Thoughts & Experiences About the Roland FR-1v

[John M]

I don't know the reason for the discrepancies in the weight. Other than a few items (keyboard,etc.) the Evo is an 8X through & through. Maybe Petosa is S-T-R-E- T-C-H-I-N-G the weight downward a little.

 

[JerryPH]

Well, they are using a different keyboard setup, removing features and such. Also it is (in terms of R&D). Easier to correct someone else’s design than design from the ground up.

 

[John M]

You've got that right. "Plowing New Ground" is tough. Copying is easy.

 

[Gatorcheesehead]

From the little searching I've done, it seems like aa lot of digital accordions come with the soft gig bags and not hard cases.
Is this accurate?
Is there a reason for this?
Are there any issues/concerns with using a hard case for digital accordion?

 

[John M]

I replaced the soft case with a hard case on my Roland 8X. It's great. It is more protective than the soft bag and I have plenty of room for sheet music, music stand, Bose mixer, audio cables, etc.

 

[Valski]

From the little searching I've done, it seems like aa lot of digital accordions come with the soft gig bags and not hard cases.
Is this accurate?
Is there a reason for this?
Are there any issues/concerns with using a hard case for digital accordion?

Accordion cases are a matter of convenience. Soft cases are currently popular because they suit different accordions more readily than hard cases so they seem to be offered more frequently at present. There's no reason why you can't use a hard case as long as the instrument fits inside. Perhaps you might want to add some extra padding inside to hold your accordion more securely because you also don't want it to flop around inside the case. Since there are fewer accordion dealers these days than there were years ago, I haven't seen a huge selection of cases on offer.

I have the Fr8x and the soft case works fine but have considered purchasing a custom made heavy duty case with wheels, similar to cases used by touring musicians, however so far there hasn't been any pressing need.

 

[Gatorcheesehead]

Accordion cases are a matter of convenience. Soft cases are currently popular because they suit different accordions more readily than hard cases so they seem to be offered more frequently at present. There's no reason why you can't use a hard case as long as the instrument fits inside. Perhaps you might want to add some extra padding inside to hold your accordion more securely because you also don't want it to flop around inside the case. Since there are fewer accordion dealers these days than there were years ago, I haven't seen a huge selection of cases on offer.

I have the Fr8x and the soft case works fine but have considered purchasing a custom made heavy duty case with wheels, similar to cases used by touring musicians, however so far there hasn't been any pressing need.

Thank you! Very helpful insights. I haven't seen many new hard cases...just a lot of used ones. I was also thinking of the padding idea, so great to have it confirmed.

 

[Gatorcheesehead]

I replaced the soft case with a hard case on my Roland 8X. It's great. It is more protective than the soft bag and I have plenty of room for sheet music, music stand, Bose mixer, audio cables, etc.

Fantastic. Thank you! I think I might go the hard case route. I just feel a lot safer with hard cases.

 

[Valski]

Fantastic. Thank you! I think I might go the hard case route. I just feel a lot safer with hard cases.

Several years ago I had a custom hard case made to fit my Bk7m and mixer because it was a nuisance carrying around multiple seperate devices and the box has special foam inside to cradle those devices securely. The price was very reasonable and the quality high, although this case is quite heavy on its own because it's very robust.

 

[Sandy Flett]

Anybody know where I could try an FR-1x within reasonable distance of Taunton in Somerset? The only dealer I have found so far is Allodi Accordions in South East London, a 4 hour drive for me (and even he is awaiting a long delayed order of FR-1xs). The Roland Shop in Bristol does not keep any in stock, and could only offer to order one for me - ie no try before buy.

 

[Ventura]

trying it isn't really that important

acoustic accordions.. every one is different.. need to try
before you buy.. sure

every brand new FR1x is exactly the same as every other brand new FR1x

the decision is whether or not you wanna give a Digital accordion a shot
in your life period, and actually you can only answer that after a few months
of having one

if you have the discretionary money to get in the game, the worst thing
that happens is you decide to sell it, and since it is easy to sell no big loss..

this does not apply as easily in the USA where the Roland Warranty is not transferrable

might as well place the order and get in the que before another 10 people get into line
ahead of you

 

[Sandy Flett]

You make some very valid points, Ventura, thank you.

 

[Mockie]

Good man @John M, you love your FR8X and I respect that. However, is the FR8X too heavy? Well, I suppose it depends on your perspective. I will give an opinion, but I don't want to be harsh in any way or seem unfair - really, there are a lot of things to like about the Roland accordions. I know a few members here who love the Roland accordions dearly, and I appreciate their decisions to buy what they like, and like what they buy, without hearing me criticise their choices. I trust their judgement and I am sure they will be good products. I too would have a digital accordion, but I look for different things than what Roland is content to give us... For me, there is an optimum weight and dimensions for a piano accordion. I personally like 41/120 (or at a minimum 37/120) with 4 voice and double cassotto. However, I do not like instruments that have great dimensional 'depth'. I am baffled by the depth figure that Roland quotes on their website, 28cm? What did they use to measure the accordion - a trundle wheel. Maybe someone can share the correct dimensions for my benefit. To me the golden number is around 19cm to 19.5cm depth for a sleek, well designed traditional accordion. Five voice instruments and chromatic converter accordions all tend to be at least 2.5cm deeper. I believe this affects the centre of gravity of the instrument and the accordion sits up on itself rather than laying into the musician. Secondly, weight. To me a traditional standard bass 41/120 should really be less than 12kg (not a fan of the square and chunky Excelsior Symphony Gold). I would even say that many of the great Titano and Victorias with quint converters in the olden days were often pretty close to the 19.5cm/20cm depth and often hovering under the 12kg mark. That's simply great design to me. However, accordions are getting bigger as bass mechanisms and instruments with larger note ranges need to be accomodated. Not my thing at all! But why is a digital accordion as heavy as one made from wood, metal, celluloid and all the other goodies?

I feel that right now the digital accordion companies take their digital accordionists for granted. Technology changes quickly these days, but not when it's inside an accordion. Now, according to Roland the FR8X weighs 12.1kg for their 41 key and 120 bass accordion. Now, that's not terrible but it is heavier than a vintage Hohner Gola 414. The Gola 414 weighs-in at a bit over 11kg. However, what's inside a Gola? Well the casing is made from a ply of aged mahogany and spruce. The reed blocks are made from a combination of spruce and highly varnished black walnut. The hundreds of steel reeds inside the accordion are of a quality that has never been matched in the history of accordion building. Bellows frames are solid walnut. The keyboard base is made from walnut and it has an aluminium mute-box behind the grill. Parts of the grill and the bass couplers are gold-plated. The whole instrument is covered in highly polished celluloid, a material that's rarely used nowadays on anything other than accordions and a few other bits and pieces, but celluloid really has a wonderful lustre to it! That's even before we talk about the mechanics. Also, the dimensions are as important as the weight, especially the depth that is 19.5cm. When you hold a Gola 414 or a Super VI or a classic Excelsior, Sonola, Titano, Victoria, or modern Beltuna, Bugari or Pigini you are playing an instrument of great substance and sleek design.

Yet the Roland FR8X, why is the technologically advanced option so heavy? Surely modern tech is getting smaller, lighter and more capable? But no, not on accordions. Where is the weight coming from? The case and keys are plastic, not made of hard-wood and topped with celluloid and lucite like good modern accordions. No doubt the FR8X is loaded with computer components, microchips, sensors, wiring and speakers. Maybe, this is all top notch, cutting edge 2023 stuff? Old tech usually gets cheaper with time, but seemingly not on a digital accordion.

I shudder at where the multinational corporations are going... Roland feeds us what they decide and we have to either accept it and believe it is the best thing since pressed beetroot juice, or wait for them to slowly evolve their product. I don't mind the sounds, some are really nice. I like the piano, and some of the organ and orchestal sounds, they can be quite pleasant. As for the Scrooge McDuck bagpipes that the occasional American Youtuber likes to use to make Scottish people cringe - the less said about that the better.

I remain ever hopeful that one day there will be a digital instrument with uncluttered design, high quality plastics, maybe with a quality keyboard. But regardless, they should really be lighter than 12kg. Is that too much to ask? Maybe one day Roland will surprise me.​

I wish reply to your mammoth post. A lot there to digest and know doubt you seem to know a lot more about about the structure of acoustic accordions than I do. You are also critical though of the Roland accordion and the Roland corporation developments etc. I have 3 piano accordions , a Ballone Burini 37/96 musette tuned by Rolston of Stirling Scotland. An old Excelsior 41/120 double octave great instrument. Finally I have a Roland FR8X and I just love it. I just play the accordion sounds. I bought top notch accordion sounds from the Netherlands and I'm blown away with them. Anywhere I play the listeners rave about the French musette sounds as well Bandoneon etc. It's heavy yes, and it's a sit down job, but I don't see that as a problem as I have got use to it now .I have to say that I love it to bits. I still play the acoustics now and then.

 

[Walker]

Hi Mockie, thanks for your reply.

I am relieved that someone has considered that the FR8 (at around 12.1kg) is maybe just a little bit on the heavy side. Loyalty is a wonderful thing but it's also nice to be able to see others views too. Thanks for that.

Perhaps on hindsight a direct comparison between a handmade acoustic accordion and an FR8 was not the best way to illustrate the point that the FR8 is heavy (compared to one made of walnut, mahogany and steel). I should have compared the FR8 only to other digitals like the Evo or the FR4 to avoid the possibility that someone would construe this as an acoustic vs. digital debate, honestly it's not.

However, my view has not really changed (yet), the only digital accordion I would consider is an FR4. The reason why is that I play Scottish traditional and some Irish/country/folk music and never get close to using the high A. I would not miss the 4 extra notes on an FR8 as the weight saving for the FR4 (at 8.9kg) is... mammoth.

​

 

[saundersbp]

Anybody know where I could try an FR-1x within reasonable distance of Taunton in Somerset?

I hope someone will lend you one. Is it just Yorkshire where people lend things???!
I was kindly lent a few acoustic accordions before deciding to get one. Also I was lent a Roland for two weeks which was very helpful in deciding never to buy one!

 

[Tom]

I agree with Walker and went for the Fr4 (with the Dale Mathis sounds). Someday I'll probably check out the Richard Noel sounds too. I like putting on a (woodwind) clarinet sound combined with a low reed accordion sound. It's pretty fun. Again, the volume control is awesome. I can actually play a backing track on my computer or phone, and play along on the accordion without using annoying headphones, all without bothering the people in the next room.

 

[Javthedog]

Anybody know where I could try an FR-1x within reasonable distance of Taunton in Somerset? The only dealer I have found so far is Allodi Accordions in South East London, a 4 hour drive for me (and even he is awaiting a long delayed order of FR-1xs). The Roland Shop in Bristol does not keep any in stock, and could only offer to order one for me - ie no try before buy.

Hmmmm - going to suggest you buy from Gear4Music........they seem to have a no-reason-return guarantee that is about a month long......possibly worth a look. I know we should be supporting "private/proper" shops, but you could buy from G4M, try it, return it and buy again from Allodi....

 

[Gatorcheesehead]

I agree with Walker and went for the Fr4 (with the Dale Mathis sounds). Someday I'll probably check out the Richard Noel sounds too. I like putting on a (woodwind) clarinet sound combined with a low reed accordion sound. It's pretty fun. Again, the volume control is awesome. I can actually play a backing track on my computer or phone, and play along on the accordion without using annoying headphones, all without bothering the people in the next room.

Hi Tom,
I have seen the Dale Mathis sounds mentioned. What kind of sounds are included?
Where could I find more info about the Richard Noel sounds?

 

[Sandy Flett]

Thanks for above responses.

 

[dunlustin]

"but you could buy...... "

NO