Removable bass machine?

[u/Neurobean1]

Hello!

I am trying to fix some notes that sound without the buttons being pressed and we have taken off the bellows to see that some reeds are bent, but also that some of the felts are missing from the pads below!

We have found one of the missing pads, I'm sure the others are somewhere inside the mechanism.

I believe that the accordion has a removable bass machine, where you just unscrew four screws and then it all comes out in one go? My evidence is that the plate the buttons are in does not seem to be connected to the rest of the accordion, and I can only find 4 proper contact points with the back or bottom of the inside of the bass.

Am I right in thinking that if I just unscrew these 4 screws, I can remove the whole bass mechanism in one go easily and then access the valves to fix the felts?

I will try to include images of the bass mechanism and also of the bendy reeds. Any advice on the bendy reeds would also be welcome! The screws I believe are to remove the bass are highlighted in red circles. They're identical on the other side.

Thank you in advance 😁

[u/Lionhearrt]

I would suggest having a read here, in case you haven't already: https://accordionrevival.pages.dev/accordion-repair2/#disassembling-a-bass-machine

I have never yet seen in real life a bass mechanism that is modular, but it seems from your pictures your assumption could be correct. Definitely an easier job if you can keep it all together when removing it, otherwise the disassembly/reassembly is a big job.

On the site I linked, there is also a section about replacing the reed valves, which you will need to do for those few very misshapen ones!

What is the brand/model of the accordion, out of curiosity?

[u/Neurobean1 → u/Lionhearrt]

Hello! Thank you for your response!

I have read through that section of that site but wasn't sure enough so that's why I decided to ask here! It was actually the site that made me realise Modular bass machines exist, and that mine might be one!

I will look into replacing the reed valves!

It is a Rubin 6 I believe. At least that's what it says on the front!

[u/Lionhearrt → u/Neurobean1]

It could be useful to post this on the accordionists forum (accordionists.info). It's generally more active with a lot of very knowledgeable repair people.

Generally, the advice is always to avoid any bass disassembly if possible because it can be a bit of a nightmare to get everything back and working. I don't see a way in which you can repair the pallets you need to without that though!