I think it depends a lot on your particular accordion, the type of reeds and your playing style. The tighter the accordion (air-tight, that is) the more pressure one can exert. If you play lots of octaves, blends, and the bass box, then there is less pressure...If you play basically single note and no bass box and really "yank it around" then you are much more prone to breaking reeds. It seem to me that the 6 and 7 pull reeds are the most prone to breaking in a Cajun accordion due to the style we play. Normally, it would be the high reeds (piccolo) or one of the middle sets that are most commonly broken, but I have broken one in the bass row, also. I think most of the reeds from Italy hold up pretty well...maybe Antonelli being one of the "tougher" ones in my experience. Binci is what is in mine...I have broken about 4Binci reeds in the last 25 years. I had an accordion with Tupelo (hohner) reeds, but I broke many more of them...probably about 10-15 in about a ten year period. I play medium to hard force...there are many who play harder than me and many who play more gently...I think I am pretty much in the middle. Sean Vidrine who has a La Louisianne accordion has broken many reeds on his 3/4 size boxes...probably because the accordions are very airtight, small, and he plays a very agressive style. I think he has eiher Binci or maybe Salpa reeds in his accordions.

I have never heard of anyone mixing a set of reeds from different manufacturers...at least not on purpose.

It seems that the builders I deal with DO have replacement reeds and they do not like to break sets in order to do repairs.

Chris, thanks a bunch ... while I have a lot of questionable couriosity (and questions), you touched on a gob of what I was seeking and hoping to get answered.

Thanks again Chris... my best to your wife and kids, and, hope you each are well.

Nonc D

I agree with Chris.
The #7 in the high reed bank seems to be the most often broken.

I have replaced that exact reed in Maureen's, Andrew's and Blair's accordions for them.

As well as in an old Hohner I have and Richard Domingue's Bb box.

DP

Yep just broke my 7 push reed on my Falcon. Salpa number ones. Covered it with tape until Randy can send me a replacement. First one I've broken. Have played the accordion pretty much everyday for about 2 years.

Mark

Nonc,
Individual replacement reeds are available. Larry Miller was getting them from Binci before he retired.
I won't go into detail about breaking reeds here but,
in 25 years of playing, I have yet to break one.

Chris, I believe that you may well never break another reed since we did a little "work" on your accordions.
You don't play that hard my friend. I think your problem has been cured. Time will tell. It will be interesting to see if I'm right.
Jude