Clover Anglo Kit (Part 8) - Fine tuning the reeds

January 13, 14

I fine-tuned the reeds yesterday and today. It's a little difficult but very interesting.

First, I checked every reed's pitch using my tuner. Many reeds are too high.

Then, I began scratching 38 reeds whose pitch were too high or low. It took about 8 hours for me to scratch them all!

Left Hand Silde

  

Right Hand Silde

I've finished fine-tuning much earlier than I thought. I enjoyed it very much!

Anglo concertina: Clover Anglo Kit

I bought a C/G Clover anglo concertina kit from Wim Wakker in August, 2012. I finished building it in December, 2012, except for fine tuning.

It cost 1450 dollars including a gig bag and the shipping cost.

Layout : Wheatstone layout. 
Reeds : Italian accordion reeds
Bellows : 6 fold bellows
Ends : Flat Wood ends
Keys : 30 metal keys

It's responsive, but not so responsive as Edgley concertinas. As you know, Edgley concertinas are much more expensive than Clover kits.

( February 1, 2014 )

I had received an email from Wim Wakker. He wrote "When key travel is adjusted to 3mm and the reeds set correctly, you'll find that the Clover is much more responsive."

So, I adjusted key travel from 4-5mm to 3mm as he writes in "Manual for the Clover anglo kit".

Thanks to Wim's advice, my Clover is much more responsive! I think it's nearly as responsive as Edgley now.

Gig bag

From L to R : Rochelle, Wakker Concertina, Clover Kit

I quickly recorded a set of two reels on my Clover concertina.

And I asked my wife to play a tune on it.

P.S.

I sold this concertina in 2016.

Clover Anglo Kit (Part 7)

November 28

I received five levers from Concertina Connection (Wim Wakker) for free. Thank you!

I installed the last lever on the action board.

December 1

I installed the accordion reeds on the reed pans.

I assembled the bellows and the ends. When the concertina made sound, I was really relieved.

Because two notes (Pull "D" and "B" in the middle row of the left-hand side ) choked when played loudly, I carefully bended the reeds up.

I finished building my Clover Anglo Kit except for fine tuning. Though it took much time, I've enjoyed it very much and learned many things about concertinas.

Clover Anglo Kit (Part 6)

Yesterday, I mounted the bellows on the bellows frames.

November 23

I let the bellows dry under a weight (many music books).

Finished!

Clover Anglo Kit (Part 5)

November 17

Today, I accidentally broke a lever while I was bending it...

I'm asking Concertina Connection (Wim Wakker) to send me
a few levers now...

Clover Anglo Kit (Part 4)

October 14

I riveted 31 levers. It took lots of time for me to rivet them all!

November 3

I installed the red bushing felt in the holes of the buttons. I enjoyed it!

Clover Anglo Kit (Part 3)

September 9

I rounded off the corners of the bellows frames, using a sanding block.

September 30

I cut the chamois leather with an exacto knife.

 

...and installed the chamois leather on the back of the reed pans.

...and installed the reed pans under the action boards

I installed the hand rails on the face plates.

Clover Anglo Kit (Part 2)

I've stained the ends with a water based paint.

September 9

Don't stain the bellows frames, please...

I stained the hand rails the same color (dark brown) .

I've enjoyed it very much!

Clover Anglo Kit (Part 1)

I started building my Clover Anglo Kit. I hope I can learn how to build concertinas and repair my antique concertinas much better.

August 19

August 25

Now, I'm sanding the ends, using a sanding block.

I guess it will take more than a year for me to finish building this kit.

I enjoy building it!