Hammond B-24 spit valve
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Hello.
I have a Hammond B-24 Bass melodica, and I am wondering about how to use the water valve to release water (thes call it “spit valve” in the japanese manual.
It is a small button to press, and with normal melodicas you can then simply blow into the instrument without pressing a key and the water will be blown out.
With the Bass melodica, it seems to be different. I am guessing it is because it works with a bladder instead of directly a reed chamber. When i press the buton and blow, there is only a small amount of air passing through the bass melodica, I realized that when i hold the button pressed for some time, or when i press it repeatedly, some drops of water run out the bottom (no blowing required).
Is that the normal way to do it, or am i missing something? i wish there was a fast way to get the water out.The button on my basso is also very difficult to operate. The real problem is the position of the blow-out button – or rather, the valve. If you hold the instrument ergonomically, the button and valve are at the top. So after playing, I turn the instrument (keys at the top) and hold it by the keys and gently shake and tap the moisture out. This causes a lot more to come(blow)out. I also store it with the mouthpiece facing downwards so that the remaining moisture finds its way out by gravity.
Pusteblume, push the moisture release button at the end then blow into the melodica DO NOT press a key this will push the moisture out of the drain hole. Also after you are done playing it stand the melodica upright then later keeping the melodica facing downward then press the moisture release button and blow. This should help. The same process for the Hohner Basso and truer Suzuki Bass Melodion. Hope this Helps
Melodica-Me@melodica-me, what do you mean by “truer Suzuki Bass Melodion” ? i think i know which one you mean (the red one), but why is it truer?
Thank you both for the advice on draining the water, of course while pressing the valve button, the keys have to remain unpressed or the air to pass through the valve instead, like with all melodicas. Its just that in this case, there is a lot of resistance when blowing with the valve button pressed, and the water is not really pushed out while blowing, but rather runs out slowly when the butten is being kept pressed. I am sure it helps to hold the melodica upright and tap the casing, to help condense the water droplets into larger drops that can run down the reed plate and casing, and also to leave it standing with the mouthpiece down, so it can drain out of the mouth-hole. I was just wondering if i am doing something wrong, or if my melodica is broken, because i can not simply “blow” the water out like i am used to.Sorry that was a typo it should read “the” I took my Hammond BB to see if I was giving you any wrong information my BB is one of the first that came out but should be the same as the newer ones out now. When I blow into the mouthpiece and push the drain button at the same time air and moisture will come out inside the melodion body and then the moisture comes out through the vent grill on the bottom side. My BB has a small leak in the bladder so air and moisture constantly comes out until I repair the bladder. There is a “How To” I did many years ago here on MW on repairing the Hohner Basso bladder, the Suzuki bass melodions have the same bladder. Also when I say to stand the melodion upright so moisture accumulates at the bottom it does not come out of the mouthpiece.
Hope this clarifies
Thanks
Melodica-MeYes, defintely the spit valve. I press the keys before i blow. There is water inside the channel.
This happens to me much more often with the Suzuki than with the Hammond. I set the gap very small on the Suzuki. Everything on the Hammond is still original.Outside of the B-24, if you use a tube with your mouthpiece, remember to remove the tube before blowing into the melodica so that you do not blow additional water from the tube into the melodica.
I’ve had the same issue. In general I’ve found patience and waiting for the moisture to drain towards the valve helps, but the water key design that is used by older suzuki melodions and the newer B24 is honestly quite disappointing and outdated. Even the Clavietta, one of the oldest commercially produced melodicas, has a much better water key.
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