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Roland FR-8x & FR-8xb

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Hi Jim,
I'm looking to buy a Roland so I can play in the middle of the night so I don't wake up all the neighbours! I was recommended the Roland FR2 because it was the last one made without internal speakers, and therefore the lightest. I wondered what your advice would be. When they stopped making them a couple of years ago, the local store had them on for $899! I wonder how much a used one would be now, do you have any for sale?
 
I went to Rolands website and it seems like the FR2 is still being made, so I guess that answers my question. The local store had told me that they had been discontinued, which was odd because they sell Rolands. Any comments about the FR2 as a choice compared to the other models would be appreciated.

Thanks.

Nathen
 
Production of the FR-2 stopped some time ago. Of all the Roland models produced over the years there are three I don't recommend. The FR-5, FR-2 and FR-1. The models that are currant now are FR-1x ,FR-3x and FR-8x . JIM D.
 
Thanks Jim,
I talked with a local professional accordionist who has an FR2, and really likes it. he has back problems and likes the fact that it only weighs 10 lbs. It seems like the others are heavier. I was wondering what you think are the drawbacks of this model.

I like the idea of a light electric box that you can play dry or wet at a touch. What would you recommend?

Thanks Jim for your imput on this. Getting into electrical instruments can be quite daunting with the choices available. I have a Roland keyboard that I'm happy with.

Nathen
 
It looks like the 3x would be a logical next choice up from the fr2 at 16 lbs. The 1x only starts at B, and I like the Lower G. I noticed that others have the fr2 and 3x. I appreciate any personal observation on these, as it's quite an investment to step into.

Thanks.
 
I'm afraid you won't see any more "V" accordion models made without speakers. Over the years we stocked some FR-1,2,and 5 models and found they sat on the shelf's for long periods gathering dust. In the end they were sold for reduced prices to get rid of them. A "V" accordion without speakers does not vibrate on your chest and has an empty feeling. Also if you wish to perform with them you have to drag along an amplifier. The best bet for your buck at this time is a used FR-3&3b or FR-7&7b. JIM D.
 
Nathen, Rolands with internal speakers can still be played silently using head phones. About 4 years ago I had a Roland FR 3S which I used for that purpose. But I sold it because of the stiff bellows. It can also be used not using the bellows. I read there has been an improvement to the sensitivity of the bellows on the new X series but don't know if the bellows stiffness has been sorted out, otherwise I would consider buying one. Some people don't mind the stiffness but there are those that do.
 
Thanks for the advice, I found it really helpful. I did 'test drive' one and I thoughts the bellows felt fine for me.

Jim, your comment about feeling the vibration of the sounds in your body was the clincher. I would really miss that. After all, the sounds, and feeling them, are an extension of your whole musical expression. Plus, a projection of how you are feeling at any given moment.

Thanks again guys.

Nathen.
 
I also play and teach bluegrass banjo. The vibration from the resonator can be felt in the body. I wonder if like the Roland if it could be therapeutic. http://www.motleyminstrels.co.uk
 
That's interesting Bill seeing as you and I are the same vintage! I grew up in SW London where I started on the piano. When I came to Canada in 1965 I learnt to play bluegrass banjo, and 5 string long neck folk banjo as well, Peter Seeger style. Not to mention trying to copy The Kingston Trio who were really all the rage then. In the seventies I was in a folk band here for a short while. I moved on to the piano accordion for a couple of years and have just got back to it after many years on the piano.

The Roland Vx models have a bellows adjuster for changing how tight or loose you want it. Because I've dabbled in a lots of instuments, the Roland seems to satisfy my need to experience different sounds. Just watching Richard Noel on Youtube has convinced me to get a Roland. All I need now is the cash!

Cheers,

Nathen
 
Yes, I could do with the cash too. The problem of buying what you really want, is that it leaves you broke afterwards. So choosing becomes an exact science to avoid any regret. I started on piano too as a boy, then bluegrass banjo. Four years ago I started on accordion. I am retired now and only use the banjo for teaching to help with the governments miserly pension. Now and then I think I would like a Roland because of the versatility of of various instruments and effects but the experience of stiff bellows on a Roland 3S makes me feel uncertain, not knowing if the new Roland X serious have really improved on the bellows stiffness, and feeling broke after buying is a major consideration for a pensioner. Also my wife says I already have two accordions, what do I need another one for ?
 
If I can put in my 2 cents here. (too bad I am doing it anyways...)

I own the 3x and have never really been able to come to grips with the bellows.

They are stiff, however after hanging it by the straps with the bellows unstrapped they are no longer stiffer out than in.
The adjustment knob is nothing more than an annoyance for me, it just allows more or less of a hiss right by your ear. There are some additional settings to adjust the bellows that help, and can even turn off the bellows and just play at a fixed volume.

The thing that helps me is to not think of the bellows as traditional bellows, but as an expression pedal. The 3x will never play like a traditional accordion, but then what fun would that be.

I do enjoy owning one, but I probably would not buy one again. (I prefer the vibration of the reeds against my chest)
Ben
 
Jim, you mentioned the Rolands that you get in your store, so I looked for your store online to see what you had for sale but couldn't find it. Do you have a website for your store? You've been so helpful on this forum that I thought when the time (and money!) came I'd buy one from you. I have a US postbox.

Thanks for the great info on Rolands. I especially like Richard Noel's used of the sax on his Roland. My favorite tune when I played the clarinet and soprano sax was ' Petit Fleur'. I'd love to try that on a Roland.

I do sometimes miss the different instruments I've played. However, I can only play one at a time, but with a Roland 'I can have my cake and eat it!' Plus, I'd still have my other accordions to play when I needed and accoustic feel.

Nathen
 
THE FISARMONICA SHOP is my home business where I do repairing, rebuilding, and make custom musical instrument cases. I am also the accordion repair tech for a local 50+ year old musical shop were I work on and sell Roland products. The website is http://www.falcettimusic.com -- JIM D.
 
I just went to the local music store where I've bought and sold a couple of accordions, and lo and behold, they have a used Roland Fr-3S for sale. Just like the one you had Bill. I could get it for under $1000. With your experience dealing with Rolands in the US Don, how does this price strike you? I'm sure there isn't that much price difference between Rolands in the US and Canada.

It's rare to find used Roland accordions here so this would get me started in being able to practise right away. Plus it's in my budget. Yes the bellows are stiffer, but they are used differently than an accoustic. I'm told it's just another technique that has to be learnt. I was wondering what, if any, disadvantages I might be looking at with this particular model. Not that I have any alteratives at the moment.

I would welcome any positive feedback about this model.

Thanks.

nathen
 
I just found the post by Johnathan in May where he sold his Fr3S, and your post Don of what they are going for here. That's it, I'm going to get it tomorrow, it's my Christmas present!

Cheers

nathen
 
nathen said:
I just found the post by Johnathan in May where he sold his Fr3S, and your post Don of what they are going for here. Thats it, Im going to get it tomorrow, its my Christmas present!nathen
Click to expand...
Happy Christmas with your new Roland. :)
 
Thanks Glenn,

I went down to the store on Christmas Eve and bought it, thanks mainly to my beautiful wife who encouraged me to get it. Yes, she really is my Christmas Angel.

The manager marked it down from $1250 to $985! He said they originally sold it to the customer new and he brought it back to trade in for a new FR3x. So they had already made their profit on both accordions. They were happy to get back what they had given him as a trade in.

I absolutely love it. It's in mint condition, plus the bellows have been loosened up for me. I spent the first four Uuuuu hours learning the owners manual which with a lot of perseverance I mastered. I went to the parameters program and changed the belows curve to extra light which works best for me.

I got up last night at 2am because I couldn't sleep, I think it had something to do with the vast amounts of alcohol I had consumed at my daughters! And there on the table was my New Roland. I played for an hour and then slept like a baby.
 
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