Squeezeplay
Active member
I have noticed that on E bay and other sites, there are lots of Roland FR models for sale, 1X,4X, 7X, 8X etc. BUT virtually no one is selling their 3X
I wonder why that is ?
I wonder why that is ?
Preowned Roland accordions
- Thread starter Squeezeplay
- Start date
I don't know how popular the 3X is, as it is an older Roland model. It is a 37 treble key accordion. Its replacement was the FR-4X that is also a 37 key accordion. The 4X came out in 2016 and is the latest accordion that Roland came out with.
The 8X, which is a 41 key accordion came out in 2013. It is their latest "full size" accordion that Roland has manufactured.
Likely just a numbers thing more than anything else. The 3X came out in 2010, it may be that many believe that they have come to near the end of their lifecycle. The 4X is the predecessor to the 3X and it is a much better optioned, better sounding model.
Another potential reason to add on top of that is the fact that for some, the 3X is their personal sweet spot and they are not considering an upgrade to a 4X as it may not offer them more in their eyes, the 1X is a step down and the 7X, 8X or Fisa are just too expensive or far outside their needs or ability to use.
We are going to see a lot of Rolands coming up for sale over the next couple years, that we can thank the Fisa for.
Squeezeplay
Active member
The 3X in my opinion, can do pretty much anything the 4X can, but the method of navigating through the menu stinks big time, and I think the 4X tries to address that. I have noticed also that if a 3X comes available, it’s gone in a heart beat. As far as the sound quality goes, from twenty feet away through a good amp, you would be hard pressed to tell which is which. Through trial and error, I have managed to make mine mimic my Victoria to the point that in a “ blind test “ my wife can not tell one from the other, and the Morino programming from Derek Hamilton is also right on. So maybe the 3X is actually a lot better than it’s made out to be. I was not exactly impressed with the “ improved “ sound of the FR4X, but maybe I’m just a little prejudiced ?
It has the later sound engine, more sounds and can use the sound editor, that alone is a pretty big thing.
Not always hard to tell apart, there are some nice sounds on the 4x that are not available on the 3x.
I’d say that for most people it won’t make much difference, for someone that did their homework and sees/knows the differences, they will choose the 4x over the 3x.
Not always hard to tell apart, there are some nice sounds on the 4x that are not available on the 3x.
I’d say that for most people it won’t make much difference, for someone that did their homework and sees/knows the differences, they will choose the 4x over the 3x.
I have a Roland FR3xb.
I bought a RolandFR8xb beacause of all the glowing reviews.
I agree the FR8 has more bells and whistles and sounds better, yet I wasn't using a 10th of its capabilities, so I sold it and kept hte FR3 which I am very happy with.
Now, in the hands of Jerry et al, the FR8 would be the one, but in my case it was wasted.
As they say, horses etc.
I bought a RolandFR8xb beacause of all the glowing reviews.
I agree the FR8 has more bells and whistles and sounds better, yet I wasn't using a 10th of its capabilities, so I sold it and kept hte FR3 which I am very happy with.
Now, in the hands of Jerry et al, the FR8 would be the one, but in my case it was wasted.
As they say, horses etc.
I think I hit 25% of it's capacities this year with it... lol
The FR4x in my opinion is the best choice out there. Paid in full with my gig money. I will stay with it. I think the next direction may be an accordion with its own arranger built in. Which some brands are hitting this market in Europe.
Anything with a LIMEX midi setup has that now, however, I will say that its nice, but so much more limited than if you use an external arranger. You cannot pack in a complete complex arranger into a small place available inside an accordion and the screens are going to be tiny in comparison as well as the # of buttons will be limited too.
This may not be as big a thing... you play keyboards so its not that big of a thing.
I was also thinking... if integrated in to an accordion, one is stuck with what it is for life, whereas if the arranger is external, when the newest/latest/greatest comes out, you can upgrade without the penalty of not being able to sell the older one and safe a little money.
I've been using exernal arrangers since the 80's and have a Beltuna with the LIMEX midi seting with arranger. Tried the LIMEX setup once just for fun, felt too constrained and never used that aspect since.
Of course, like everything, this is just my personal opinion.
Alan Sharkis
Prolific poster
There have been some attempts to include arranger functions in accordions. Gwerder was one, but they disappeared. Zonta was another with a reedless and a somewhat limited rhythm facility built in.
OTOH, some accordion makers decided to make their own external arranger modules. Cavagnolo is one.
OTOH, some accordion makers decided to make their own external arranger modules. Cavagnolo is one.
MusicTech Music Maker dual link digi beat is another that also has a built in arranger
Squeezeplay
Active member
I think that Roland and Ketron pretty much have it all sewn up as far as arrangers go. Although I’m not much on the way the BK7M approaches the rhythms, I have to admit, they pretty much had the market for a long while. Used ones today seem to sell for the same price they were new. I like my Ketron stuff. Once you get it figured out, I prefer their rhythm styles to the Roland. I will say though, that they seem to rush a model to market, and let the users find and fix all the glitches, rather than work them out before marketing them…. My arranger is a model or two behind the current issue, so the glitches have been taken care of by those who seem to need to be first to have a specific “ new” model of something. Thank goodness for those types, if not for them, people like me would still be using a rhythm ace
I don’t think the Music Tech is gonna go far here for a couple reasons. Firstly the ability to go wireless is very expensive using their proprietary system. Secondly, there are no internal speakers, so you need an amp. The sounds are all in an external box you hook up to the accordion with a cable. That being said, their accordion sounds are super. The others are sorta ho hummy . Yes they will make you an accordion with an internal speaker, but that is a special order. And you have to wait a long time for it. I wanted to order one, and was stalled by the factory long enough that I bought a Roland.
I don’t think the Music Tech is gonna go far here for a couple reasons. Firstly the ability to go wireless is very expensive using their proprietary system. Secondly, there are no internal speakers, so you need an amp. The sounds are all in an external box you hook up to the accordion with a cable. That being said, their accordion sounds are super. The others are sorta ho hummy . Yes they will make you an accordion with an internal speaker, but that is a special order. And you have to wait a long time for it. I wanted to order one, and was stalled by the factory long enough that I bought a Roland.
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Alan Sharkis
Prolific poster
Thanks for reminding me!
