Refurbishing a Castagnari Sander. Ep. 1 - Reed Cleaning/Waxing

This is Episode 1 of a short series covering my restoration of a late 80's Castagnari Sander 3 Voice melodion in D/G. I purchased as an 'excellent fix you up opportunity' and these videos will cover the repairs and the upgrades to fit two bass end stops.

[@kathharper]

Ooh - I like the way you wax in the reeds, which wouldn't work for me due to condo (a tech I consulted showed me this technique and in fact called it the Lester Bailey method so you're a celebrity among accordion techs) and it was a bit too aromatic to do in my condo kitchen :-) But it's ingenious and answers the question about how to do the sides between reed blocks very effectively.

[@matthewbucktrout3291]

Hi Lester, thank you for posting your work, that's very inspiring. I wanted to ask a bit more about the use of the ultrasonic cleaner (I'm tempted to have a go on an accordeon I'm about to take to pieces) - do you rinse the reed blocks after cleaning them in the machine with the chosen cleaning solution, to get it off? Or does it help to prevent rusting? And then, do you put anything on the reeds when they're dry to prevent rusting in the future? Any wiping with thin oil of any sort? If you were to wipe them with oil, what sort would you use and why that choice? I'm guessing if it was too viscous it might not dry properly and woudl attract dust to stick to the reeds and you'd be back at square one with dirty flat-toned reeds? But, in general, what can be done to try and prevent future rusting, especially when the ultrasonic cleaning solution perhaps does a very good job of removing any rust protection their might still have been on the reeds? It woudl be great to hear your thoughts, thank you in advance. Matthew, France.

[@MelodeonTunes]

When the reeds come out of the cleaner I dry them as best I can with a microfibre cloth the arrange them over my shed heater to fully dry them. I would recommend not putting any thing on the reeds to prevent rusting as it may well attract dust and adhere it to the reeds spoiling the tuning, certainly not oil and especially not the likes of WD40. The best way to prevent rusting is correct dry/warm storage of your accordion and, if you have had to play it in a damp/rainy environment, to get the box out of it's case, open the bellows and place nearby a radiator to ensure everything dries out.

[@richardhukins1703]

Great film Lester, ultrasonic is interesting, they look mega clean, but I suppose you need to be certain that they are really, really dry. Thank you.

[@pablobarrientos9471]

Muy bueno!! Saludos desde Buenos Aires!

[@Adam-wl8wn]

Great to see more fettling knowledge being documented.

[@alanchard47]

Thanks for the benefit of so many years experience

[@da-mane]

Thanks for your Video! Do you think it's possible to change the tuning of the reeds +3 halfnotes up, by sanding the tip? I want to change the tuning of my diatonic accordion.
Greetings from Bavaria!

[@MelodeonTunes]

I'm afraid 3 half tones would be too far to go by filing the tips. You would almost certainly ruin the higher pitched reeds as you would need to remove to much metal

[@da-mane]

@@MelodeonTunes Thanks for your answer!

[@jesteruku]

Very interesting Lester.Daz😎

[@nestorgiraldo9066]

Realmente estoy aprendiendo del mejor. Gracias y un saludo.

[@melodeon3]

Thanks very much for doing this video

[@Dj_Wodzirej_KrzysztofD]

Hello, can you be so nice and write me a model of the equipment you use to bathe voices and what exactly are the lotions you use? Yours sincerely Krzysztof.

[@MelodeonTunes]

www.allendale-ultrasonics.co.uk/sensitive-metals-ultrasonic-cleaner-solution-ideal-for-copper-aluminium-1-litre-cleaning-fluid
www.amazon.co.uk/Ultrasonic-Cleaner-Portable-Jewellery-Dentures/dp/B07C1ZCHZM

[@ronaldolazari9951]

Muito bom 👏👏👏