Accordions are organic by nature. They consist of wax, felt, leather, paper, and
cardboard, along with steel, tin, aluminum, and wood - and all of the above are
sensitive to environmental conditions. Unfortunately it's also the nature of the beast
that accordions are quite portable. Because of this, even the most pampered
accordion is going to be exposed at one time or another to environmental extremes.
Extreme heat is the most obvious enemy of the accordion. A few hours in a locked
car on a hot day can practically destroy an accordion. The wax which holds the
reeds in place can melt, keys can warp, glues can dissolve or become brittle and
useless - in short, the instrument can be rendered unplayable, and the cost of
correcting these problems can exceed the instruments value.
The prospects for an accordion exposed to moisture are equally dire. Reeds can (and do) rust, leather valves can curl, wooden
components can warp or swell, and for those with allergies (or even just a sense of smell) the resulting mildew can be almost
impossible to eliminate.
As bleak as this sounds, almost any accordion can be restored to virtually like-new condition. The question that must be
answered is "does it make economic sense to do so?"
Fortunately most people don't find themselves faced with such an extreme situation. An accordion that's been handled and
stored properly will still need attention, but usually the problems that emerge are of a wear-and-tear nature. The keyboard may
need adjustment and stiff, worn out felt might need replacement. Tuning is often required - though my rule of thumb has always
been that the accordion really only needs to be tuned if YOU think it needs to be tuned (or your spouse insists it be tuned).
The bass mechanism is particularly sensitive to the usual bumps and knocks accordions can encounter, and may need
adjustment.
General Servicing
A catch-all for accordions which have never been professionally serviced before. Includes cleaning and light polishing, tuning up to six of the most offensive notes, replacement of up to six inside or outside leathers, minor leak repairs, spray lubrication for the bass mechanism, tightening of screws, minor dents removed, etc. (A more complete description of the entire procedure is available upon request.)
Full Size Accordions $250
12 Bass Accordions 150
Diatonic Accordions 150
Tuning
Full Size Accordion (5/5 Reed Sets - Dry) $550
Full Size Accordion (4/5 Reed Sets - Dry) 470
Full Size Accordion (3/5 Reed Sets - Dry) 375
12 Bass Accordion 99
Note: These are typical examples. Wet tuned and/or chambered accordions will be priced accordingly, and all accordions must be evaluated before a final price can be set.
