If I told you that you could completely transform the sound of your accordion for less than $2, would you believe me? Well, buckle up, because this post is going to show you how to do exactly that. You don't need to break the bank or invest in a high-end accordion with a tone chamber; instead, I’m going to share an accordion hack that can help you achieve a professional sound without spending much money at all.
In this post, I’ll walk you through the entire process of modifying your accordion using a technique that mimics the sound characteristics of an accordion with a tone chamber. And yes, we’ll do it for under $2. Trust me, by the end of this post, you'll wonder why you didn’t try this sooner.
What is an Accordion Tone Chamber? Before we dive into the hack, let’s first understand what an accordion tone chamber is and why it’s so sought after by professional accordionists.
A tone chamber is a feature found on high-end concert accordions. It’s a special compartment located just behind the grill of the accordion. When you play the accordion, the sound from the reeds enters this chamber, where it undergoes a natural process that rounds out harsh high frequencies and creates a smoother, more pleasing sound.
In simple terms, a tone chamber serves to create a more mellow, refined tone. It can make your accordion sound warmer, less shrill, and closer to the tonal quality of the human voice. This is why concert-level accordions (which can cost upwards of $10,000 or more) are often equipped with tone chambers—they’re designed to deliver a high-quality, professional sound.
However, not all accordions have this feature. Many budget-friendly or entry-level models, including my personal accordion I use in this video, do not come with a tone chamber. But guess what? I’ve found a way to modify your accordion so that it sounds just like a tone chambered instrument—using materials you probably already have lying around your house or can easily grab from your local store.
The Accordion Hack: DIY Accordion Grill Mute
What if I told you that you could create a DIY accordion grill mute that mimics the effect of a tone chamber? That's right! This simple modification will round out the sound of your accordion, taking it from bright and harsh to smooth and professional. The best part? It costs less than $2 and can be done in just a few minutes.
Why a Grill Mute Works: The idea behind this hack is to simulate the effect of a tone chamber by muting the sound that exits through the grill of your accordion. By partially covering the grill with materials that dampen the sound, you’ll reduce the intensity of the higher frequencies and soften the overall tone
While professional accordions with built-in tone chambers have the luxury of this sound-shaping technology, this method can give you a similar result for a fraction of the price. Trust me, once you hear the difference, you’ll be hooked!
Step-by-Step Guide to Creating Your Accordion Grill Mute
Materials You’ll Need:
Cardboard or Poster Board – You’ll need something to cover the holes in your accordion grill. I recommend testing a few materials to see which works best for your accordion; Standard White Poster Board, Heavyweight White Poster Board, or Illustration Board (a thin cardboard) which can be found at your local office supply store or Walmart.
Gorilla Mounting Putty – This sticky tack will help you secure the material without causing damage to your accordion’s grill. (Amazon link)
Gaffer’s Tape – This is a professional, residue-free tape that will help hold the materials in place. Gaffer’s tape is perfect because it doesn’t leave sticky residue like regular duct tape does. (Amazon link)
Ruler or Tape Measure – To ensure you get precise measurements for cutting your materials.
Pen or Marker – To mark where you need to cut the materials.
Scissors or Precision Knife - To cut the poster board material.
An Accordion – I recommend using an accordion without a microphone system that has been installed, as this will give you more flexibility with the installation.
Instructions for Installing Poster Board:
Remove the Grill: The first step is to take off the grill of your accordion. Most accordions have screws or levers holding the grill in place, so it should be a quick job to remove it.
Inspect the Grill: Once the grill is off, take a look at all the holes that let the sound escape. These are the areas you’ll want to cover to reduce the harshness of the high frequencies.
Cut the Material: Using your ruler or tape measure, carefully cut the cardboard or poster board to fit the holes on your grill. Depending on the shape of your grill, you may need to create several pieces to cover all the holes.
Apply the Mounting Putty: Roll a generous amount of mounting putty around the edges of the material. This putty is great because it is strong, sticky, and won’t damage your accordion.
Attach the Material to the Grill: Press the material into place on the inside of the grill, ensuring that it stays secure. Be careful not to apply too much pressure on the grill, as it can bend easily. If necessary, use a bit of gaffer’s tape to reinforce the material in place.
Reattach the Grill: Once everything is in place, carefully reattach the grill to your accordion.
*Instructions for installing the Gaffer's Tape is pretty much the exact same with fewer steps
Testing the Hack: Once you’ve modified your accordion with the DIY grill mute, it’s time to test the sound. You’ll immediately notice that the tone is softer and smoother, much like that of a tone chambered accordion.
Start by playing your accordion with the grill mute in place. The sound should be less harsh, with a rounder, more professional quality. You’ll notice that the high frequencies have been tamed, resulting in a more mellow tone that is often described as “jazzy” or “human-like.”
Here’s a breakdown of how different materials affect the sound:
Standard White Poster Board: This is the thinnest material, and it will reduce some of the harshness while maintaining a decent volume. It’s a good starting point, but it may not be as effective as the heavier materials.
Heavyweight White Poster Board: This material offers more dampening than the standard poster board, and it might reduce the overall volume a little bit. However, it will help achieve a smoother, warmer tone.
Illustration Board: This is the thickest material, and it provides the most significant dampening. It can reduce the higher frequencies significantly and give you a very mellow sound.
Gaffer’s Tape: If you want to go for the quickest and in my opinion, the most professional sounding result, gaffer’s tape might be your best option. It’s easy to apply and remove, and it provides a substantial improvement in sound quality without losing too much volume.
Why This Accordion Hack is a Game-Changer
This DIY grill mute hack is a total game-changer for any accordionist on a budget. If you’ve ever dreamed of getting that professional, chambered accordion sound without shelling out thousands of dollars, this is your solution.
Not only does it cost just a few bucks, but it’s also incredibly easy to implement. Whether you’re recording, performing live, or just jamming with friends, this mod will improve the overall tone of your accordion and make your music sound more polished.
Let’s break down the cost of this accordion hack:
Cardboard/Poster Board: Poster boards can cost around $2-$4. You can easily get multiple uses out of one sheet.
Mounting Putty: This costs about $10. I'd reccomend getting at least
Gaffer’s Tape: A roll costs around $20, but you’ll only need a few feet for this project, making the actual cost for this hack less than $2.
When you consider the cost of buying a tone chambered accordion (which can run you $10,000+), this hack is an absolute steal for transforming your sound.
My Personal Opinion
I'd reccomend you go for the Gaffer's tape, as it is the easiest to install and remove, gives the most pleasing sound since the material is cloth-like to begin with, allows for further modification by doubling or tripling it up and techincally speaking, only requires about 6 feet of the 90 foot roll; costing less than $2.
Final Thoughts: Accordion Tone for Under $2
With just a few simple materials, you can transform your accordion’s sound and get a professional, rounded tone that will make your playing stand out. Whether you’re looking to improve your sound for recording, performance, or just personal enjoyment, this accordion hack is a must-try.
So, grab your accordion, some poster board, and gaffer’s tape, and get ready to make your instrument sound like it’s worth thousands—without spending even 1% of that. Let me know in the comments how your DIY accordion grill mute works out and if you discover any new materials that improve your sound.
Until next time, Squeeze & Thanks for tuning in!
In France, Scotland and some of the British isles we use musette tuning. This is one set of reeds on pitch, one set is tuned a little sharp and one set of reeds tuned a little flat. This gives a tremulating effect like several violins that are a lttle different in pitch. It was developed for French dance halls as the sound carried better. A tone chamber tends to dampen this effect. The Scots like a very "Wet" sound with the greatest difference in pitch between the reeds. English "Folk" players often like to have this tuning. The German-made Honer accordions were favoured by the Scots, as they had wider, more powerful reeds.