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Handmade Cajun Accordion, Pt. 1: Reed-Mounts Deep in the Louisiana prairie, accordion maker Marc Savoy begins the journey in the construction of a Cajun accordion. From "Handmade Music" episode DHMM-308

(Continued from page 2)

Most of the work in this first phase of the building of the accordion focuses on the treble side of the accordion (figures H and I), the side that utilizes a system of reeds to produce the instrument's higher notes. A similar process will take place later to produce the elements for the bass side--or base box--of the instrument.

Figure H

Figure I

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	Figure J
	Figure K

Cajun Accordion: Completion of Reed Mount Assemblies

Once the glue has dried, Marc resumes production of his reed-mount assembly.

• The 3"x3" squares have been inserted into the dado slots of the maple blank, but Marc will need the assembly to "ramp" from back height of about three inches to a front height of two inches.

• He fashions the graded ramp using a table saw (figure J ) to create the tapered ladder-like structure of the assembly section (figure K).
  

• He refines his work on this piece using a belt sander (figure L), followed up by some sanding by hand.

• He tops his assembly with maple and clamps the piece for drying (figure M).

Figure L

Figure M

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