Roland V-Accordion review
From
ciao_accordion@21:1/5 to
All on Thu Oct 26 06:56:54 2017
10 years since i reviewed the FR7 FR5 models
and then helped introduce them for Roland
during a Coupe Mondiale event here in
Alexandria VA. (USA)
now with the perspective of Time it is
interesting to think on what the Roland
impact to the world of Accordions has been.
also interesting to note the unfortunately poor
level of support the company gave their product,
and their European operations in general.
First of all, the good news is that older
models of the V-Accordion are typically
available at very low prices for anyone
interested in experimenting
this must be tempered with the reality that
each model has it's "achillies" point, which
can turn your Roland Accordion into a doorstop.
FR-3 and 3x models are typically seen below $2000
often closer to $1200-1500 .. but the weak bass strap
mounting and plastic is difficult to repair.. in addition
the power socket is complex (with an internal switch)
and prone to breaking. That said, the FR3 series easily
interfaces with MIDI gear, does not suffer from the
falsebottom of other models aftertouch keyboard,
uses conventional batteries, and has some truly
excellent French Accordion voicings
FR-7 models can be seen as low as $1500,
and are the most reliable by far of all the full sized
V-Accordions. They are limited in function but do not
suffer the bellows balance calibration problems and
other nagging little software issues of later models.
FR-7x are often seen as low as $2500, but also suffer
from the dreaded lines on the viewscreen which
progressively worsen (and for which there is no cure)
so although the model does offer a truly improved
key-action, better matched audio output levels
(now any wireless can be used) and the USB
playport (for playback of MP3 accompaniments)
replacement Viewscreen modules are NO LONGER AVAILABLE
for the FR7x, which means ONCE YOU SCREEN becomes
unreadable, if you have not memorized your programming
and switching scheme, the accordion will be rendered
unplayable (for professional use)
the 7, 5, and 7x models all share the old BoatAnchor
power supply... it must be noted that there is a
critical component (the actual power supply internal
switching board module) that occasionally fails, and
for which NO REPLACEMENT PARTS are available.
(nor ever will be... Roland USA had been butchering
new stock for replacement parts to service warranties
even before the models were discontinued)
support for repair has worsened as well, now that
current Roland USA management has declared a policy
of ONLY PROVIDING REPLACEMENT PARTS through authorized
Roland Repair centers... so outside of occasional
availability of the FR-7/8 battery pack at the accessories
online store, for most people and most situations any
failure of a critical component will render these devices
mute and useless (except as funeral urns, and other
objects D'Art)
personally, i owe a great debt to Iketuro Kakehashi and his
old friend and rival Kotoh for their pioneering products
which fueled MY Midi-mad race to escape the confines of
my Cordovox infused Rock n Roll youth... i miss them now they
are gone, and am saddened to see that, while Korg remains
refreshingly true to their history and roots, Roland has pretty much
walked away from their legacy as quickly as they could
since taking the company private
In conclusion, if you have always wanted to try a Roland,
prices will likely continue to drop, so even if you only
get 5 years or so before it dies it is not that much money
to throw away on a lark (compared to original prices)
final note, i would steer clear of the 8 series models
with the ridiculous and problematic stepper motor
controlled bellows... my information is that fully
1/3 of the model run has been butchered for parts
to service the incredible failure rate
European markets have some additional resources with the old
Gwerder (fr-3 in disguise) and now the EVO Bugari
involvement, as well as far more independent and robust
Repair and Servicing support available in England
Ciao
Ventura
(i currently enjoy a white FR-3 and white FR-7x as well
as my Excelsior Midivox units and the old Cordovox
with midi adapter in my electronic accordion arsenal)
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