[Lamar]

Being the first air-blown instruments I’ve ever played (I’m 61 now), I’m enjoying the light feel of blowing into the 44HPv2. Thank you for a comprehensive answer and the pictures.

[Lamar]

I have a broken reed on my 1899 Kimball reed org. It makes a sucking sound when I press the key, as the reed has too much room for air passage, so it does not oscillate. Since it is on the celeste rank, I haven’t worried about it. And the reed organ works on lower pressure pulling the air through the reed.

The melodica is like an European harmonium, which drives the reeds with pressure. I’m confident you would hear the effect of a broken reed.

[Lamar]

I went for SLS plastic polished white on the elbow. $14 for three, and they sent one extra.

Hehe – you could build a spit trap out of a (largish) plastic pill bottle. Give it that pro look. 🙂

[Lamar]

As an aside, I’m impressed with just how softly I can play the Hammond. My modern Performer 37 will puff past the reeds at soft wind velocity that makes sound on the Hammond. I know we get what we pay for, but what engineering makes the Hammond more sensitive?

So have we ascertained that the only mechanical difference between the 44H and the 44HP are the perforated case and the number of mouthpieces?

(Oh, and the Performer 37 comes with a very nice case. It’s a little nicer than the Hammond case.)

[Lamar]

I think that if something was loose in there, it would have to be from the reeds or keys, since everything in the melodica is there to support that linkage. Except the spit valve, of course. Yes, I did mean shake it. I’ve read about people actually whirling their melodicas to get the last few drops out… so shaking it won’t hurt it.

I’m glad it’s okay.

[Lamar]

Hi, Clep – Just wanted to let you know that I had some elbows for my Piano 36 made using your hohner_mpiano_36_elbow_v2.sti file and they work great. I put a spare hose from my Suzuki M27C and Hammond 44HPV2 in a coffee cup of hot water for a minute and then stretched it over the fitting. It wasn’t difficult. Thank you.

[Lamar]

Hello, Olivier.

The odds are if you don’t feel anything cracked or missing on the outside, and the plastic case and keys are intact and smooth, and all the keys play, and the spit valve works, and it has no new rattles inside, then you have not damaged it. Go ahead and play it.

At least it wasn’t your Hammond.

[Lamar]

Hi, Henry, I see a plethora of plumber’s tape out there. What’s the name of what you used, and is it silicon based? Thanks.

On second thought, the silicons look like they stick to themselves more than they do other items. I wonder exactly HOW that is useful for plumbing.

[Lamar]

Hi, Mark – the keys in my German Piano 36 (gold trim) are also noisy, but now that I’ve been in there, I don’t really see any mechanism that can be changed. The key operation method consists of the key, a pivot point, a metal link, a pallet valve (what I’d call it on a reed organ), and a felt pad that covers the opening into the reed compartment.

James B. in his 36 repair/dismantle thread is removing some of his keys. You might want to follow his thread.

On a side note, this forum does a great job of getting us to buy up old German Piano 36s. Motivated me.

[Lamar]

You need to get a “pick set” – common mechanics tool set that has four picks of different end shapes. Here’s one at Amazon.

I don’t think the shell *is* removable on this model.

[Lamar]

Well, I finally ended up submerging the entire thing. It has two air leaks – one is under the backing plate near the spit drain. The mouthpiece end has two more screws and is not leaking. I’ll take the back off again, but I anticipate I’ll finding some new gasket material for it.

The other leak is coming around the first “G” – streaming out both sides. This could be gasket, too, I don’t know.

[Lamar]

Hey, James. Actually, I’m posting at the forum. You’re getting them in email because you’ve subscribed to the thread I guess. I’m taking mine apart for cleaning and deodorizing, but I’m not planning to remove any keys. However, with the back cover off and the reed plates away from you, you’ll see the row of springs. Remove the spring from the key you want to work on, and I think you can wobble/pull/push/work the key out. I’ve removed the reed plates from mine and found part of what looks like white key material and some excess flashing from the manufacturing process. I’m going to clean it with Dawn dish detergent.

Looks like the airflow, again from the springs end facing you, is from the mouthpiece, through the channel all the way to other end, into the valve compartment from the treble end.

My leak is somewhere in there. The clue is that the leak is under the keys, so it’s either a pallet valve not sealing, or the gasket between the compartments (on the back cover) is letting air flow over.

[Lamar]

Well, I think the trim on my 36 *is* kind of gold… What have you found out?

[Lamar]

Hi, James – from where you are, you should be able to see the felts and flat metal actuators that come from the keys. That’s as far as I’ve gone with my Piano 36, no gold trim. Anyway, the felts should fit flat and close with a plink sound. If some are loose that could make for a floppy feel. The plastic parts that the flat metal attaches to is the keys, I think.

[Lamar]

Ah, did find a cap to fit it – one of those little bottles of complimentary toiletries the hotels used to provide – fits fine.

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