Re: Roland FR8X or fr8x dallape

[seeyu]

Hi,would like to ask about the differences between these two piano accordions,is it only the grill and dallape expansion or is it more.thanks.

 

[Glenn]

I think you also get fancy leather straps (monogrammed) and cleaning cloths and such.
But basically it is the same machine with the Dallape sounds and a luxury presentation.

 

[JIM D.]

The FR-8x and FR-8x Dallape are mechanically and digitally the same. The only advantage to the Dallape model is it's a limited edition model (500 units) and has a different grill and straps and comes with the Dallape expansion set from the factory. The Dallape expansion sets can be installed in a standard FR-8x as an option whenever you please.
What it really comes down to is a matter of taste, and or a desire to one up your neighbor. :ch

 

[hyphz]

Do you know anywhere you can get the Dallape and other expansion sets?

 

[JIM D.]

You can get them from Roland -- In the U.S.A. Tel. (323) 890-3700 -- In Canada Tel. (905) 270-6626 And in the U.K. Tel. (01792) 702701 If your in the US and close to - http://www.falcettimusic.com/ - you can come to the studio and we will load them for you.

 

[hyphz]

I'm in the UK but thanks. Also, the manual mentions a tool for unscrewing the treble buttons, do Roland sell that too?

 

[JIM D.]

Previous to the FR-8x Roland used a button top of their own design and could be unscrewed and replaced with a Roland button top only. The 8x uses the industry standard button top used on German and Italian accordions today. Just grip the top firmly and unscrew it counter clockwise.

 

[hyphz]

I have tried doing this but they seem to be on quite tightly and the force is difficult to apply without pressing unnecessarily hard on adjacent button. Is there a standard tool for removing the standard type buttons?

 

[JIM D.]

I appreciate your response on the fear of removing the buttons on a standard button box. The unwary sort will make an attempt and the result can be + or - results. The intelligent gent will do such as you and ask ??'s . You are not alone as on this side of the pond 99.9% of accordions are PA and the few new button box owner's are not familiar on how to remove a treble button top and then ask for advise. I'm sure there are forum members here that have replaced treble key tops on acoustic's and Rolands an can weigh in on this subject.

 

[hyphz]

One other question is about how to set the FR8x down. On my old acoustic I would hold down the exhaust button, squeeze the bellows closed, then lower the accordion to the ground with a few buttons pressed on the treble so that minor bellows movements wouldn't try to push air into the closed environment. On the Fr-8X in order to do that I have to leave it powered on because if I switch it off the bellows will be sealed even if treble buttons are pressed. Is that normal? I did have someone claim that once the FR8x is off the bellows input is closed so no air should be able to move at all, but I'm not quite sure of that. Is there a clear way? I'm surprised this wasn't in the manual.

 

[JIM D.]

On all Roland models the air button will operate whether the unit is on or off. Most all Roland owners exhaust the air from the bellows to close the bellows straps and power the unit down. With an accordion with bellows straps this is a simple procedure and becomes a habit. As you know the 8x does not come with bellows straps installed and with any accordion not equipped with bellows straps the release of air in the bellows before putting the box down can be forgotten. The result in some cases is an accident waiting to happen. Have any of you owned a slinky toy in the past ?? -- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slinky -- Well an accordion put down with air in the bellows tends to operate with this slinky effect. When placed on the floor with air in the bellows the box simply topples over but when placed on a table that accident waiting to happen, happens !! Just this last week I received a call from Falcetti Music to meet a customer who would be traveling 2 1/2 hours to the Studio and wished to wait while I installed bellows straps on his 8x. When I met the customer I realized why he wanted the bellows straps. It seems he finished playing, did not exhaust all air from the bellows, and placed the 8x on a table. The box took a 3 1/2 foot fall and of course damage resulted. (The Slinky Effect) Not only did I install bellows straps, but had to replace two grill knobs, touch up small scratches , and remove dents from the grill. For some of you not aware, this is the reason most all accordions have bellows straps.