Czech reeds vs Italian reeds

[Furkan Temur]

Hi everybody ,

I am wondering about these two concepts differences, as you know there is a factory in Czech republic (Harmonikas) they are producing reeds by machine , currently also they started to producing by hand. According these issues,I know that it is not sensible to compare between "a mano" and "machine" reeds, could you please compare these reed regard as their producing technique ?

Thanks.

[Ike Milligan]

Post by Furkan Temur
Hi everybody ,
I am wondering about these two concepts differences, as you know there is a factory in Czech republic (Harmonikas) they are producing reeds by machine , currently also they started to producing by hand. According these issues,I know that it is not sensible to compare between "a mano" and "machine" reeds, could you please compare these reed regard as their producing technique ?
Thanks.

New reeds are mostly junk. When they claim to have them made by hand,
the quality depends on the materials available, and the skill of the
reed maker. no way to judge without playing the accordions with the
reeds in them.

I am not familiar with new instruments anyway. The few I have seen are
not to be taken seriously.

With thousands upon thousands of vintage accordions with irreplaceable
reeds in them, why bother with new? just because no one has the
developed the skill, or else has the time to fix old accordions up, I
suppose.

[Furkan Temur]

Thanks for your replies Dear Ike, I am looking for the reeds to play traditional music, so I need loud and characteristic sound. Binci would be good choice for this purpose, but as you said, I prefer old and brass reeds if I find them. Because of this impossibility I have to buy the new one.

[Len Killick]

Post by Furkan Temur
Hi everybody ,
I am wondering about these two concepts differences, as you know there is a factory in Czech republic (Harmonikas) they are producing reeds by machine , currently also they started to producing by hand. According these issues,I know that it is not sensible to compare between "a mano" and "machine" reeds, could you please compare these reed regard as their producing technique ?
Thanks.

My experience with Harmonikas reeds has been very good. From many years ago they had a not-so-good reputation but for a long time now they have been producing good reeds in 4 categories which they call class I, II, III, IV and equate to a-mano, tipo-a-mano, export durale and mechanika. They also make Bayan, Helikon Bass, Bandonion and Harmonium reeds. Prices are also still quite good. They are also very open about the materials they use and the tolerances in the finished product.

[Ike Milligan]

Post by Len Killick

Post by Furkan Temur
Hi everybody ,
I am wondering about these two concepts differences, as you know there is a factory in Czech republic (Harmonikas) they are producing reeds by machine , currently also they started to producing by hand. According these issues,I know that it is not sensible to compare between "a mano" and "machine" reeds, could you please compare these reed regard as their producing technique ?
Thanks.

My experience with Harmonikas reeds has been very good. From many years ago they had a not-so-good reputation but for a long time now they have been producing good reeds in 4 categories which they call class I, II, III, IV and equate to a-mano, tipo-a-mano, export durale and mechanika. They also make Bayan, Helikon Bass, Bandonion and Harmonium reeds. Prices are also still quite good. They are also very open about the materials they use and the tolerances in the finished product.

I have many accordions from the 1930's and 1920's with relatively clean
reeds.
All from the 1920's are a mano, and from the 30's are either tipo or a
mano.
What range do you need, like for example 41-key or 33 key and matching
bass reeds are with them from old accordions?
i sometimes fix these up and play them but I have many not restored yet
and more than I can do in my lifetime, and a number of them are
mechanically not restorable, but have good reeds.
Or whole restorable accordions also.
I prefer the old reeds since the old music is composed for these
accordions and newer accordions are not always suitable for the old folk
music.
After tuning it "Well-Tempered" the music sounds better, and cliassical
music is best on that rather than Equal Tempered.
now recovering form a bout of physical and emotional malaise after the
death of my wife of 23 years after her long illness and demise 2 years
ago, but continuing to play on the streets and steeling myself to resume
restoring old irreplaceable accordions.
Have dozens available if someone wants to choose one to restore.
Sets of reeds need to be specified as to pitch range and sizes.

[Furkan Temur]

Thank you very much for reply Ike,

I am sorry, god rest her soul and more power to your rest of life...

We are using different sytem for reeds. We need loud and characteristic sound in our instrument, we do not use registers and casotto,therefore we are puting inside 6 row dry tuned reeds to right side, especially I prefer brass reeds. Left side is same as accordion 5 row basses. If you have some rows from old time it would be good for me. Especially if you have some reeds in brass.

In the 6 rows reeds alignment 1 basoon 3 klarinet 2 piccolo. Keyboard is starting from B ends with B. There are 38 keys. Basson starts B3 , Klarinet B5 , Piccolo B6 octave.

Could you please share with me in privet some photos of the reeds photo or if you have an example video ?

Thanks.

[Ike Milligan]

Post by Furkan Temur
Thank you very much for reply Ike,
I am sorry, god rest her soul and more power to your rest of life...
We are using different sytem for reeds. We need loud and characteristic sound in our instrument, we do not use registers and casotto,therefore we are puting inside 6 row dry tuned reeds to right side, especially I prefer brass reeds. Left side is same as accordion 5 row basses. If you have some rows from old time it would be good for me. Especially if you have some reeds in brass.
In the 6 rows reeds alignment 1 basoon 3 klarinet 2 piccolo. Keyboard is starting from B ends with B. There are 38 keys. Basson starts B3 , Klarinet B5 , Piccolo B6 octave.
Could you please share with me in privet some photos of the reeds photo or if you have an example video ?
Thanks.

All have either Aluminum or zinc plates, and from old mostly 41 key 120
bass accordions. No brass reed plates. those are very hard to find. Also
not enough in number to give you a matched set for what you are building.
A few Chromatic accordions but not enough sets for what you are describing.

[ciao_accordion]

Post by Ike Milligan
now recovering form a bout of physical and emotional malaise after the
death of my wife of 23 years after her long illness and demise

she was always nice to me.. i liked her..
it was a very long illness, but you kept
your Russian Princess going and kept things together !
sorry for your loss Ike

ciao

Ventura

[Ike Milligan]

Post by ciao_accordion

Post by Ike Milligan
now recovering form a bout of physical and emotional malaise after the
death of my wife of 23 years after her long illness and demise

she was always nice to me.. i liked her..
it was a very long illness, but you kept
your Russian Princess going and kept things together !
sorry for your loss Ike
ciao
Ventura

Re-adjusting is difficult. However, as they say. "Life goes on." i hope
you are doing well, Phil.