Roland FR-8X and EVO Bugari Haria P41 Luxury Model Recommendations

[John K]

I have been a professional accordion player for over 40 years having in-dept playing experience with cordovox, Farfisa, I'Orio and Scandalli midi and electronic accordions.

I am reviewing the EVO/Bugari and the Roland FR-8X for purchase at this time and would like any recommendations, positives or negatives from any oe that has experience playing with both. Also if anyone has used exterior sound modules with either of these instruments such as the Keytron products how well they work

John K

 

[JIM D.]

Hi John and Welcome:
I've been playing professionally for 50+ years now and have owned & played models of the Cordovox , the late model Farfisa and MiDi
equipped acoustic accordions I've converted.
I have owned models of Roland "V" accordions since 2005 and have been repairing them since 2008.
Since my extensive experience with Roland , some will take my comments as prejudice, but I assure they are the "Straight Skinny".
First of all, the Evo models have the same Roland supplied electronics as an 8x with some minor bells & whistles missing as Roland provides
the electronics and purposely omitted some (Their not stupid).
The basic differences in the two is that the 8x has a plastic body and the Evo has a wooden frame.
They both have the keyboard type bass machine but unlike the 8x that has a keyboard type treble section the Evo uses an acoustic
style treble keyboard with mechanical keys, rods, pallets & leathers to provide air flow to the bellows. The 8x treble keyboard uses
electronic pressure to provide air flow to the bellows and is adjustable.
For a first time Roland owner the electronic keyboard takes some getting used to as the Evo's keyboard will feel the same as an acoustic.
The Pros --
The Evo can be had with many different painted color combinations while the 8x only comes in black & red.
Many accordionists will tend to prefer the feel of the wooden body of the Evo's vibrations while performing.

The Con's --
Prepare to pay $2000.00 more for an Evo model versus the price of an 8x.
Here in the US there are very few Evo dealers to provide service & repair.
The Evo's mechanical treble keyboard in time will require the same maintenance as an acoustic.
The Evo has the same battery as the 8x but the 8x battery can be accessed from a panel in the rear of the body - The Evo has to be
disassembled to remove the battery.
If you are a previous acoustic player the Evo's treble keyboard will feel the same whereas the 8x's keyboard will take some
getting used to.
If you have performed with any of the older electronic accordions or keyboards the 8x's keyboard will feel much the same.

As for the use of expanders like the Kentron, both models will preform the same as any MiDi equipped accordion.

I see your in CT. You might giving Sam Falcetti of Falcetti Music a call for an enjoyable sit down demo of an 8x. 1-413-204-5522 You can also try out a 4x , you never know it might suit you also. Tell him Jim sent you.

 

[pentaprism]

Thanks, Jim.

"The Evo has the same battery as the 8x but the 8x battery can be accessed from a panel in the rear of the body - The Evo has to be
disassembled to remove the battery."

I'm not buying any accordion. But if I were, this alone would immediately eliminate the Evo as a potential candidate.

 

[John K]

Thanks Jim for your informative response. I am very familiar with your recommendation source for purchasing a FR-8X It is less than 15 miles from me. and would be very convenient Unfortunately we have never been able to come to terms resulting in a transaction. Excellent company, especially when it comes to teaching students how to play the accordion.

 

[John K]

Jim D:

Are you familiar with the VIVO wireless accordion manufactured by Siwa/Figli and if so what comments can you offer. I appears to be somewhat similar to the Scandalli Electronic wireless accordion I already have.

Also, I have a Ketron X-4 module. Do uou thinik it would work well with FR-8X. Trying to downsize but still have the effects of a one man band.

 

[JIM D.]

I've had no experience with the VIVO.

The Ketron will perform just as it does with any MiDi equipped instrument.

 

[John K]

Thanks Jim:

There is not much information out there to review. Thanks Jim and Jim for your input. I think the FR-8X will be my choice to pursue.

 

[JerryPH]

The FR-8X also has a greater range of freely available Roland sounds, the Evo comes with what it has and no more.
The FR-8X has a computer based editor that makes programming a pleasure and a breeze, this does not work for the Evo.
The FR-8X has the USB connector in the front, the EVO in the rear.
The FR-8X has velocity keys (press harder or softer on the keys for effects like note bending or volume), the EVO has it in the (super awkward) master switch bar (this is the main technical reason the keyboard feels better on the EVO, it loses functionality).

The FR-8x is still supported by Roland and they have locations across the USA and Canada. The makers of the EVO have closed shop and moved on to other projects, though some support is available in ONE place on earth... apparently at USA Petosa head office, the only dealer for the EVO in North America is going to help you out... *if* they have the parts, which is highly unlikely.

Yes, the EVO looks *way* better and has a much faster right hand keyboard (left hand is identical to the 8X)... but you lose a TON of functionality and pay a TON of money more for it.

There are many other reasons I do not like the EVO, mostly because of the people that used to run it, and how they ran it... they were a weak sauce company from day 1 to the day they closed shop and screwed their clients over. The origin of the EVO is basically a greatly reduced feature set version of the 8X.

That said, one of my best friends owns an EVO and is quite happy with it, so who am I to say anything.

 

[JerryPH]

Also, I have a Ketron X-4 module. Do uou thinik it would work well with FR-8X. Trying to downsize but still have the effects of a one man band.

It works perfectly well with the 8X. MIDI is MIDI and all you need to really do is set the MIDI channels on the X4 for the functionality that you want "activated" on the X4 when in use with the 8X. In my scenario, the 8X is for all accordion sounds and the X4 is for rhythm and accompaniment, I don't use any of the X4 sounds on the right hand... but its SUPER easy to do.

I also own an X4 and use it now and then, but I also own a Roland BK-7m. Love the sounds on the X4, love the size/weight and integration of the BK-7m, each has pros and cons that near perfectly balance out.

 

[lasvegascolonel]

The FR-8X also has a greater range of freely available Roland sounds, the Evo comes with what it has and no more.
The FR-8X has a computer based editor that makes programming a pleasure and a breeze, this does not work for the Evo.
The FR-8X has the USB connector in the front, the EVO in the rear.
The FR-8X has velocity keys (press harder or softer on the keys for effects like note bending or volume), the EVO has it in the (super awkward) master switch bar (this is the main technical reason the keyboard feels better on the EVO, it loses functionality).

The FR-8x is still supported by Roland and they have locations across the USA and Canada. The makers of the EVO have closed shop and moved on to other projects, though some support is available in ONE place on earth... apparently at USA Petosa head office, the only dealer for the EVO in North America is going to help you out... *if* they have the parts, which is highly unlikely.

Yes, the EVO looks *way* better and has a much faster right hand keyboard (left hand is identical to the 8X)... but you lose a TON of functionality and pay a TON of money more for it.

There are many other reasons I do not like the EVO, mostly because of the people that used to run it, and how they ran it... they were a weak sauce company from day 1 to the day they closed shop and screwed their clients over. The origin of the EVO is basically a greatly reduced feature set version of the 8X.

That said, one of my best friends owns an EVO and is quite happy with it, so who am I to say anything.

Thanks for the input. For many of us, the EVO seemed tempting, but your and Jim D's information has helped make the decision easier.

 

[lasvegascolonel]

Hi John and Welcome:
I've been playing professionally for 50+ years now and have owned & played models of the Cordovox , the late model Farfisa and MiDi
equipped acoustic accordions I've converted.
I have owned models of Roland "V" accordions since 2005 and have been repairing them since 2008.
Since my extensive experience with Roland , some will take my comments as prejudice, but I assure they are the "Straight Skinny".
First of all, the Evo models have the same Roland supplied electronics as an 8x with some minor bells & whistles missing as Roland provides
the electronics and purposely omitted some (Their not stupid).
The basic differences in the two is that the 8x has a plastic body and the Evo has a wooden frame.
They both have the keyboard type bass machine but unlike the 8x that has a keyboard type treble section the Evo uses an acoustic
style treble keyboard with mechanical keys, rods, pallets & leathers to provide air flow to the bellows. The 8x treble keyboard uses
electronic pressure to provide air flow to the bellows and is adjustable.
For a first time Roland owner the electronic keyboard takes some getting used to as the Evo's keyboard will feel the same as an acoustic.
The Pros --
The Evo can be had with many different painted color combinations while the 8x only comes in black.
Many accordionists will tend to prefer the feel of the wooden body of the Evo's vibrations while performing.

The Con's --
Prepare to pay $2000.00 more for an Evo model versus the price of an 8x.
Here in the US there are very few Evo dealers to provide service & repair.
The Evo's mechanical treble keyboard in time will require the same maintenance as an acoustic.
The Evo has the same battery as the 8x but the 8x battery can be accessed from a panel in the rear of the body - The Evo has to be
disassembled to remove the battery.
If you are a previous acoustic player the Evo's treble keyboard will feel the same whereas the 8x's keyboard will take some
getting used to.
If you have performed with any of the older electronic accordions or keyboards the 8x's keyboard will feel much the same.

As for the use of expanders like the Kentron, both models will preform the same as any MiDi equipped accordion.

I see your in CT. You might giving Sam Falcetti of Falcetti Music a call for an enjoyable sit down demo of an 8x. 1-413-204-5522 You can also try out a 4x , you never know it might suit you also. Tell him Jim sent you.

Thanks so much, Jim. I've been off the forum for awhile but always trust your judgment on the Roland accordion. Those issues you cite make it clear to me which one I would look at.

 

[oldbayan]

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