Buyer BEWARE!

[Shelia Lee]

Don't think that because the "replacement" price is WAY higher than 50 years ago that the used accordion will retain its value or actually "appreciate" in value.

 

An accordion can pass the test I set forward in the last blog and still cause major problems.

 

AND there is no such thing as an ANTIQUE ACCORDION. Yes you heard me right. Accordions have only been around for maybe 100 to 120 years. An accordion from the 20s or 30s is commonly called an Antique - that is because it LOOKS antique.

 

If you pulled a 1930 car from a junk yard - you can SAY it is antique - but it has -0- value until it will START and DRIVE down the road (and pass inspection!). AND YES - after you have put thousands of dollars into "restoring" it - you can sell it HOPEFULLY for a profit.

 

The same is true of an accordion. If the accordion has been played regularly - as in at least 30 minutes once a week - then it will retain more value than one that is half it's age that has been tucked into a closet for the past few years.

 

If you start a car after it has sat for 2 years - it might sound pretty good the first few minutes - then the stagnant oil will start clogging the values, rotted hoses will start to break and rusted muffler will fall off.

 

Accordions are the same. Reeds are set in using bee's wax. This wax is kept supple by the regular playing of the instrument. The vibrating reeds "Massage" the wax - keeping it soft. If the accordion has sat - the reeds will play - but after a few weeks - the reeds are vibrating against hardened wax and eventually the reeds will pop out!

 

The same is true of the leathers on the reeds. They will become non-supple with non-playing and will start to fall off the reed and clog up the reeds. AND the bellows are covered with PAPER and the joints are calf skin. These too will get brittle with non use and break when the accordion is now being played regularly.

 

So with that said - if you have an accordion that has SAT for months - pull the bellow pins and:

1. Check to see if your fingerprint will leave an impression in the wax (GOOD)

2. don't touch the reeds or leather strips on the reed - put see if the leathers supple - not cracked (GOOD) AND resting against the reed - not curled back.

3. Look for dust and fuzz inside (BAD)

 

Now remove the plate under the bass strap.

1. are the bass valves well lubricated and no FUZZ (GOOD)

2. Does the air button work properly (GOOD)

 

Re-waxing is done by a professional and is much less expensive than replacing damaged reeds after they fall out (and the damage the loose reeds do to the other reeds).

 

Re lubricating the left hand machine is done by a professional and much less expensive that replacing bend and jammed bass rod arms when the lubricant sticks.

 

So - like that 30's car - consider it an investment in "restoring" a beautiful machine back to it's glory days - Please get a quote from a professional for repair. Even if you intent to sell the accordion - and only make your repair fees back - you will feel good that you sold a quality performing accordion to a deserving musician.