Welcome to old and new friends who are interested in discussing Cajun and other diatonic accordions, along with some occasional lagniappe....



CAJUN ACCORDION DISCUSSION GROUP

 

General Forum
Start a New Topic 
Author
Comment
View Entire Thread
Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: It happens

Just as mitres take a lttle more effort

A frame bellows with pins takes a little more effort...

it is interesting that the majority of "high end" accordeon builders use pins ( and mitres)

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: It happens

"four points of attachment would be stronger, but would it be better" ?

Absolutley

2 long screws holding an end plate is IMNSHO clumsy and distorts the frame ion the center

with pins... no distortion

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: It happens

Let me know if I have any gross errers in my thinking here:

My understanding is a pinned accordion has rabbets cut into the inside of the face-frame such that it fits over the bellows-frame. This is so the pins can pass through the face-frame and into the bellows frame. This should make the whole construction stronger, though it would require more work in the building. The bellows-frame would require a corresponding rabbet to slip snuggly into the face-frame. Kind of a male/female design. The gasket designs could also change. You could even have double-gaskets. It would also change the "look" slightly.

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: It happens

John you seem to have a good grasp of the process of using bellows pins instead of 2 long screws and I have just one added comment. "More work, more cost."

As we can note, the so called high end instruments cost more than what we might call your standard one row accordion built by some builders in La. In calling their instruments standard I also mean traditional and in no way mean to degrade their work. But lets not be detered. If you want it someone can build it. One needs to put his money where his mouth is if he wants the best and as one famous guitar builder once said "not everyone can afford the best". I know the feeling. Ha Ha!!

As for myself, I am in the want business, not the need business.

Everyone have a Happy New Year

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: It happens

I am thinking of trying to build a box this year. I know I have the woodworking skills (and the necessary tools). The time to do it is the big thing.
Maybe I'll try rabbeting the frames and using pins, but keeping the two-piece face/bellows frame look.
The whole stop assembly seems to be the most complicated part...then there are the reed blocks...then waxing...then tuning...finishing...etc etc.

Yahoo gas a great group called "boxbuilder" where I can get templates etc. Hey, one step at a time, right?

Like you've said elsewhere, J. R., what's important is to HAVE FUN !

Choices

New Savoy or Martin $2200 no case no straps
butt joints and screws

New Castagnari $2200 With Case and straps

Mitre joints bellows pins

Pays yer money takes yer choice

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: It happens

Joh n I made a suggestion ( which I repeated here in another post) that the yahoo box builders group adopt a plan similar to a classical guitar building yahoo group

This group was led by a very fine maker/teacher of calssical guitar ... David Schramm form California

The idea was that everyone build at the same time to the same plans... ideas are shared, failings are shared, techniques are shared, sources are shared, materials are shared and in many cases some offered to do some fo the machine work not possible by others.. David would direct it all and keep everyone on thrack

The idea was to build over several months so as not to rush and allow a sopread of the the expenses

This would be possible withe the box builders group

I offered to assist with machine work and materials

I suspect there is a reason my suggestion and offer was not considered

Perhaps if someone else would suggest it.. it may be adopted

I think it is a reasonable plan


John perhaps you could suggest it to the Yahoo builders group since the principals have chosen not to respond


Outta here

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: It happens

Sounds like a cool idea, Jeff. Who would lead it? If an experienced builder led a project like that, I would love to participate.
-Andy

One can dream

I proposed this and got nowhere...
I suspect there was a reason..
Had it been someones else's idea it may have flown

My proposal was rather detailed..
I still think it is viable

Maybe you could have a go at making the proposal...

If you don't have a link to S(c)hramm's (sp) yahoo group I can post it

I really think this would be a great way to get a lot of folks into a quality,guided do it yourself project where all benefit from and contribute to
the effort

those who are not prepared to build right away could still participate in the discussion and be better prepared for the next go round

The start date was loosely fixed at Feb-March with a finish date of June-July

If a generous Pro builder wanted to contrubute and with a "pay off" of tuning for a fee at the end of the build... that would be a real boon

As I am not a pro builder .. my participation would be limited to an active and "contibuting" participant
via wood or parts making....

And if someone really wanted to get this project on the map ( ie good press) a supplier of parts. bellows and reeds could offer a group pricing ..
wonder if Greg or Frank would be interested

Time for me to back off my attempting to interject old corp skills and just see where this goes

I see great potential...

and I also see that it would take some desire on the part of some others...

As to who would lead ?

perhaps the owners/managers/moderators of the yahoo group

If I were to choose Pro participants I could not think of any one better than John Roger
Jude Moreau and or Greg Mouton

of course that would be asking a lot


David Schramm builds Classical guitars and Flamenco guitars for a living.. he is also a prfessional classical guitarist and teaches ( professor) classsical guitar

He not only found his project NOT to be a threat to his profession and career but a benefit..looks good on a resume

it takes a special person to do what he did...
hats off to him...
for his time, his generosity and his experience...

dream on

PS seesm the yahoo group as good as it is, could be more directed and actually have a measurable contribution......specific goal orientation..
completed boxes ......
not just the occasional... "I finished mine"

But we finished ours...

Re: One can dream

see if this link works


no current projects on the sight but you can look back and see what they have done in the past

Re: Re: One can dream

Jeff,
I still don't understand what reason there could be for this not to be taken up if people are interested. Email me off-list if you'd like.
I am still interested in organizing a building week here in VT, perhaps inviting Emanuel Pariselle to teach. It would be expensive, but everyone would leave with a very fine 2 1/2 row box.
-A.

Re: Re: One can dream

I would be interested in helping but would need to know just how it would work as I don't quiet unederstand the whole concept.



Jamey Hall's most excellent Cajun Accordion Music Theory

Brett's all new Cajun Accordion Music Theory for all keys!

LFR1.gif - 1092 Bytes The April 2011 Dewey Balfa Cajun & Creole Heritage Week

augusta.gif - 6841 Bytes

Listen to Some GREAT Music While You Surf the Net!!
The BEST Radio Station on the Planet!