Restoration of an Lachenal Edeophone

The condition of this instrument was, as most edeophones, rather bad. The instrument has been completely restored. Restoration included:

• repair and refinishing of the ends. Besides the 'holes' caused by the thumbnail, several parts needed new amboyna veneer. The finish is French Polish.
• replacement of the Lachenal action. The action is the weakest part of a Lachenal concertina. The best way to 'solve' this problem is to replace it.
• replacement of bushings and springs etc.. a standard restoration consist of :
  Action: new springs, key hole bushing, key-lever bushing, key end circles, pads/sampers, cleaning and polishing of the keys, regulation of the action. Key travel 3.2 mm, key pressure +-55 grams. 
• reeds: new valves, voicing and tuning.  The instrument is tuned to A=440Hz. We skive our valves to make sure to get the maximum air flow without the 'gurgle' of the valve.
• replacement bellows. Instead of patching and re-staining worn bellows, I choose to replace them with new all leather 7 fold bellows.

Note the 'hole' next to the thumbstrap, caused by the thumbnail. The amboyna veneer has been completely 'scraped' out. 

The same instrument, finished. The 'hole' in the previous photo has been replaced with a new piece of amboyna.
 

     
This is the standard Lachenal 'hook' action. The lever is kept in place by the spring pressure. The action is just as 'fast' as a riveted one, but it is very noisy.  It also needs more spring pressure to keep the pivot point from moving.  This extra pressure makes the instrument play heavier than a riveted one.

This is the same instrument with a replacement riveted action. The brass post, through which the lever moves, eliminates all side movement of the button. As a result the action is very quiet and even. The spring pressure can be reduced because the friction is reduced to a minimum.

                                                                  The condition of the bellows are beyond repair. Instead of  'patching' them, I replaced them with new 7 fold all leather bellows.

                   new 7 fold bellows

See the completed instrument

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