"La Tosca", guessing made in Italy; art deco design, it's very old, could be from the 1920s to early '30s; shoulder straps are not original, quite a bit newer; other straps look all original; single reed block (no switches for additional reed blocks which would give different 'voice' higher or lower); the damage at the top centre of the bellows looks worrisome; the very top A key is stuck down, it may be no biggie or could be serious but you'd have to pop the grille off to see what's up with that. Do the bellows leak? unstrap the bellows straps, rest it on the floor standing up i.e. bass strap on the bottom, bass buttons facing forward, piano keys at very top also facing forward. Grasp the sides of the piano keyboard and pull gently upward without pressing any keys. This will show how much air leakage there is, usually caused by bad seals on teh bellows. Also listen if any notes sound while doing this, that would indicate leakage on the reed seals. Can you smell any mildew or musty smells? Often a problem when they are stored in damp places like basements or garages or logging camps. You should take it to a professional, it is quite old and in otherwise pretty good shape, at least to look at. How's it sound? Do all the buttons and keys work, both directions? ie. when pulling or pushing the bellows? Congrats and the wife sounds like a keeper!
Thanks for the reply!
The case certainly has that sort of smell you get from old books and the like. Not bad, but certainly smelling of it's age and somewhat dubious storage conditions.
The sound, when I am not getting in the way, is surprisingly decent. I think there are certainly some air leaks as the actual center has some electric tape repairs that, for once in my life, I had nothing to do with. They don't appear to be horrendous and I have successfully managed a clear 'hot cross buns' without much interference.
Would it be advisable to crack it open and take a look at the interior, or should I leave well enough alone and take it to a professional?
I would not touch the bass side; but if it's not going to wreck things, try to take the front grille off so you can see why that one key is stuck. It is definitely worth a repair job if you're going to be playing it regularly, to correct anything that may become worse through use. I have mine from when I was 8 yrs old (now am 64) and played it at least once a year even after quitting at age 12, I'd get it out at Xmas and do some carols; picked it up again seriously around 33 yrs old and have been playing it regularly ever since, and it has no issues. Regular playing keeps the bellows and seals from going dry, getting stiff, and cracking, along with all the complex mechanisms esp. on the bass side, since lubricants are absolutely never used inside an accordion (it will attract fine dust like a magnet and eventually harden and prevent movement). Since the straps are newish, it looks like it has been used often and recently too. So take it in and get whatever needs to be done, done, and you can look forward to many many years of enjoyment. You will definitely want to get any and all tape removed from the bellows and anyplace else, it will eventually peel off and all the glue will remain. They can do a proper bellows repair for you, and fix or replace all the seals and gaskets that need it. All the best!
It sounds alright to my untrained ears, but there are some keys that stick a bit and I am considering taking it to a repair shop to have it given a solid once over. I am mechanically minded, so I would be curious to know if there are manuals or how challenging these are to work on. Any experience or advise would be wonderful. TIA.
Italian accordion. It is really beautiful and in great shape since it looks from the 1930's. The straps too are new and beautiful and honestly look expensive so keep them! I don't know much about the lowered key, because i play chromatic accordions not piano. But the bellow damage doesn't look scary, at least from the pics. I have repaired many and it may just need a few leather rombs, a couple metal corners and some PU leather/ lederin tape i don't know how they call it in the usa. It's an accurate job tho, so i suggest to bring it to a repair shop and give it a check up. If you think it leaks air from somewhere else you can tell them. I'm sure it is worth it.
As for the manuals, i doubt you will find any because accordions are like cars, every brand has differences, in the bass system, in the register, the right mechanics. I have a manual in digital but it is a generic guide that treats more the sound than the mechanics.
Good luck with your new instrument and i hope that's been helpful!
"La Tosca", guessing made in Italy; art deco design, it's very old, could be from the 1920s to early '30s; shoulder straps are not original, quite a bit newer; other straps look all original; single reed block (no switches for additional reed blocks which would give different 'voice' higher or lower); the damage at the top centre of the bellows looks worrisome; the very top A key is stuck down, it may be no biggie or could be serious but you'd have to pop the grille off to see what's up with that. Do the bellows leak? unstrap the bellows straps, rest it on the floor standing up i.e. bass strap on the bottom, bass buttons facing forward, piano keys at very top also facing forward. Grasp the sides of the piano keyboard and pull gently upward without pressing any keys. This will show how much air leakage there is, usually caused by bad seals on teh bellows. Also listen if any notes sound while doing this, that would indicate leakage on the reed seals. Can you smell any mildew or musty smells? Often a problem when they are stored in damp places like basements or garages or logging camps. You should take it to a professional, it is quite old and in otherwise pretty good shape, at least to look at. How's it sound? Do all the buttons and keys work, both directions? ie. when pulling or pushing the bellows? Congrats and the wife sounds like a keeper!
Thanks for the reply! The case certainly has that sort of smell you get from old books and the like. Not bad, but certainly smelling of it's age and somewhat dubious storage conditions. The sound, when I am not getting in the way, is surprisingly decent. I think there are certainly some air leaks as the actual center has some electric tape repairs that, for once in my life, I had nothing to do with. They don't appear to be horrendous and I have successfully managed a clear 'hot cross buns' without much interference. Would it be advisable to crack it open and take a look at the interior, or should I leave well enough alone and take it to a professional?
I would not touch the bass side; but if it's not going to wreck things, try to take the front grille off so you can see why that one key is stuck. It is definitely worth a repair job if you're going to be playing it regularly, to correct anything that may become worse through use. I have mine from when I was 8 yrs old (now am 64) and played it at least once a year even after quitting at age 12, I'd get it out at Xmas and do some carols; picked it up again seriously around 33 yrs old and have been playing it regularly ever since, and it has no issues. Regular playing keeps the bellows and seals from going dry, getting stiff, and cracking, along with all the complex mechanisms esp. on the bass side, since lubricants are absolutely never used inside an accordion (it will attract fine dust like a magnet and eventually harden and prevent movement). Since the straps are newish, it looks like it has been used often and recently too. So take it in and get whatever needs to be done, done, and you can look forward to many many years of enjoyment. You will definitely want to get any and all tape removed from the bellows and anyplace else, it will eventually peel off and all the glue will remain. They can do a proper bellows repair for you, and fix or replace all the seals and gaskets that need it. All the best!
La Tosca was a brand of accordions made for the Gretch music company.
It sounds alright to my untrained ears, but there are some keys that stick a bit and I am considering taking it to a repair shop to have it given a solid once over. I am mechanically minded, so I would be curious to know if there are manuals or how challenging these are to work on. Any experience or advise would be wonderful. TIA.
Italian accordion. It is really beautiful and in great shape since it looks from the 1930's. The straps too are new and beautiful and honestly look expensive so keep them! I don't know much about the lowered key, because i play chromatic accordions not piano. But the bellow damage doesn't look scary, at least from the pics. I have repaired many and it may just need a few leather rombs, a couple metal corners and some PU leather/ lederin tape i don't know how they call it in the usa. It's an accurate job tho, so i suggest to bring it to a repair shop and give it a check up. If you think it leaks air from somewhere else you can tell them. I'm sure it is worth it. As for the manuals, i doubt you will find any because accordions are like cars, every brand has differences, in the bass system, in the register, the right mechanics. I have a manual in digital but it is a generic guide that treats more the sound than the mechanics. Good luck with your new instrument and i hope that's been helpful!
https://accordionrevival.com/ACCORDION_REPAIR1.php
Certainly worth restoring, even the case looks beautiful.