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Roland 8x hard case and bellows straps

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jimgansett

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When Roland made the 8x model, they eliminated the bellows locking straps. Why? Only they know for sure. In addition, there is no hard case available from Roland for the 8x. Well, I didn't feel comfortable picking up and moving the 8x without bellows straps, and didn't like the soft gig bag that comes with the 8x. I prefer the protection that a hard case gives. So, I had Jim D install bellows straps (yes, it can be done without messing the electronics up) and also make for me a hard case to fit the 8x. The case is real nice, looks great and uses quality hardware, rolls extremely easy with ball bearing casters, 8x fits like a glove. I am uploading pics of the bellows straps and case in case (no pun) anyone would like to see them.
 

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Yes, Jim D. mentioned earlier that Roland had cut back on the bellows straps. I'm not sure of yours, but he also said the shoulder straps on the FR8X he examined did not appear to be the Italian ones. I know shoulder straps are varied in terms of material, style, etc., but I was quite surprised they would try to save money by not including a bellows strap, since most everyone would likely want/need them. That is a beautiful case for your FR8x. Jim D. mentioned he also makes the battery pack for the FR8X. I believe it is composed of AA batteries, and he offers a much fairer price than buying it through Roland. We enjoyed your performance of "At Last", Jim. Thanks!
 
lasvegascolonel said:
but he also said the shoulder straps on the FR8X he examined did not appear to be the Italian ones
I believe that on the 8x Dallape model (more expensive) they used the Italian straps as well as different bellows ( the bellows have a design you can see when expanded). I really like and use the Neotech straps, very light, flexible, and comfortable. I think you meant that Jim D made a battery pack for a different model, not the the 8x, as the charging circuitry is built into the 8x, you simply plug a power pack directly into it. Thanks for the nice comment about At Last. I had forgotten I even recorded that one. Take care.....
 
Jim had said on the forum that the FR8X takes the same battery pack as the FR7X and some previous models. The pictures I've seen online show it to be a long casing containing several AA batteries, which I believe is the item Jim can make. I guess for me, though, if I had a Roland, I'd use just the wall outlet at home as Jim says you don't need the batteries to run it. Again, great to have you onboard, Jim.
 
The FR-5 , FR-7 , FR-7x , and FR-8x use the same rechargeable 24 volt battery pack. The battery pack is made up of twenty 1.2 volt AA size batteries and when fully charged will give 8 hours of play.
 
Hi Jim D. I think the confusion is on the models. You said The FR-5 , FR-7 , FR-7x , and FR-8x use the same rechargeable 24 volt battery pack, which is true, But the 1x and 3x use a different scenario, the 3x using 10 rechargable AA Ni-MH batteries. I think the 1x is the same, I'm not sure. :D
 
The models FR=3 and FR-3x are 12 volt and use 10 AA batteries or a 12 volt power supply. The FR-1x uses 8 AA batteries.
 
I dont think that leaving off the bellows straps was an economic measure. A set of leather bellows straps is nowhere near as expensive as a set of shoulder straps. Internal locking mechanisms are characteristic of some of the better European accordions, such as the Hohner Morino line. Roland probably could have saved a little money by not wasting their time, etc. with an electronic locking mechanism that doesnt always work very well.

The shoulder straps, on the other hand, are very nice, especially on the Dallape models. However, my strap of choice is the Neotech Mega Strap. They are light, easily adjusted, inexpensive, and they dont slide around as much as most of the leather straps.

lasvegascolonel said:
I know shoulder straps are varied in terms of material, style, etc., but I was quite surprised they would try to save money by not including a bellows strap, since most everyone would likely want/need them.
 
JIM D. said:
The FR-5 , FR-7 , FR-7x , and FR-8x use the same rechargeable 24 volt battery pack. The battery pack is made up of twenty 1.2 volt AA size batteries and when fully charged will give 8 hours of play.
I know for a fact that the battery cells in the pack are not of size AA.

For more details, please read this thread.
 
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