Roland FR-8x vs. Bugari EVO Haria P41

[Keymn]

I often play at full volume, never heard my 8X distort even with heavy/deep bass and drum effects, not even sure how I would do it on purpose, but Id not want to of course... lol

As far as setting up the EQ, a LOT depends on intended use. For public playing ideally one needs a different EQ based on location for best sound and what ever PA or sound system they or you are using. When recording, one wants as flat an EQ as possible because we will be adjusting this in the mix. If you are just playing/practicing in the basement or other room in the house, adjust it to whatever settings sound best to your ears.

I think the point of the Bugari is to get closer to an acoustic accordion sound. Sounds to me the construction of the box might be the improvement.

 

[Alan Sharkis]

On another topic, you seem to like the Richard Noel sets. Ive seen sets demod by, and produced by Dale Mathis as well, and I was wondering how you feel about those?

Well, to start off, the Dale Mathis sets are not available anywhere at any price... except if you buy an 8X through him and the store he works through.

That said, as far as overall quality, Id still give the nod to the RIchard Noel sets. Not only does he have a lot more and varied sounds, hes spent more time developing his sets. I believe that Richard Noel has been around longer and has more experience with programming the Roland V-Accordions.

This is not to say that the Dale Mathis sounds are bad, because they *are* very nice. I still feel that the Noel sets are more general, with greater variety and versatility, and they make a better place to start off with, even if one could buy the Mathis sets at the same price.

I suspected as much.

Alan

 

[Keymn]

On another topic, you seem to like the Richard Noel sets. Ive seen sets demod by, and produced by Dale Mathis as well, and I was wondering how you feel about those?

Well, to start off, the Dale Mathis sets are not available anywhere at any price... except if you buy an 8X through him and the store he works through.

That said, as far as overall quality, Id still give the nod to the RIchard Noel sets. Not only does he have a lot more and varied sounds, hes spent more time developing his sets. I believe that Richard Noel has been around longer and has more experience with programming the Roland V-Accordions.

This is not to say that the Dale Mathis sounds are bad, because they *are* very nice. I still feel that the Noel sets are more general, with greater variety and versatility, and they make a better place to start off with, even if one could buy the Mathis sets at the same price.

I suspected as much.

Alan

I think we should be more genuine and start sharing our own unique sets. The fr’s Come equipped with very simple adjustments in my opinion...It just takes time. One register set at a time. No pressure on my part, kept my fr7 until I had my 4x adjusted.
What I would like to know, as stated before, does this Bugari sound good right out of the box without programming? Why is there a need for third party sets?

 

[Alan Sharkis]

Well, to start off, the Dale Mathis sets are not available anywhere at any price... except if you buy an 8X through him and the store he works through.

That said, as far as overall quality, Id still give the nod to the RIchard Noel sets. Not only does he have a lot more and varied sounds, hes spent more time developing his sets. I believe that Richard Noel has been around longer and has more experience with programming the Roland V-Accordions.

This is not to say that the Dale Mathis sounds are bad, because they *are* very nice. I still feel that the Noel sets are more general, with greater variety and versatility, and they make a better place to start off with, even if one could buy the Mathis sets at the same price.

I suspected as much.

Alan

I think we should be more genuine and start sharing our own unique sets. The fr’s Come equipped with very simple adjustments in my opinion...It just takes time. One register set at a time. No pressure on my part, kept my fr7 until I had my 4x adjusted.
What I would like to know, as stated before, does this Bugari sound good right out of the box without programming? Why is there a need for third party sets?

In my comparison of the EVO and the 8x, I mentioned that the EVO sounded less electronic than the 8x. In my mind, thats a major plus for the EVO. But sound quality, as you know, can be a very subjective thing. I can tell you the following:

1. My comparison lasted roughly an hour.
2. Both instruments were set to the same registration for the purpose of comparing them.
3. Both instruments were played through their internal speakers with roughly the same volume setting.
4. The chorus, delay, reverb and effect knobs on both instruments were set at center.
5. I couldnt tell if the dealer edited the one register used for comparisons on either or both accordions. He said that he
didnt.
6. The dealer demonstrated the other accordion registers on the EVO and stated that they were all set at the factory.
7. We didnt have time to listen to any of the orchestral sounds, or other accordion sounds in either instrument.

So, I have to draw the same conclusion as Jerry. The wooden case makes a difference in the sound, and in my humble opinion, gives the EVO an edge over the 8x.

If you ever have an opportunity to compare both, Id be interested in your opinion.

Alan

 

[Keymn]

I suspected as much.

Alan

I think we should be more genuine and start sharing our own unique sets. The fr’s Come equipped with very simple adjustments in my opinion...It just takes time. One register set at a time. No pressure on my part, kept my fr7 until I had my 4x adjusted.
What I would like to know, as stated before, does this Bugari sound good right out of the box without programming? Why is there a need for third party sets?

In my comparison of the EVO and the 8x, I mentioned that the EVO sounded less electronic than the 8x. In my mind, thats a major plus for the EVO. But sound quality, as you know, can be a very subjective thing. I can tell you the following:

1. My comparison lasted roughly an hour.
2. Both instruments were set to the same registration for the purpose of comparing them.
3. Both instruments were played through their internal speakers with roughly the same volume setting.
4. The chorus, delay, reverb and effect knobs on both instruments were set at center.
5. I couldnt tell if the dealer edited the one register used for comparisons on either or both accordions. He said that he
didnt.
6. The dealer demonstrated the other accordion registers on the EVO and stated that they were all set at the factory.
7. We didnt have time to listen to any of the orchestral sounds, or other accordion sounds in either instrument.

So, I have to draw the same conclusion as Jerry. The wooden case makes a difference in the sound, and in my humble opinion, gives the EVO an edge over the 8x.

If you ever have an opportunity to compare both, Id be interested in your opinion.

Alan

That is what I like to here. In my opinion, these accordions should sound good at factory setting with minimal tweaking. Yes, I agree the box structure has lots to do with it. In Phoenix, I probably won’t find one to try. Unless, Crown Music in Sun City is a distributor?

 

[Alan Sharkis]

[
[/quote]

That is what I like to here. In my opinion, these accordions should sound good at factory setting with minimal tweaking. Yes, I agree the box structure has lots to do with it. In Phoenix, I probably won’t find one to try. Unless, Crown Music in Sun City is a distributor?
[/quote]

As of this date, the ONLY distributor of the Bugari EVO accordions is Petosa in Lynnwood, WA, Also, bear these negatives, but true statements in mind:

1. The Bugari EVOs cannot accept sound set extensions and cannot connect to the Roland editor at this time. This might change in the fall, but there are no guarantees that it will change.

2. The EVOs have the thumb drive port on the back of the instrument underneath the backpad -- not on the treble grille.

3. In the rare event that the instrument need service, it would have to be shipped back to Petosa, A Roland service facility won't service it because it's a Bugari accordion, not a Roland accordion, even though it has the Roland electronics.

 

[JerryPH]

In my opinion, these accordions should sound good at factory setting with minimal tweaking. Yes, I agree the box structure has lots to do with it. In Phoenix, I probably won’t find one to try. Unless, Crown Music in Sun City is a distributor?

Nope, only Petosa is, that is the only place in North America to see/find/get one.

The big thing is that currently Bugari has no place for repair like Roland, and Roland USA has made it very clear that they wont touch an EVO. So if something goes wrong (and something *always* goes wrong eventually)... what are they going to do, ship to Petosa? Ship back to Japan or even ship back to Italy?? Are Petosa even authorized/trained to attack the Bugari? A very important question that every EVO owner or want to be owner should be asking.

As far as I am concerned, they all do sound good straight from the factory! However, there is so much potential locked up in there that it is impossible to showcase it all, and that is a good thing because that is where individual tastes, likes and needs come in to place. This is one of the biggest advantages that these accordions offer, especially after the expansions are installed.

Edit: Alan and I posted at almost the same time. :lol:

 

[Alan Sharkis]

In my opinion, these accordions should sound good at factory setting with minimal tweaking. Yes, I agree the box structure has lots to do with it. In Phoenix, I probably won’t find one to try. Unless, Crown Music in Sun City is a distributor?

Nope, only Petosa is, that is the only place in North America to see/find/get one.

The big thing is that currently Bugari has no place for repair like Roland, and Roland USA has made it very clear that they wont touch an EVO. So if something goes wrong (and something *always* goes wrong eventually)... what are they going to do, ship to Petosa? Ship back to Japan or even ship back to Italy?? Are Petosa even authorized/trained to attack the Bugari? A very important question that every EVO owner or want to be owner should be asking.

As far as I am concerned, they all do sound good straight from the factory! However, there is so much potential locked up in there that it is impossible to showcase it all, and that is a good thing because that is where individual tastes, likes and needs come in to place. This is one of the biggest advantages that these accordions offer, especially after the expansions are installed.

Edit: Alan and I posted at almost the same time. :lol:

Hello Jerry,

Shipping back to Petosa would be the only option if something goes wrong with an EVO at this time. I would trust Petosas reputation for repairs on acoustic accordions to fix any problems that arise on the mechanical end of an EVO. I dont know if Petosa was given authorization by Bugari to handle in-warranty repairs, but when you look at the fact that they service any acoustic accordion they take in on a trade-up, as well as new Giulietti accordions, their own brand (made according to their specs in the Zero Sette factory,) and several others that they sell, I would assume that they can handle problems in the mechanical end of the EVO.

As far as the Roland electronics in the EVO are concerned, Petosa is also a Roland dealer, so they should be able to service that as well. However, in their experience, theyve seen almost no issues with those Roland electronics.

Still. if I were serious about buying an EVO from Petosa now, Id first have to ask them if Bugari authorized them to do service on the EVO to avoid any possibility that theyd accept an EVO for service and then have to ship it to Italy or to another Roland service facility.


Alan