Reyes Accordions Monster Garage

Hi I'm Gilbert Reyes Jr with a 1970s Corona II accordion with 34 buttons. That's right , 34 buttons. Since I have been playing Gabbanelli accordions for such a long time, I got use to using the last three buttons of the accordion. Hohner only makes a 31 button accordion so I modify "custom" my hohner accordions. Sometimes I will only add the high C note on the bottom first row, or I go all out and add the three buttons. Why do I do it? Because it is a great stress reliever! More importantly, sometimes I feel like using my hohner for performances -- not as heavy when you are playing a three or four hour gig. I have literally destroyed about four accordions while learning how to do custom work on them.

I have two workbenches, the one on the left is in my study where I do all of the intricate repairs such as reed block modification, reed tuning, and much more. On the right hand side is my larger work bench where I have all of my power tools such as drill press, electric saw and all of the tools necessary to break hohner accordions in half. But, I am confident that I won't break anymore. Just kidding. I can modify these puppies with my eyes closed.

Since there is so much detail involved in modifying a corona II, I will only show you some parts that are modified in the process. As you can see on the left hand side picture, three additional button rods are added. The inside has to be changed by removing and modifying the press bar, and the reed blocks have to by cut and extensions added. If you are not accurate on the reed blocks, the alignment on the accordion will be off and you will get no sound. So be careful if you ever venture in doing this yourself.

All three reed block have to be modified and holes need to be drilled on the top portion of the accordion. The wooden top part where the button valves are located is extremely fragile and you can cause a lot of damage if you don't do it right.

The only thing I will not modify is the treble button plate (adding three additional holes). I have ruined many. My good friend John Hodges who is a musician and owner of Mid State Machining does the job for me. He uses a quarter of a million dollar computer programmed machine that does wonders. This machine is used to cut and shape all kinds of metal including motorcycle rims and parts. Indeed a true "monster garage." The nice thing about John is that he does not mind using his $250 thousand dollar machine, to modify my $20 accordion plate. It must be because we are both musicians. Mid State Machining - 3224 #15 Elkhorn Blvd, North Highlands, CA 95660 -(916) 348-6320.

I don't consider myself an accordion repairman. I only do it because I love accordions and like to work on my own personal boxes. The tools on the left belonged to Bill Frichette who repaired accordions for over 25 years in Springfield, Missouri. He also loved to play the accordion and had his own band for over 30 years. He was also a respectable accordion repairman in that area and everybody knew Bill. Bill is no longer with us and Carol his wife sold me these tools. On the right is a Peterson 590 strobe tuner. The only way to go if you are serious about tuning your accordions accurately.

The finished product -- a 34 button Hohner Corona II in GCF