To start with, an admission: I'm somewhat cuddly (or overweight). This is not untypical of children of the 1950s, I fear.
So, taking up the accordion in my 60s, though logical for a reasonably competent home pianist able to play from a melody line + chord symbols, did have snags. Apart from the weight of the contraption - learning to sit down to play was not too tricky - the main issue was trapping bits of pullover or shirt buttons in the bellows. This proved a bit of a pain, and probably was unlikely to improve the bellows.
Having seen a fellow musician playing her (much posher) instrument which came with a back pad, I began to wonder.
Thomann stocks back pads of various sizes made by Weltmeister, and they're not very expensive. Having read the following website:
confident to fit it myself. I followed George Bachich's instructions
carefully (and NOT using a power drill, as he suggests) I ended up with a rather neater job than the one on his webpage. This is due to the Weltmeister pad being similar in texture to car floormats as well as having 5 fixing points. Full marks to Weltmeister for including 6 fixings (how often has a small screw gone awol in your life?). However, fitting instructions would improve this product for many.
George Bachich's repair manual Accordion Revival can be purchased direct from him, but postage from the USA is expensive.
So a great product at a great price. Repays careful fitting.
