach it to tear it up. Hope this helps.

thanks Aaron; since I get through my repertoire of 1.25 songs fairly quickly, I can probably get by with getting it checked less than you would need to, you think? And, with no kids, pets, or smokers, should be safe for me to leave it out so long as I don't get extremely hot or cold temperatures in the house, or high humidity? So, unless something breaks, or starts sounding 'off' to me, I don't need to get the reeds, bellows, or stops checked on any kind of a routine basis? Also, since Mr. Miller made it, should I always try and get him to check it first?

I too have one of Larry's boxes. Love it. Been playing little over a year. Wondering how you got started. Have you found all the "how to" media? Sorry to change the subject. Just wondering how others are getting started and how it is going.

I too, have wondered about maintenance. One question I had was how you leave your box temporarily between practices. I usually leave mine unbuttoned, and noticed the bellows relax a bit from full push but don't open up much. I usually lay a cotton cloth over it if I leave it too long so it doesn't get dusty. Should one always button it up to keep the bellows fully closed or doesn't it matter?

The Bon Cajun is do darned pretty I like to leave it out just to look at when I can't play.

so which are your 1.25 songs?

Hal

hey matt, beings larry miller is retiring (dont know when) it doesnt matter if you bring it to him or not. Any accordian maker would do, although I have found some to be better than others that doesnt matter either just as long as they know what they are doing. A personal favorite for repairs is Jude Moreau.

Always keep your bellows closed when you're not playing. If you leave the bellows open too often it will get to the point that you wont be able to close the bellow straps even if you wanted to. It also leads to air loss when playing, and flimsy bellows from loosing thier shape.
John

Hal, I also have a Bon Cajun "C" that is about 1 1/2 years old. I find that by leaving it out, I tend to pick it up more often. It is pretty but I do keep a polishing cloth over it most of the time. I usually button the straps but sometimes just leave it barely open.

On the subject of Larry retiring, I just ordered a new "D" box and had very limited choice of woods. He has pre-cut all of the bass side enclosures and other wood parts he will ever use. He will retire when the last bass side is gone.

By the way, this is my first post - this is a great site!

Mike

I just wonder if this is like those collectables with (limited) issues in which there will only be 15 stamping days. But the catch is that they stamp about 1 million a day. So there goes the limited!! You have to admit it is pretty good marketing though. So what we have here is a comment that Larry has cut all the bass sides he will ever use. That could be pretty many if ever means the rest of his life.

Hey somebody has to notice these things.

How. What a coincidence. I too have a D accordion on order from Larry. Should be ready any day now. It will be made out of curly walnut. His very last. Can't wait. Let me know when you get yours. I was going to get pictures posted of both as soon as I can. See link #1 for a picture of my C box.


Hal

I will post some pics with the link shortly. My "C" is blue-stained maple. The "D" should be ready in about 3 weeks and will be a rosewood of some variety supposedly from Jeruselem. Larry did tell me that he was out of curly walnut when I ordered mine - Now I know who got the last one!

Larry is a great person. I have spoken to him on several occasions and have visited his shop. I know he does not have some kind of mass inventory of ready-to-assemble cut wood. He will be retiring from making accordions but he will continue to service his products for some time - including a free tuning after initial break-in.

Let me know how you like your new "D".