Vibrandoneon reeds – replaceable?

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  • #11178
    Pál Krammer
    Participant

    Although I don’t own one, the Vibrandoneon seems to have such a nice sound and I like the stops it provides. Some have come up for sale and are expensive, but my concern is reed life. A few people here mentioned being careful not to put “wear and tear” on the reeds – which I’d think would limit the enjoyment of such an expensive and expressive instrument.

    My understanding is that each reed is on a single plate and the plate is affixed in a small wooden sound chamber with wax – much like accordions.

    If that’s the case, would shops that work on accordions be able to replace or tune Vibrandoneon reeds with minimal or no custom machining?

    Even with melodicas, I’m surprised Hohner, Yamaha, Suzuki, or Hammond don’t seem to provide replacement reed plates (such as Hohner does with some harmonicas).

    #11181
    Melodica-Me
    Participant

    Hello Pal, I had a reed replaced on my Vibrandoneon from by a local accordion repair shop when I got a fracture on one reed, though they were able to match the reed and tune it, the match was not perfect. I was able to purchase a full set for spares from Binci and was much much closer to the original tone than the local repair shop. I purchased another full set two years ago of which I am using to build a new melodica. I too, do not play my Vibrandoneon or my Eolina on a regular basis, only when I plan on using them to record or for a special performance. Actually Suzuki and Suzuki/Hammond do sell replacement reeds. If you need a source let me know and I will forward.
    Melodica-Me

    #11182
    Daren
    Keymaster

    Yamaha also supply replacement reed plates! Some info here: https://melodicaworld.com/forums/topic/yamaha-pianica-p37d-reed-plates-uk/

    Also worth bearing in mind, melodica reeds need to be rust proof. So an accordion reed might work initially, but its not a good long term option. Currently there’s 2 companies supplying high quality melodica reeds – Binci and Harmonikaz

    #11183
    Pál Krammer
    Participant

    Thank you, Daren! This is excellent information; I’m glad Yamaha, Suzuki, Suzuki/Hammond sell reed plates. It makes me worry less about my P-32D and upcoming P-37D.

    The last thread regarding Vibrandoneon reeds was this one, about six years ago:

    Help with Finding Vibrandoneon Reeds

    At the time, it appeared that Binci was unresponsive but Martin Maurer was able to supply the reeds. So is Binci once again a source these days?

    #11184
    Pál Krammer
    Participant

    (well, maybe there is a more recent article than 2014 regarding Vibrandoneon reeds and I haven’t found it yet – this site has a wealth of information to pore through)

    #11185
    Binyomin
    Participant

    I was able to obtain spare reeds from Martin Maurer in Germany. When I spoke to Binci, they said they wouldn’t sell retail and Victoria has no interest in helping, despite the fact that they made the instrument.

    #11186
    Melodica-Me
    Participant

    If anyone recalls I think I posted in 2015 regarding the Vibrandoneon reeds. I had contacted Martin for the reeds as he was the source for them and has been my source for Binci reeds. I made the purchased with Martin and were mailed directly from Binci. 384 Euro for my Vibrandoneon VB600PMK. I actually just sent another text to Martin about another possible set. I spoke with Claudio Binci via messenger in regards to making the reeds for the Diamante in 2016, but there was a challenge with the anodizing that I needed. and I eventually settled on inox. He was very Helpful and was willing to sell them to me directly, but I had a total of (9) sets I was looking for in different materials so that may have been the reason why he would have sold to me directly.
    Melodica-Me

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