Roland FR-1x bellows protector available?

[Airy]

Although I've been playing (means: "learning") on a FR-1x for only less than two years the bellows starts to show signs of wear. I think I'm careful and choose clothings without zippers or buttons but it happened anyway.
I think the wear comes from the left shoulder straps which thouches the bellows at the bottom before it goes around to my back. :-(

On the back of the treble keyboard casing there are 4 kind of preprinted holes, 2 at the corners, 2 where the keyboard's body part matches the bellows' part. So I thought that these are meant to screw in some snap fastener to then attach a (standard) bellows protector.

My music shop says Roland doesn't offer any bellows protector or necassary parts for the FR-1x.

Any thoughts on this?

 

[pentaprism]

There’s no such thing as “standard” bellows pad and Roland doesn’t supply any for FR-1x.

But that shouldn’t prevent you from adding one yourself.

Read this thread .

On my FR-2, none of the locations of the “preprinted holes” match those on the bellows pad I bought. Photos here.

 

[dunlustin]

I have protectors that cover the buckles and other ironmongery.
They wrap around the strap and fix with velcro.
You can get posh leather ones or make them up for yourself.
see: Thomann guard for accordion stripes (sic = straps) or search accordion 'strap cover')
PS If it is the strap, a bellows protector may not do the job any way

 

[Airy]

PS If it is the strap, a bellows protector may not do the job any way

Good point. Thanks!

Starting from the helpful thread @pentaprism recommended above I came across a post which suggested a third party backstrap. This may help to reposition my shoulder straps to a different angle so they don't get into the way of the bellows movement. I will look into this too...

Where can I get a back pad/ bellows protector?

side question: what brand/type shoulder straps are those? Side answer: Neotech Accordion Harness. I like the deluxe version because of its back strap that can be positioned up/down. All of my accordions have Neotech harnesses now.

www.accordionists.info

 

[pentaprism]

@Airy

I just reread your initial post, and looked at my FR-1xb. It doesn't have the stock shoulder straps. But I don't know how the stock shoulder straps can cause any wear to the bellows. And as dunlustin commented, if it was the case, a bellows pad wouldn't solve the problem.



>> I came across a post which suggested a third party backstrap

I modified the bottom connections on the Roland shoulder straps a la Neotech Accordion Harness.

I also added a back strap.

 

[Dingo40]

My wife kindly sewed up some slip-on "gaiters " cut out from the part of a pair of men's socks that normally fits over the ankles . These can be slipped over all the shoulder strap buckles etc that could damage your bellows.
The ones she made for me are still working 30 years later.

 

[CC_PDX]

Tell Liberty Bellows what you are buying it for and they will send you an appropriate one. It is a basic nylon and foam protector and comes with the hook and loop adhesive strips for you to mount it. I'm a fan for protecting the bellows from buttons, zippers, etc. I also use the "posh" leather / Velcro buckle wraps on some of my boxes so I don't have to be so fastidious when putting them into or taking out of a case.

 

[Chris Laarman]

I had never heard of back pads, but I'm still new to accordions.

Visiting Liberty Bellows had me find Fuselli. However, I added back pads to my wishlist at Thomann.

Thank you, all involved in this thread.

 

[Chat Haddock]

Although I've been playing (means: "learning") on a FR-1x for only less than two years the bellows starts to show signs of wear. I think I'm careful and choose clothings without zippers or buttons but it happened anyway.
I think the wear comes from the left shoulder straps which thouches the bellows at the bottom before it goes around to my back. :-(

On the back of the treble keyboard casing there are 4 kind of preprinted holes, 2 at the corners, 2 where the keyboard's body part matches the bellows' part. So I thought that these are meant to screw in some snap fastener to then attach a (standard) bellows protector.

My music shop says Roland doesn't offer any bellows protector or necassary parts for the FR-1x.

Any thoughts on this?

If you attach the right shoulder strap on the left side and the left shoulder strap on the right on the bottom fitting ie, cross them, the right strap pulls the left strap away from the bellows when you play your accordion. I do the same, got the tip it in an old accordion book.

 

[Chris Laarman]

I had never heard of back pads, but I'm still new to accordions.

Visiting Liberty Bellows had me find Fuselli. However, I added back pads to my wishlist at Thomann.

Thank you, all involved in this thread.

I had my pads delivered, but they are on their way back to Thomann.

As far as I could see, the pad for 72 bass keys wouldn't (snugly) fit my Roland FR-1xb, and the pad for 120 bass keys wouldn't (snugly) fit my 120 bass Startone (house brand of Thomann). Moreover, I'm not yet prepared to drive screws into my instruments, and definitely not without any "installation manual", however compact.

Note: the pads from padded nylon did look useable, and the screws were included.

 

[Airy]

I had my pads delivered, but they are on their way back to Thomann.

As far as I could see, the pad for 72 bass keys wouldn't (snugly) fit my Roland FR-1xb, and the pad for 120 bass keys wouldn't (snugly) fit my 120 bass Startone (house brand of Thomann). Moreover, I'm not yet prepared to drive screws into my instruments, and definitely not without any "installation manual", however compact.

Note: the pads from padded nylon did look useable, and the screws were included.

@Chris Laarman
Did you consider making your own which may then fit perfectly?
See the following post #18 for instructions:

Where can I get a back pad/ bellows protector?

Can I buy an fit one of these myself and if so where from? Or do I have to take to a dealer/retailer to have fitted (there's nothing near me in S Wales)?

www.accordionists.info

I have the same feeling about (not) drilling holes into my FR1x, especially because there already seem to be 4 pre-drilled holes on the back. Albeit the positions of the two inner mounting points are kind of in an unusual place: they are not as close to the bellows as usual because of the battery compartment. This may result in a less perfect stability of any mounted pad.

 

[pentaprism]

Good luck with finding the bellows pad the "fits perfectly." I was lucky to find one that matched 2 out of 4 default positions.

I could use velcro tape, but would rather use the snaps.

 

[Chris Laarman]

@Chris Laarman
Did you consider making your own which may then fit perfectly?
See the following post #18 for instructions:

Where can I get a back pad/ bellows protector?

Can I buy an fit one of these myself and if so where from? Or do I have to take to a dealer/retailer to have fitted (there's nothing near me in S Wales)?

www.accordionists.info

I have the same feeling about (not) drilling holes into my FR1x, especially because there already seem to be 4 pre-drilled holes on the back. Albeit the positions of the two inner mounting points are kind of in an unusual place: they are not as close to the bellows as usual because of the battery compartment. This may result in a less perfect stability of any mounted pad.

I have canceled the idea of back pads for the time being. Wearing an apron might also do the trick.

 

[Chris Laarman]

Good luck with finding the bellows pad the "fits perfectly." I was lucky to find one that matched 2 out of 4 default positions.

I could use velcro tape, but would rather use the snaps.

The notion of velcro played a role in my decision to return my back pads. But, as I replied to Airy: wearing an apron might do the trick as well.

 

[Chat Haddock]

Just attach the right shoulder strap on the left side and the left shoulder strap on the right on the bottom fitting ie, cross them, the right strap pulls the left strap away from the bellows when you play your accordion. It works fine, no need to wear an apron. I got the tip it in an old accordion book, the problem has always been around.

 

[Chris Laarman]

Just attach the right shoulder strap on the left side and the left shoulder strap on the right on the bottom fitting ie, cross them, the right strap pulls the left strap away from the bellows when you play your accordion. It works fine, no need to wear an apron. I got the tip it in an old accordion book, the problem has always been around.

Thank you, Chat! - I'll try to remember that.