but button tension is set by the spring
you can adjust it yourself
9 or 10 button shouldn;t affect that
also, the lighter the tension, the more the
accordion will leak when compressed [push]
air will leak out around the flappers more if
there is less tension to hold them shut
[in practice this rarely makes any difference,
since, to actually play a note, some flappers
must be open, and then, 99% of the air
going through the accordion, is going through
the open hole/s]
Larry,
I'm not sure you understood what I was saying about button tension. I was not relating it to the number of buttons on the box, but trying to answer his question about what might affect inflaming his tendonitis.
From my personal experience, lightening the button tension allowed me to play about three times as long before pain set in.
There are disadvantages to lightening the tension. You named one. (leaking air)
The other is that you can not play as fast without the playing sounding "mushy" because the "flappers" do not return to position as fast with lighter springs.
Agree fully with the button tension and tendonitis. (see my previous reply above)About the speed of the flappers and the leak: My Miller (D) leaks a little when the pressure (Push) is very high. But it doesn't happen when playing like you could read in one of the other replies.
My acadian C(very low tension too) doesnt have this. I noticed that the distance between buttons and flappers is less. ( cannot check this not since I am in China now without instruments) Slightly different measures. Maybe this can explain the difference, too. I am very satisfied with the responding (flappers back into position) and the tone of both. Little tension in my opinion forces you to play more exactly otherwise it will go too fast and you loose control. Like it this way But maybe DP is right. I have to watch this and experience it in the future.
I took delivery of a 9 button in August built by Mr. Miller. I love it. After years of playing an Irish Cairdin Mini-Deluxe it is perfect. It is as loud as just about anything I have heard except maybe Mr. Savoys accordions. I asked this same question a couple of months ago and the general consensus was go with what you like. For me, it was the smaller box. As Johnny Ace points out, if you are into Zydeco you will need that button though.