digital accordion brands

[accordian]

so i was looking about online a the roland digital accordions and i must say that from looking at some of the prices as well as some of the problems eg. malfunctions I would like to ask if there are any other makes of digital accordion that wont give me a heart attack at the look of the price lol.

 

[torch]

I heard someone say that a digital accordion like Roland is indeed cheap in comparison with a high end acoustic accordion when considering the fact the digital accordion has many instrument sounds such as the violin, trumpet, and so forth. I do not buy that at all. A very inexpensive keyboard workstation will come with tons' of high quality sounds and fancy features. I understand there is much greater demand for keyboards than accordions, but still I think all accordions both acoustic and digital are all overpriced.

I bought every single V accordion model ( I cancelled my order for a Roland Dallape due to some known issues with it) just because my dealer friend let me buy them at cost plus sales tax. A dishonest dealer got my contact info in a very dubious manner and tried to sell me an FR7x for $7,200. An accordion technician friend said that was gouging which is illegal. Now that my dealer friend retired, I was shopping around for a 4x. A dealer told me that he transfers sounds from one V model to another. For instance from the 7x to the 3x. Even after I told him the 7x and 3x have the same sound card, and you don't move sounds around, he was still fumbling around and lying. I can tell he deliberately said it instead of saying that they do their program sets as if they've got something special that other dealers don't have.

My friend's father was an accordion dealer in SF years ago, and he would say that accordion dealers priced themselves out of business.

Just recently I bought the M-Audio Code 61 that comes with software worth a couple of hundred dollars. What a nice keyboard action. All for $350 delivered. How much accordion can you buy for $350? We need Casio to build a digital accordion with some nice accordion samples and a few orchestra sounds.

Well, I'd say shop around, and talk to different dealers. Some will have a good deal. As for brands, there are little choices. If you are looking for a self-contained digital box, there is the the Musictech, but their price is way up there, too. I'd rather go with a Roland.

A friend called me just now and said that he was ready to buy an FR8x. I suggested to him that he look into an Evo. I have never tried one here in the US, but soon I will be traveling overseas where I can try one. As expensive as it is, if I were getting an FR8x, I will pay a bit more and get an Evo. I hear it sounds better coming through a wood shell, wooden keyboard, lighter weight, smaller size, and most importantly a much smoother belllows action.

The last note: Don't buy that midi accordion that costs $20,000. My friend who used to have one agrees that that it's a gimmick. A bunch of LED lights, which are nothing but midi control. You can do the same with a basic midi accordion, a midi foot controller, and a sound module. Hire a local kid to program that thing for you. You will have a very capable midi accordion setup for a lot less.

 

[Keymn]

I heard someone say that a digital accordion like Roland is indeed cheap in comparison with a high end acoustic accordion when considering the fact the digital accordion has many instrument sounds such as the violin, trumpet, and so forth. I do not buy that at all. A very inexpensive keyboard workstation will come with tons of high quality sounds and fancy features. I understand there is much greater demand for keyboards than accordions, but still I think all accordions both acoustic and digital are all overpriced.

I bought every single V accordion model ( I cancelled my order for a Roland Dallape due to some known issues with it) just because my dealer friend let me buy them at cost plus sales tax. A dishonest dealer got my contact info in a very dubious manner and tried to sell me an FR7x for $7,200. An accordion technician friend said that was gouging which is illegal. Now that my dealer friend retired, I was shopping around for a 4x. A dealer told me that he transfers sounds from one V model to another. For instance from the 7x to the 3x. Even after I told him the 7x and 3x have the same sound card, and you dont move sounds around, he was still fumbling around and lying. I can tell he deliberately said it instead of saying that they do their program sets as if theyve got something special that other dealers dont have.

My friends father was an accordion dealer in SF years ago, and he would say that accordion dealers priced themselves out of business.

Just recently I bought the M-Audio Code 61 that comes with software worth a couple of hundred dollars. What a nice keyboard action. All for $350 delivered. How much accordion can you buy for $350? We need Casio to build a digital accordion with some nice accordion samples and a few orchestra sounds.

Well, Id say shop around, and talk to different dealers. Some will have a good deal. As for brands, there are little choices. If you are looking for a self-contained digital box, there is the the Musictech, but their price is way up there, too. Id rather go with a Roland.

A friend called me just now and said that he was ready to buy an FR8x. I suggested to him that he look into an Evo. I have never tried one here in the US, but soon I will be traveling overseas where I can try one. As expensive as it is, if I were getting an FR8x, I will pay a bit more and get an Evo. I hear it sounds better coming through a wood shell, wooden keyboard, lighter weight, smaller size, and most importantly a much smoother belllows action.

The last note: Dont buy that midi accordion that costs $20,000. My friend who used to have one agrees that that its a gimmick. A bunch of LED lights, which are nothing but midi control. You can do the same with a basic midi accordion, a midi foot controller, and a sound module. Hire a local kid to program that thing for you. You will have a very capable midi accordion setup for a lot less.

I bought my FR7 at discounted rate shortly before 7x. Until recently, changed to the fr4x. Only reason it is more compact. Bought digital because I did not want to deal with reed maintenance.
I think there is going to be some big changes in the industry, 2018. Even Yamaha Rumored another keyboard at a high price tag like the Tyros.
i never bring my accordion unless the client specifically wants it. Otherwise, just my Korg. Why would I want to play a accordion and only use the orchestra sounds in a Piano bar atmosphere? Although, Performing over 200 gigs a year, the accordion is the biggest seller.

 

[JerryPH]

so i was looking about online a the roland digital accordions and i must say that from looking at some of the prices as well as some of the problems eg. malfunctions I would like to ask if there are any other makes of digital accordion that wont give me a heart attack at the look of the price lol.

Ill tell you what... go look at the full price of a Concerto, or Cavagnolo or most any other digital or digital/acoustic accordion, then you can start to get your REAL heart attack and then come back to the Roland see how AFFORDABLE it now looks... lol

Really, if I have to say so, the Roland is the most affordable, most versatile and best designed digital instrument on the market today. No matter what, EVERYTHING that is electrical/digital has the potential to break down, and to be honest, we rarely hear people saying Ive had my Roland for 5 years and put it through hell, and it works perfectly, yet the first person that has a glitch (minor or major), we hear about it over and over. Ive had mine now since November

 

[Keymn]

so i was looking about online a the roland digital accordions and i must say that from looking at some of the prices as well as some of the problems eg. malfunctions I would like to ask if there are any other makes of digital accordion that wont give me a heart attack at the look of the price lol.

Ill tell you what... go look at the full price of a Concerto, or Cavagnolo or most any other digital or digital/acoustic accordion, then you can start to get your REAL heart attack and then come back to the Roland see how AFFORDABLE it now looks... lol

Really, if I have to say so, the Roland is the most affordable, most versatile and best designed digital instrument on the market today. No matter what, EVERYTHING that is electrical/digital has the potential to break down, and to be honest, we rarely hear people saying Ive had my Roland for 5 years and put it through hell, and it works perfectly, yet the first person that has a glitch (minor or major), we hear about it over and over. Ive had mine now since November

That is why I first purchased one in the FR7 era. First looked at acoustic...pricy. As far as electronics, had to replace the audio connector board. Which is probable the same on most accordions. Using straight connectors was the cause. Purchasing those big batteries too is a big expense. Had one fail after a couple years. I know many do modifications on there Roland, but like to stay with factory parts.

 

[JerryPH]

The Concerto is something like 2 or 3 times the price of a new Roland, but there are some pluses and minuses there, of course. They are a real acoustic accordion along with the digital aspect, and a quality accordion too, so there is that, however, I don't think they are as advanced a digital instrument nor have the variety of sounds or sonic possibilities of the Roland 8X has in comparison.

 

[torch]

I've seen a number of Concertos, and the one that my friend had didn't have a good acoustic box. In fact, it was much less than mediocre. It didn't matter to him because he never worked the bellows! No reed sound....

One of my midi accordion technicians had an opportunity to buy a used Concerto for $2,000. He didn't buy it, and told me not to buy it either saying that it is a nightmare to work on one.

 

[Keymn]

Ive seen a number of Concertos, and the one that my friend had didnt have a good acoustic box. In fact, it was much less than mediocre. It didnt matter to him because he never worked the bellows! No reed sound....

One of my midi accordion technicians had an opportunity to buy a used Concerto for $2,000. He didnt buy it, and told me not to buy it either saying that it is a nightmare to work on one.

Most arrangers, midi accordions could be a nightmare to work on. Like changing the audio connector board on my fr7. So many boards and connectors to remove to get at it. The last thing I want is electrical failure on my Korg or VAccordion. Who would fix it? Chain music store?
Like buying a car, could last for 300K or 60K miles before major problems.
Maybe get two of everything to be sure?

 

[torch]

Most arrangers, midi accordions could be a nightmare to work on. Like changing the audio connector board on my fr7. So many boards and connectors to remove to get at it. The last thing I want is electrical failure on my Korg or VAccordion. Who would fix it? Chain music store?
Like buying a car, could last for 300K or 60K miles before major problems.
Maybe get two of everything to be sure?

I dont think you need to worry about your Korg or V-Acc. Often times, you can have your V-Acco serviced by factory certified technicians in your area especially when yours is under warranty. Probably it will be cheaper for Roland, too. These technicians mainly work on keyboards. They are supplied with the factory service manuals and parts. In our city is an older technician certified by Yamaha, Korg, Roland, and all the major organ companies. He has done all types of repair work on V models.
Chain music store? I noticed that many of them sell the FR1x and the FR18. I think Roland should let them carry all V models. Make them more accessible and cheaper for accordionists.

 

[Keymn]

Most arrangers, midi accordions could be a nightmare to work on. Like changing the audio connector board on my fr7. So many boards and connectors to remove to get at it. The last thing I want is electrical failure on my Korg or VAccordion. Who would fix it? Chain music store?
Like buying a car, could last for 300K or 60K miles before major problems.
Maybe get two of everything to be sure?

I dont think you need to worry about your Korg or V-Acc. Often times, you can have your V-Acco serviced by factory certified technicians in your area especially when yours is under warranty. Probably it will be cheaper for Roland, too. These technicians mainly work on keyboards. They are supplied with the factory service manuals and parts. In our city is an older technician certified by Yamaha, Korg, Roland, and all the major organ companies. He has done all types of repair work on V models.
Chain music store? I noticed that many of them sell the FR1x and the FR18. I think Roland should let them carry all V models. Make them more accessible and cheaper for accordionists.

I recall when I first received my Fr7, took it to a Sam Ash store to try out wireless audio. They were impressed with the v and did mention would be a good idea to stock a smaller model. Not many accordionists In south Florida, maybe the market did not allow. They do have good technicians. They Fixed one of my Powered speakers under warranty.

 

[JerryPH]

I dont think you need to worry about your Korg or V-Acc.

Well, there are a couple of documented issues with the V-accordions. The 7/7x in particular has known issues with the screen dying and of course we all know about the hanging note issue that Cory Pesaturo and others are experiencing. That said, the 7x has been around an amazingly long time (in terms of digital instruments). I believe the 7 came out in 2004? To have an instrument that is still as popular 14 years later... amazing, and not surprising when issues develop.

I believe that the 8X came out what... 2013, and even the baby of the V-accordion line, 8X equipped EVO is now over 2 years old and show no signs of coming out with anything new coming any time soon!

In an industry where we get new updates/models every couple of years, that is impressive of itself and speaks to the quality of these units.

 

[torch]

It is true about the known issues; screen and hanging notes. Some cases are worse than others. Our local technician did a number of different things for the hanging note issue. My point was that the issue was dealt with locally when it comes to the V accordions whereas if you have problems with other Italian-made systems, there is not much help. Often times, there are no schematics whereas Roland has very well written service manuals.

I think I heard someone say on the other forum that there will be a new supplier for the 7x screen. I managed to buy 3 screens overseas for myself and friends.

 

[Keymn]

It is true about the known issues; screen and hanging notes. Some cases are worse than others. Our local technician did a number of different things for the hanging note issue. My point was that the issue was dealt with locally when it comes to the V accordions whereas if you have problems with other Italian-made systems, there is not much help. Often times, there are no schematics whereas Roland has very well written service manuals.

I think I heard someone say on the other forum that there will be a new supplier for the 7x screen. I managed to buy 3 screens overseas for myself and friends.

I found the fr7 service manual. If I get a chance I will try to find it in my pc. As I recall, It had schematics and calibration procedures.
What is happening with the screens? 7x has a color screen like 8x? Do you think the backlight on these screens burn out or dim? I think With the editor, a large color screen isnt necessary anymore.

 

[JerryPH]

What is happening with the screens? 7x has a color screen like 8x? Do you think the backlight on these screens burn out or dim? I think With the editor, a large color screen isnt necessary anymore.

The screens on the 7X and 8X are quite different:

http://syner-g.no-ip.biz/mymusic/files/v-screens-2.jpg>
http://syner-g.no-ip.biz/mymusic/files/v-screens-1.jpg>

In either case, no screen on the V-accordion means a near useless instrument. The screens on some 7X are going bad starting with losing a couple lines and getting worse over time.

 

[Keymn]

What is happening with the screens? 7x has a color screen like 8x? Do you think the backlight on these screens burn out or dim? I think With the editor, a large color screen isnt necessary anymore.

The screens on the 7X and 8X are quite different:

http://syner-g.no-ip.biz/mymusic/files/v-screens-2.jpg>
http://syner-g.no-ip.biz/mymusic/files/v-screens-1.jpg>

In either case, no screen on the V-accordion means a near useless instrument. The screens on some 7X are going bad starting with losing a couple lines and getting worse over time.

The color screen compacts some useful info. More easier for editing, I would think. Too bad about 7x screens. In the fr7 service manual there is a screen test procedure. It puts the screen in a checkerboard pattern...