Roland FR-1X BK

Ideal for my needs

This instrument packs a big punch for its size. Ideal for stand up concert spots or 3 hour gigs of any sort. As a person who mainly uses my accordion through a Pa it is a dream to be able to just plug in a jack lead and away I go. No connecting up condenser mics and dealing with feed back etc. Can be powered with mains or battery. Played an outdoor gig recently and usually I would have problems if wind was blowing on accordion mic. No such problem now.

I also midi accordion through my Yamaha Tyros. With the Roland I have less midi cables and a more precise sound as I am not depending on built-in midi contacts in traditional accordion.

It is essential to set up this accordion to your liking and save the settings. Nice selection of Accordion sounds, Scottish Cajun etc and also various settings for bellows which gives you the real accordion feel. You would want to be technology savvy as if played out of the box you are unlikely to get setup you require. I got more than I expected with this instrument. If there is a downside, It could do with just a few more right hand keys in lower range on this model. The gap in price and size between Fr-1X and Fr-4x is probably too much. I think there was a market for a model in-between. Maybe 96 Bass or else a slightly bigger right hand on the 72 Bass. I bought this accordion as my back up box but have used it every gig since I purchased it 2 months ago. I think the reason you don't see more of these Roland accordions around is that people don't like taking the risk on such an expensive purchase. Because you don't know if its really for you until you have it for a few days. If you are someone in a band environment and maybe double on keyboard and accordion I definitely think it is work a try. If you are a traditional player who mainly plays acoustic at pub sessions or someone in a marching band it is probably not for you.