[ Bernt Damm wrote:

> What is the correct way to reattach the aluminium reed assemblies
> inside the accordion to their wooden carriers?  I see the remnants
> of some sort of waxy stuff (beeswax?).

Hello,  I've been an accordion player for many years.  Accordion reeds
are held in place with a concoction consisting of beeswax, pine rosin,
linseed oil, and possibly a few other ingredients specifically for this
purpose.  Over time it dries out, loosing it's "gluing" properties,
and it becomes brittle.  It can't simply be re-melted -- it needs to be
replaced.

Do not use plain beeswax, the other contents serve a purpose.  Reed wax
is available on the internet from a variety of sources.  With just a
quick Google search I found the following:

  http://musicalhelps.com/Accordion/Accordion-Repair/ 
  http://acclab.com/accordionlab/mall/access/wax/wax.htm 

By chance I also came across an instruction video on YouTube:

  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q7-MUhBc1ho
 

It should be noted I have never attempted reed re-waxing myself,
although it's probably not a difficult process.  Don't even _think_
about tuning them yourself.  Reed tuning is an art that takes many
years to learn.  It requires almost no effort of amateur tuning to ruin
a set of reeds!

Rob Goodale
Las Vegas, Nevada