Tuning, Repairs & Price Guide | The Accordion Workshop

ACCORDION REPAIRS AND TUNING

PRICE GUIDE

The Accordion Workshop offers a comprehensive list of repairs and has an extensive collection of rare and original accordion parts.

Repairing accordions is specialised work and a very time consuming process. Overhauling a vintage accordion can take several days of meticulous full-time work. Please be aware of the time and skill involved in repairing and tuning accordions before purchasing a vintage accordion online, at a garage sale or a market, because if the accordion is in a poor condition the cost of repairing it could be high. Each accordion is different and a full quote can only be provided once the accordion has been inspected.

Prices reflect the amount of time it takes to complete each job. These prices are subject to change and only represent an estimate. All price estimates are in Australian dollars.

GENERAL REPAIRS

Basic repair: $120
Stuck key repair: $120
Replacing one broken reed: $120 ($40 for each additional reed requiring replacement.)
Bass strap repair/replacement: $120/$220
Resetting keyboards when the keys are uneven: $300
Replacing a broken key: $175 (depending on part availability).
Replacing bellow straps: $175
Replacing and resetting pallets (leathers and felts) often the cause of a constant droning. Depending on how many pallets and which side of the accordion: $350 (treble side) $400-$750 (bass side - Depending if the bass mechanism is removable as a whole or if it will have to be disassembled to access the pallets).
Bass Mechanism Repair: $150-$350 Depending on the severity of the problem. Some bass mechanisms are beyond the point of repair and will need to be inspected before work can be started. Note: Some bass mechanisms are easily repaired in around ten minutes. In such a case the cost is much lower.
Register switch/mechanism repair: $120 to $200 (depending on the severity of the problem).
Repair leaking bellows/replace bellows seals: $175
Stuck button repair: depends on how many buttons are stuck and what the cause is. Sometimes it's just a matter of realigning a button and sometimes it can be an issue with the bass mechanism.

TUNING

Tuning a piano accordion or five row chromatic accordion (when the accordion is generally out of tune and does not require work on the valves). $500-$750 depending on size and age.
Tuning a melodeon/diatonic accordion one, two or three row (when the melodeon is generally out of tune and does not require work on the valves). $350
Tuning up to ten reeds: $150
Adding tremolo/musette: $325
Adjusting three reed musette: $400
Removing tremolo/musette (dry tuning): $400

RESTORATIONS

Restorations take a considerable amount of time and skill to complete. I generally only work on one restoration at a time, and I do not work to a strict timeframe. Please note that I only do restorations on high quality accordions made by reputable manufacturers.

Restoring/overhauling a piano accordion or five row chromatic accordion that requires a full tune and valve replacement or resetting: $700-$1000 Depending on the age and condition, number of reed blocks, number of bass buttons, etc. (Fluttering, buzzing and popping sounds are signs that valves require work).
restoring/overhauling a piano or chromatic accordion including: tuning, re-waxing reed blocks, resetting or replacing valves, replacing damaged reeds and any other required repairs.

12-24 bass $800

32-48 bass $1000
60-72 bass $1200
96-120 bass $1400

120 bass - Tone chamber/cassotto setup $1600

Tuning a melodeon/diatonic accordion that requires a full tune and valve replacement or resetting. $500
Overhaul/restoration of a melodeon/diatonic accordion including: tuning, re-waxing reed blocks, resetting or replacing valves, replacing damaged reeds and any other required repairs. $800
Overhaul/restoration of a one row melodeon/diatonic accordion with stops. (Hohner HA-112, HA-113, HA-114 or similar). Call or email for more information.

OTHER AVAILABLE REPAIRS

Cosmetic repairs: Call or email for more information.
Re-taping bellows: Call or email for more information.
Bellow replacement: Call or email for more information.
Melodeon Conversion (for example C/F to D/G): Call or email for more information.
Pitch Change. Most Italian made accordions are tuned to A = 442 Hz or A = 443 Hz (and sometimes outside this range). Most German and Chinese made accordions are tuned to A = 440 Hz. Accordions will be tuned to their set pitch unless a pitch change is requested. Call or email for more information.

Please note that very old accordions are often much more difficult to overhaul and quotes for such instruments may be higher than the prices quoted above.

For any other repairs please call or email for advice. The usual turnaround time is one to two weeks for small jobs and up to a month for larger jobs. All quotes and inspections are free.