Hohner Piano 36

Viewing 9 posts - 16 through 24 (of 24 total)
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  • #1704
    albalex
    Participant

    Hi all,
    I love Hm-36 ….. has its minor flaws but repays you with a wonderful sound playing with dynamics ranging from pianissimo to forte.
    The melodic Japanese do not dislike me …. the sound is just what I’m looking for the HM-36 ……

    #3201
    Tom
    Participant

    Hohner Piano 36 This video really shows how superior it is to the newer hohners.

    #3287
    Alan Brinton
    Participant

    I recently acquired a used Piano 36 on eBay. My first impressions are very favorable and it’s in very good condition, except that the high B is squeezed between A and C, as a result of which the B sticks when depressed. My more immediate problem, however, is that with all screws removed the melodica will not come apart. I’m wary about trying to pry it off. This is the Piano 36 with the white strap and gold strap trim. Any advice on this?

    #3288
    Lowboy
    Participant

    Hi Alan,

    I think I know what is going on. There is a white, putty-like substance that is used in several locations to seal the cover to the body. On my Piano 36 (gold trim), it was located in the four corners and at the ridgeline at both ends.

    The cover does not fit perfectly, so there areas must be sealed up. At least this is what I found on mine.

    So I would recommend prying evenly and gently and see what happens. There are no hidden screws or tabs to the best of my knowledge. I took mine apart several months ago.

    Regards,

    Lowboy

    #3289
    Alan Brinton
    Participant

    Thanks, Lowboy. Am I right that it is the bottom metal V sheet that should snap off? Just want to be sure I’m not prying at the wrong place.

    #3290
    Lowboy
    Participant

    That is correct. Maybe using a wide blade could help prevent damage to the thin metal cover. Mine did not really require too much effort. Before I got too concerned that I was going to damage something, the cover came off.

    Lowboy

    #3291
    Melodica-Me
    Participant

    Alan, like Lowboy states, pry evenly and slow it should be ok. The first time I opened my HM 36 it was a little tight. Quick hint. Use a soft sponge brush with some scope mouth wash and rinse with a clean sponge brush and it helps get the smell out, but do not let the mouth wash stay on the reeds, it will de-tune your Melodica. You can also remove the reed plate and sit in a cookie sheet with some mouth wash and rinse in the sink and dry thoroughly? For some reason or another these bad boys tend to gather odors especially if there was a smoker in the house.
    Melodica-Me

    #3292
    Alan Brinton
    Participant

    Thanks for the encouragement and advice, you guys. As I was trying to get space in which to pry, I pulled hard on the strap and the bottom suddenly snapped off (safely). The shafts (?) of the keys, as you know, are metal, and I was surprised to find that several are bent, actually ten of them are bent. So it seems clear that somebody has worked on the keys. Also, some keys are loose, while others are solidly in place. This is not detectable from the top of the keyboard. The high B and B# shafts are noticeably bent. When I depress the B key, the A also depresses, which is clearly due to those two white keys touching each other. Sometime, also, when I depress the C, it sticks to the B and depresses both the A and C. The gaps between the G and A and between the C and D are noticeably wider than they should be. These clearance issues are between the keys themselves, not between the pads. So it seems that the solution should be to narrow the gaps between the key tops of the A and B and those of the B and C. Or to try replacement keys from a junker.

    The reeds are in excellent shape on this melodica, which I won on eBay at about $130, and it is otherwise in very good condition. So I don’t mind investing time and/or money in it. In fact, I can live with the problem keys if necessary. I also recently purchased a new old stock Piano 32 from Greece. It’s very nice, but unfortunately it isn’t a smaller version of the Piano 36. Sound and action are not as good.

    #3295
    Adam Tombs
    Participant

    Thats good news Alan. The Hohner Piano 36 and the Pro 36 are by far my favourites in my free reed menagerie.
    In time, these will become highly sought after, in my opinion. Even if they don’t become highly sought after, we need to preserve them. When I got my Piano 36 it had a broken inlet hole (where the mouthpiece fits) and a non responsive reed or two. I repaired the mouth piece with two part resin glue and freed the reeds up. She is a little too well loved to be a true collectors piece but she plays beautifully now and I aint selling her!

    All the best,

    Adam

Viewing 9 posts - 16 through 24 (of 24 total)
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