How to change bass button caps & bellows question (FR-1xb)

[TangoPrince]

My new FR-1xb was delivered with a bag of bass button reference caps, and I'd like to mark some seventh chords for easier finding. The manual tells me to just slide the original button caps upwards to remove them. However, I simply can't pry them loose whatever I do. They wo'nt budge and yes, I'm gripping the actual caps and not the button "cylinder". So I'd like to ask from someone who has changed bass button caps: Are those caps really that tight, or is there some trick to taking them off (without damaging the instrument)?

Also, how to make the bellows as light to play as possible? I've set the curve to extra light already. Also, I realized the proper technique to use them (that is, to set the volume to max and not pull the bellows with main force). I have opened the bellows repeatedly to maximum extent, which seems to have softened them a bit. However, they are still the tiniest bit too stiff for my taste. The air regulator wheel is frankly useless, since opening it much only produces an annoying sighing noise and in addition makes it impossible to play since there's practically no sound when pulling out. So, is there a method to make the bellows even lighter? Or should I just wait that they loosen a bit with playing, since I've used the instrument less than ten hours this far?

 

[JerryPH]

You can use a dull knife or small screwdriver to pry them up... after you do your first one, you will see how it goes and be able to do them by hand. I did a bit of a design on mine extending the "V" on my FR-8X and marking every "C" Free Bass button with a Swarofsky crystal.

 

[TangoPrince]

You can use a dull knife or small screwdriver to pry them up... after you do your first one, you will see how it goes and be able to do them by hand.  I did a bit of a design on mine extending the "V" on my FR-8X and marking every "C" Free Bass button with a Swarofsky crystal.  

Thanks for the tip! I was able to get one cap loose with the help of a narrow table knife. It even didn't leave any marking but the tiniest scratch along the button cylinder rim. Too bad the cap I took off was a wrong one, after all. Silly me, I didn't look how the rows really went... Well, now I at least know how to change the right ones.

 

[TangoPrince]

Finally, I realized the best method for changing those button caps. I took two thin tableknives, wedged them under the cap rim from opposite sides, and then gave the knives a tiny twist. Lo and behold, the caps popped easily off! Even better, there were no scratches in the button cylinders. I still think that Roland shouldn't have made the caps so tight, but at least my seventh chord row now has appropriate markings.