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Handmade Cajun Accordion, Pt. 5: Reeds, Hardware, Stops and Finish The home stretch in the creation of a Cajun accordion includes applying finish, attaching reeds and adding decorative hardware. From "Handmade Music" episode DHMM-311

(Continued from page 1)

Figure G

Attaching Hardware and Reeds

Marcs accordions are generally hauled around quite a bit, so protective hardware is attached in strategic spots for protection. When that's step if finished the beating heart of the accordion gets pumped up when the reeds are added to the reed mounts.

• With an old-fashioned punch press Marc Savoy stamps out brass hardware that serves as the accordion's protectors (figure G).
  

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• Each piece of hardware is bent around a corner of the accordion and hammered in place with brass finish brads (figures H and I).

  Figure H

  Figure I

  
  

  Figure J

• Marc's assistant Tina Pilione attaches a specific reed to its matching mount on both the treble side and the bass side (figure J).

• Each one is held in place when a screw is wedged between the reeds (figures K and L).
  

  Figure K

  Figure L

  
  

  	Figure M
  	Figure N

Air-passage is a key to an accordion's mechanics. Marc Savoy wants air to pass in some places but not others. In this segment he regulates the passage of air.

• Air must pass through the reeds, not around them. Even though Tina Pilione expertly secured the reeds air can pass around them in the tiniest cracks, Marc pours bee's wax around the mounts (figures M and N).

• Once dry, the air moving in and out of the accordion will only pass through the reeds.

• Getting air to the reeds is the job of the "stops". By pushing the stops open or closed the air is regulated to either pass through the reeds to make sound or stop before making it to the reeds.

• Marc screws the stop knobs into the sliders he previously constructed and inserted into the faceplate panels.
  

  A jam session at the Savoy Mucic Center in Eunice, Louisiana

Now Marc is on the final leg of this accordion's journey to completion. In the next and final phase of this project, Marc will put all the pieces together, tune it up, and debut his creation at an authentic Cajun jam session.

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RESOURCES :

Savoy Music Center
Highway 190 E
Eunice, LA 70535
www.savoymusiccenter.com

KBON, FM 101.1
Eunice, LA 70535
www.kbon.com

GUESTS :

Marc Savoy, proprietor
Savoy Music Center
Highway 190 E
Eunice, LA 70535
www.savoymusiccenter.com