How we produce
We are a traditional family business and most of all production is manufacture. The quality of each part is crucial for the final sound and quality of the instrument. That’s why we make most of the parts ourselves. We have our own carpentry, metal production and pressing production. Even after one hundred years, we are local and we buy most of the materials in the Czech Republic.
Production of diatonic accordions
CARPENTRY
We buy wood exclusively from Czech forests. We use traditional species such as spruce, linden, alder, beech, ash or walnut. In the carpentry, the wood is roughly processed and cut, and according to the original production plans, the individual parts are prepared for gluing. To glue individual parts, we use special glues for wood or a traditional mixture of bone and skin glue, which guarantees a perfect connection of all parts of the instrument. All parts must fit exactly so that the instrument plays properly and no air escapes from anywhere. After drying, the accordion is roughly sanded and then “modeled” – small wood imperfections are captured and machined smoothly with sandpaper and files.
METAL PRODUCTION AND PRESSING PRODUCTION
Thanks to the original presses, we are able to make all the metal parts of the instrument ourselves. We produce metal rods for bass buttons, flaps or metal corners for bellows. Plastic parts of an accordion are also created here – keys, bass buttons, frames of bellows and registers of the right and left hand.
PRODUCTION OF BELLOWS
We make bellows from a special kind of paper. First we cut the paper to the required size and then we stick it on the auxiliary frame. We glue the corners of the bellows with soft leather to maintain flexibility. Then we cover the whole bellow with a canvas. The color of the bellows is always the customer’s choice. Finally, we cover the edges of the bellows with a so-called tie, which protects the bellows from damage. So do metal corners. Finally, we glue the finished bellow to the frame, with which it will be inserted into the accordion after drying.
CELLULOID COATING
When the body of the accordion is perfectly cleaned, it is coated with celluloid. It is first softened in the acetone vapors so that it can be shaped. Subsequently, it must be stretched and glued onto the body of the accordion very quickly and precisely. This dries for at least 14 days.
CUTTING OF FLAPS
When both metal and wooden parts are coated with celluloid, they are milled on simple cutters according to specific templates created for each model. The flap is the part of the accordion that catches the eye at first glance in terms of design, so we are still working on new types. The flaps of diatonic accordions are milled by machine or hand saw with maximum emphasis on accuracy.
POLISHING
After perfect drying, the celluloid-coated body of the accordion is polished using special pastes and polishing brushes. The accordion has a perfect glossy appearance that has a long durability.
COMPLETION
It’s time to breathe life into the accordion, creating bass mechanics and the treble mechanics. Drawbars and other components are installed, which must fit in the holes exactly in order to maintain their smooth movement inside the body of the accordion and so that the sound is not disturbed by anything.
VALVING AND WAXING
The individual reeds, which are previously fitted with valves, are arranged in the bridges. These prevent the air from returning as the bellow moves back. The order of the reeds has its exact rules. Finally, the reeds are filled with special wax, which fixes them in the bridges.
TUNING
The last, most important step comes. The master tuner tunes the reeds with perfect precision so that the sound coming from the accordion can withstand even players with most perfect hearing.
PACKAGING
After the final inspection of the accordion, it is time for packaging and sending to the customer. If you cannot pick up the accordion in person, we will store it in a case or shoulderbag, carefully pack it in a box and send it via our transport company anywhere in the world, emphasizing the maximum possible transport safety.
