While surfing... I came upon a trick (just one of many folks toy with) that envolves varnishing the "Inside" of an accordion to establish a brightness to the overall sound.

This theory came from some of the discussion items of those who are building an accordion. Folks such as Brian, Greg, Bruce and a guy I have not seen or heard of in a good while, buddy Bret C. Kudos to each of you brave souls who are doing something to be well admired in this personalized accordion building thing!

Where was I? Oh yeah.... Old craftsmen used varnish concoctions (some were a secretive mixture) to achieve a specific rensonance of sound in high end violins... On the forefront of accordion construction..
Some builders have experimented with this old method with finishing off the "interior" of an accordion for creating a bright sound. Fact, Fiction or Speculation? I don't know for sure what the effect produces. It does make sense though, worth asking about.

What I do know about my own boxes:
I have opened every accordion I have (four accordions)to inspect the guts (at differant times). Nope, there is no finished wood inside containing varnish or any other sealer (for that matter)that I could see. Beyond the reeds/blocks, wax, screws, glue and penciled signing/date and numbering.... I saw no varnish or sealer of any sorts.

Question:
Have you cracked (figure of speach) open and taken a peek inside?
Who has a finished interior containing a varnish or sealer?
If so; Is it bright sounding as a comparison?
If there is truth to this brighness trick; Can it be done after the fact (once built)?

Nonc D

3 accordions, no varnish inside, Nonc. I heard about this discussion too, and it makes some sense to me. It might give some difference. Maybe you should use this 2 components stuff which gives a real hard surface.

I wonder if not any of the more experienced builders like Savoy already tried it and rejected it.
Which probably makes a difference: One of mine accordions has the reeds screwed on leather, no wax. It gives a drier and some say milder tone. But the reeds are different, so no direct comparision. Advantage: reeds cannot fall off in the trunk .

Gus

While learning to build accordions I studied the specs. of the most expensive and professional piano accordions and found that most of the best ones had the inside completely varnished, reed blocks and all. So that is what I did to my custom build ones if the customer wanted it. BTW, just a point of fact, I had been building furniture and woodcarving for many years before building accordions.

About the best comparison I can give anyone is to see the difference when you close the door of a car with all cloth interior and one with all leather. Now to a degree the one with all leather or naugahide sounds louder, especially older cars. Understandably this may not be the best comparison but you can notice the difference. Those accordions with varnished insides seem brighter and a little louder but then it may depend on the tuning. For instance, musette tuned accordions seem to sound louder.

I hope this helps guys.