[Daren]

I’ve looked through the whole book – this is all the info on how reed material affects the sound.

Reed Plates

Steel has a loud and powerful sound, silver and nickel plates produce a sweet soft sound.

Reed plates were developed in this order for accordions: iron, brass, zinc, bronze, aluminium. Also, copper, ivory, ebony and other materials have been experimented with. Heavier plates such as brass have a more powerful and sonorous sound than aluminium, but aluminium is better for weight. The heavier the base the better, silver being the best, followed by brass, zinc, aluminium and wood.

Reed Tongues

Reed tongues were made from wood, bronze, brass, nickel silver, and are now made form “special Swedish steels”. Nickel silver and silver produce a soft sweet sound in contrast to steel, but don’t have the same power. Bronze produces a bright sound, but inferior in “intensity” (fullness?) to steel. Brass produces a less bright sound, steel is powerful and stable.

Interesting fact

Early accordion maker Paolo Soprani at some point tried making reeds with canes boiled in vinegar and garlic!