Septemer 8, 2025<\/p>\n
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Today I looked at the very tight registration system of the Imperator.\u00a0 It’s a wonderful accordion and I was hopeing that I could address or at least lessen the force required to change registers.<\/p>\n
This system is the most complex registration system I have ever seen on any accordion and truthfully, I was a little concerned about tackling it, but I thought that if it was done slowl and careful, I might make some kind of improvement.<\/p>\n
OK the spoiler alert… its not really improved.\u00a0 I had it nearly all apart, and for things to be properly addressed, it would need to be completely taken apart, cleaned and assembled.\u00a0 It doesn’t sound hard, but it is not only complex, but it uses 8 tiny rivets, which I do not have and therefore would not be able to assemble again once apart.<\/p>\n
There are maybe 200+ parts to that section and I tried very much to clean them using a cleaner and a solution of 93% alcohol with towels, alcohol, contact cleaner and a can of compressed air.\u00a0 There was a lot of dirt in there, my paper towels and cotton swabs were black.\u00a0 During the ceaning process, the mechanism was smooth and light, it gave me hope that I would be successful… but as things dried up, they got very sticky again.<\/p>\n
A second try at cleaning netted me only slightly better results.<\/p>\n
Disappointed, I re-assembled it (took me a few tries as things are very finicky!).\u00a0 I noticed big hints that someone had been in there before.\u00a0 Not only from the old dirty lube (which should NEVER be used!),\u00a0 but from the one stripped hole where some amateur over-tightened and botched it up.\u00a0 Thank-fully it’s not in a critical location, but I will need to come back and address it.\u00a0 The easiest way will be with a slightly larger screw, there is room for one and it is hidden under the cover and is the easiest solution.<\/p>\n
So even though it’s a tiny improvement, we have a major disappointment.\u00a0 I will definitely need to come back at a later time and give it another try.<\/p>\n
I think that maybe using a dry lube (WD-40 specialist has just such a product) might be a good addition in the future too.\u00a0 It won’t gunk up the workings over time.<\/p>\n
Time will tell.<\/p>\n
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