Yesterday, while my daily music session with the husband on guitar, there was a sudden click on the bass side, and then, no more tension.

We opened the box, hoping that the spring had just fallen, but it is broken. It's kind of surprising, I have had this accordion since January only.

I know someone who can replace it, but he's in another town and it may take a while before I can see him. I'm thinking of taking a spring from my Bon Cajun and to put it in my Mouton, in the meantime. (I really love my Mouton!)

Any advice/warning?

Nicole

Hi Nicole,

Here is a link to a Montreal supplier:
http://accordiondepot.com/

Many of the builders up there use him as a source, so you can't go wrong.
-Andy

You can make one by going to Walmart or a craft store and getting those big safety pins, make sure it the stainless steel, not nickel plated. Cut the head off, cut the point to match, bend the 2 ends to a short L, and presto, a base spring. That's what many builders use anyway.

You also want to spead it out a little till it has the tension you want.

Nicole, the same thing happened to me a couple of months ago on my Swallow. A safety pin will be perfect. Just take the broken spring and buy the same size safety pin, cut it at the right lenght. Vive les épingles à couche!

Nicole:
I'm fairly certain that the springs Greg uses on his Mouton accordions are a different length than Larry uses on his Bon accordions.

Perhaps others on the board that also have a Mouton can attest to this as well.

John

If you just ask Larry, or Jr. Martin, they will be happy to send you a replacement spring for a nominal fee. It should arrive quickly because it is flat and can go in an ordinary letter envelope.

The springs I got from Jr. were not cut, so I could cut them to the exact size needed.

BTW, Jr. does not use safety pins. The last I heard, he bends and tempers his own springs.

Regards,
DP

Thanks all

The safety pin is a cool alternative and I'll look through my sewing stuff if I have any of the right size.
Yet I'll also email Greg Mouton, if he wants to send a couple they could come in handy.

If you know of a piano repairman or store that does piano repairs go there with your old spring and ask for a piece of piano wire of the same gauge. I used piano wire purchased from Schaff piano supply for making my bass springs.

I'm sure Greg will send you one ASAP. You should probably get one from him so it matches the tension of the other. They're pretty easy to put back in. Just gotta fit the ends in the tiny holes

Jim