Hohner Gola 414

[a***@yahoo.ca]

I have a Hohner Gola 414 for sale in absolutely new condition.I am
getting various different opinions about its value ranging from $3,000
to $10,000 US dollars. It is about 25 years old. Can anyone give me an
approximate value?

I just noticed the date on this conversation is from 1998. But...if anyone is reading this now in 2015, does anyone have a source to obtain Hohner Gola reeds? I love this accordion but every time I have an issue with a reed I'm afraid I won't be able to fix it because I don't have the reeds to replace it.
David
www.acclarion.ca

[ciao_accordion]

hey david,

the only REAL source in the USA for a reed-repair on
a Gola is going to be Helmi Harrington, at the World of
Accordions museum and foundation, as she has many Gola's
in the collection, and probably some for parts

the true original Gola reed is quite special, nearly
unique in the accoridon world, and the technology
to make them is lost.

the reed uses a special Stainless Steel, yet is not brittle,
an amazing achievement, THEN Gola also crafted a treatment
method to "equalize" the volume of the different reed-blocks
and reed sizes... another totally lost art...

you shouldn't be having issues with Gola reeds, BTW,
so here's hoping you didn't buy one on ebay that
had the reeds switched out (it's happened a LOT)

there are no issues or problems when spot-tuning
his reeds, just remember tune the accordion to
ITSELF (as it was from the original Provino of Gola)
and not to a rigid, digitally perfect tuning

ciao

Ventura

yes i still have mine

Post by a***@yahoo.ca
I just noticed the date on this conversation is from 1998. But...if anyone is reading this now in 2015, does anyone have a source to obtain Hohner Gola reeds? I love this accordion but every time I have an issue with a reed I'm afraid I won't be able to fix it because I don't have the reeds to replace it.
David
www.acclarion.ca

[ike milligan]

Post by ciao_accordion
hey david,
the only REAL source in the USA for a reed-repair on
a Gola is going to be Helmi Harrington, at the World of
Accordions museum and foundation, as she has many Gola's
in the collection, and probably some for parts
the true original Gola reed is quite special, nearly
unique in the accoridon world, and the technology
to make them is lost.
the reed uses a special Stainless Steel, yet is not brittle,
an amazing achievement, THEN Gola also crafted a treatment
method to "equalize" the volume of the different reed-blocks
and reed sizes... another totally lost art...
you shouldn't be having issues with Gola reeds, BTW,
so here's hoping you didn't buy one on ebay that
had the reeds switched out (it's happened a LOT)
there are no issues or problems when spot-tuning
his reeds, just remember tune the accordion to
ITSELF (as it was from the original Provino of Gola)
and not to a rigid, digitally perfect tuning
ciao
Ventura
yes i still have mine

Post by a***@yahoo.ca
I just noticed the date on this conversation is from 1998. But...if
anyo

ne is reading this now in 2015, does anyone have a source to obtain
Hohner Gola reeds? I love this accordion but every time I have an
issue with a reed I'm afraid I won't be able to fix it because I don't
have the reeds to replace it.

Post by a***@yahoo.ca
David
www.acclarion.ca

Gola reeds should not be filed. Only sandpaper should be used, glued
onto a stick. Before tuning a reeds, ascertain why the reed is out of
tune. A lot of times it needs only to be very carefully cleaned and have
the right reed valve put on it, not too stiff. Also it can happen that
the reed-block gets slid a couple millimeters lengthwises even with
gola, and if that happens, the tuning changes. the holes in the block
have to be exactly over the holes in the fondo. Key valves not letting
enough air in will make the reed go flat in pitch. Loose reed or bad
reed valve can also change the pitch. A lot more could be said about
tuning, and the Gola should only be tuned by a very high quality
technician.

[ciao_accordion]

Post by ike milligan
the holes in the block
have to be exactly over the holes in the fondo.

cool - so that's what the big plate thing is called
also, looks like you survived another Winter too, Ike,
good to hear from ya'

i'll try'n get up there and say Hi sometime this Spring

jane Fondo - maybe i'll remember it if i make that association

[t***@gmail.com]

I have to fix a key on my Gola 414. I have no problems doing that, but I can't figure out how to get the spindle out that holds the keys in place. I've removed the end caps and can see the rod on both ends - do I tap it out, gently or is there some other way to do it? Thanks for any and all advice.

[DoN. Nichols]

Post by t***@gmail.com
I have to fix a key on my Gola 414. I have no problems doing that, but
I can't figure out how to get the spindle out that holds the keys in
place. I've removed the end caps and can see the rod on both ends - do I
tap it out, gently or is there some other way to do it? Thanks for any
and all advice.

No experience with the brand or model in question, but I would
first have to ask -- is there clearance to the sides so the rod can
slide the bearing shaft straight out? If so, yes, just push it gently
-- perhaps a light tap to start it.

You might want to make another shaft of the same diameter, or
perhaps a little smaller to follow it, so all the other keys are held in
place, and you can pull the original shaft just far enough ahead of the
pusher to let the key be removed without a pile of other keys
accumulating. (And if there is a bevel on the ends of the shaft, it
might make it easier to slide through the keys, getting them centered.

Good Luck,
DoN.

[ciao_accordion]

Post by t***@gmail.com
is there some other way to do it?

YES - in this case, let a Professional do it

if you screw it up your $10,000 accordion will be worthless junk

period

pulling the action on a Gola is not a job for a beginner...
there are a LOT of things you can ruin, seriously, and you'll
never get it all fixed right again if you do

this is something you need to LEARN to do on a few crappy accordions first,
working your way up to the point you can do it FOR CERTAIN on a good one

the other point is, if ONE key needs repair and it's the pad in the
Tone Chamber (otherwise you wouldn't need to pull the action) then
you might as well re-pad the whole treble and be done with it... or
you'll be back doing it again and again on other keys who's pads
would have the same age and fatigue factors

there was also a period when Hohner tried the modern glue that was
briefly popular around the Accordion world, (until everyone realised
it breaks down and migrates through the pads to the surface) and if
this is the root cause of your current problem, again a complete
re-pad job is in order (as well as a serious re-furbishing of the plates)

ciao

Ventura

[ike milligan]

Post by t***@gmail.com
I have to fix a key on my Gola 414. I have no problems doing that, but
I can't figure out how to get the spindle out that holds the keys in
place. I've removed the end caps and can see the rod on both ends - do
I tap it out, gently or is there some other way to do it? Thanks for
any and all advice.

It might or might not come out. If you break it, your keyboard is ruined.
Key spindles can get a bit corroded and not come out at all. then you have
to figure out another way. What does it mean you have to fix a key?