Farewell, Bugari EVO Division

[Alan Sharkis]

I don't know how many of you follow the Bugari EVo page on Facebook, but there was an announcement by Marco a couple of days ago that Bugari's EVO Division is shutting down.  The people involved in the EVO Division are disappointed, of course, but they are saying that their dream will not die and they intend to for their own company next year.  We'll see...

I remember that at the time when there were rumors that Bugari was bought by Parrot the I asked Marco if there was anything to those rumors and he said, in essence, that Parrot didn't buy Bugari but invested heavily in Bugari, and the EVO Division was going to announce a new 37/96 (and the equivalent in CBA) that would be their design with all Italian electronics and no Roland parts.  The announcement was supposed to come in January, 2020.  I guess that's not going to happen.  

Meanwhile, I'm sure that EVO owners are wondering who will repair their accordions if that becomes necessary.  At this time I don't have an answer.  Although I looked at the EVO when I was in Seattle during the summer of 2018 and concluded that I liked certain aspects of it, I didn't buy one. But I remember hearing that Roland would probably not repair the electronics in an EVO, even under whatever warranty come with it.  I know that the dealer (Petosa) would likely cover repairs, but I couldn't tell you about other dealers around the world.


It's sad that the EVO Division will close.  The concept of combining a digital accordion with real bellows, pallets, and the associated air flow with a real wooden case has a lot of potential.Above all, some of those finishes are really cool!

Alan Sharkis

 

[debra]

Well, what the EVO was really lacking to make it stand out from the Roland FR8x was Bugari sound. I would never be interested in an EVO if it could not faithfully reproduce the sound of my acoustic Bugari (Artist Cassotto) accordion(s). When I asked them about it (at a demo in Belgium) they said that people playing acoustic Bugari accordions were a different market than EVO customers. I believe that was a mistake.
I have a Yamaha digital piano and the main reason for choosing Yamaha is that it has the sound of the Yamaha grand piano, and then many other sounds as well. From a Bugari digital accordion I would expect the same. I tried a Roland FR8x and I did not miss the wooden case, pallets and air going through the pallets. I missed having quality (cassotto) accordion sound.

 

[JerryPH]

I disagree Paul. You are very much a purist in the very best sense of the word. No matter how good an accordion sound it would make, I have a feeling you would never go for one. If not the sound, it would be the ergonomics or the feel of the keyboard or battery life or some other reason for you to not like it. You are an acoustic accordionist in your heart, and for you, there is never going to be anything good enough to replace that because in regards to the acoustic vs digital question, for you I do not think the word "compromise" works for you.

What the Evo was really lacking was business direction and leadership. Anyone that was watching from the beginning already saw the signs right from the start:
- 3 years of talk about a product that never came out.
- 3 years to make a website, and when the website came out... it was a poor amateur attempt at best
- Lots of promise, very little delivery... "coming soon!" and nothing came.
- Playing on the Bugari name, when all it was, was a dressed up Roland
- 4 years to come out with a price list!
- 5 years to create a partial support infrastructure! Nowhere to go for sales or repair in North America or almost anywhere else in the world for that matter. If a person in Hong Kong buys an Evo today, does he have to go to Petosa in the USA for repairs? And that was only within the last year! Was there even a dealer list openly available 2 years ago? Nope!
- Putting tons of time, money and effort in directions that gave less than optimal return, like spending months in Asia marketing to people who could not afford an Evo, compared to if the marketing focused in Europe and North America.

Sadly, it was earmarked for failure right from the start... but the product is a GOOD one, there is value and potential in the Evo, in the right hands. If the current owners cannot get it right, maybe an Asian company will take it over, re-brand, re-design and properly market it to the masses successfully.

Sadly, I believe that the problem isn't the Evo, it's all about the people behind it, their vision and how they handled it.

 

[Alan Sharkis]

Well, what the EVO was really lacking to make it stand out from the Roland FR8x was Bugari sound. I would never be interested in an EVO if it could not faithfully reproduce the sound of my acoustic Bugari (Artist Cassotto) accordion(s). When I asked them about it (at a demo in Belgium) they said that people playing acoustic Bugari accordions were a different market than EVO customers. I believe that was a mistake.
I have a Yamaha digital piano and the main reason for choosing Yamaha is that it has the sound of the Yamaha grand piano, and then many other sounds as well. From a Bugari digital accordion I would expect the same. I tried a Roland FR8x and I did not miss the wooden case, pallets and air going through the pallets. I missed having quality (cassotto) accordion sound.

My reply never made it to the board, Paul.  In a nutshell, yes, your digital piano does sound like its acoustic counterpart because Yamaha makes both and can easily sample its grands for use in its digitals, as can Kawai, and even Steinway but not Casio.  OTOH, the EVO had Roland electronics and Bugari's agreement with Roland severely limited what the EVO could do.  It could not, for example, download and use Roland Expansion sound sets, whether from the Roland website or from somebody who had previously downloaded them to a thumb drive.  Sampling a Bugari acoustic was also not allowed under that agreement.  

Alan Sharkis

 

[Deleted member 48]

Interesting topic, this one about the evolution of the digital accordion industry and the international market for digital accordions.

In the Facebook Bugari Evo news group , I can read something like:

quote:
[font=Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]We have started our new business, a company dedicated to any innovations, applications and accessories associated to the digital accordion, and based on the technology we have developed.[/font]
[font=Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]We can rely on a skilled and professional staff and with them we have brought our dream back to life![/font]
[font=Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]The new project will be introduced on the market next year, just the time needed to organize our new company.[/font]

[font=Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]Has anyone more inside information on the situation of Bugari Evo.[/font]
[font=Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]I can read the actual division will be closed, but in this Facebook message they say the team will start a whole new company or division or... ?[/font]

[font=Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]quote: the new project will be introduced on the market next year[/font]

[font=Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]Is that the beginning of 2020 ?[/font]

[font=Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]Will they cut the ties with Roland and start cooperation with another company, or are they going solo?[/font]

 

[John M]

This is probably a little "off topic" since it is not about the EVO.  However it's about an accordion I saw demonstrated at the 20th Annual Las Vegas International Accordion Convention this past fall.  It was the new model of the "Concerto" made by "Accordions International"  They get an acoustic accordion with tone chamber from Italy (I think Paul would appreciate this one).  It sounded great to me, but by far I am no expert on this.  The internal mics on the accordion are very good.  The electronic accordion is all designed by "Accordions International".  The variety of instruments available and tone quality is amazing.  There have been several models of the "Concerto" through the years and the model I heard was just released.  It's like you have the best of both worlds--acoustic and electronic.

 ​

John M.​

 ​

P.S.  It's a little pricey

 

[debra]

I disagree Paul.  You are very much a purist in the very best sense of the word.  No matter how good an accordion sound it would make, I have a feeling you would never go for one.  ...

Actually, if I could get a digital accordion that sounded like a Bugari (artist cassotto) or another really nice accordion I would buy it in an instant. I'd love to have an accordion with good sound that never needs tuning. I love my Yamaha digital piano and could grow to love a digital accordion that approached the acoustic one as well as the digital piano approaches an acoustic one. It is sad that the Bugari EVO did not deliver this. But indeed by building on (a restricted version of) the Roland FR8x was perhaps not the best approach.
Of course maybe what I would love even more is an acoustic accordion that never needs tuning, and preferably is only about 2/3 the weight of what we currently have... but that being a complete illusion, the digital one could convince me to get one, if it existed.

 

[Alan Sharkis]

Interesting topic, this one about the evolution of the digital accordion industry and the international market for digital accordions.

In the Facebook Bugari Evo news group , I can read something like:

quote:
[font=Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]We have started our new business, a company dedicated to any innovations, applications and accessories associated to the digital accordion, and based on the technology we have developed.
We can rely on a skilled and professional staff and with them we have brought our dream back to life!
The new project will be introduced on the market next year, just the time needed to organize our new company.

Has anyone more inside information on the situation of Bugari Evo.
I can read the actual division will be closed, but in this Facebook message they say the team will start a whole new company or division or... ?

quote: the new project will be introduced on the market next year

Is that the beginning of 2020 ?

Will they cut the ties with Roland and start cooperation with another company, or are they going solo?[/font]

I can only reiterate what I wrote in the first post on this topic. The Bugari Division, about a year ago, was to develop a 37/96 PA and its equivalent size in a CBA and announce it in January, 2020. The new model was to be exclusively Italian as far as parts and electronics -- NO Roland electronics. This has apparently changed, now that the division has closed.

Yes, Marco talks about forming a new company. He talks about dreams, talented workers, etc. I would like to see such a company exist, but aI also forsee some obstacles. Forming a new company means either building a new factory and buying new machinery, or getting another, established company to build their products. The trend in Italy over the past few years favors the latter, with one very important difference. in just about every case, long-established name brands are now being produced in the factory of another long-established brand, and for Marcos new company, thats just not the case.

Whether the new company has the capital to start manufacturing or to have another company do it for them is a second issue.

Another potential pitfall might be the the if foreign money enters the picture, typically from China, the people supplying that money will expect a large and speedy profit. They may suggest cutting corners on a well-designed product in order to achieve the profit.

Do you remember when there ws a rumor that Parrot bought Bugri? I asked Marco about it and he told me that Parrot didnt buy Bugari, but instead invested in Bugari with the idea of joint projects like the 34/72 model the were to be sold exclusively in China. He pointed to the fact that Bugari and Parrot had cooperated in the past and the China was ready to import high-end Bugari acoustic accordions.

I wish I could tell you more.

Alan Sharkis

---

This is probably a little off topic since it is not about the EVO. However its about an accordion I saw demonstrated at the 20th Annual Las Vegas International Accordion Convention this past fall. It was the new model of the Concerto made by Accordions International They get an acoustic accordion with tone chamber from Italy (I think Paul would appreciate this one). It sounded great to me, but by far I am no expert on this. The internal mics on the accordion are very good. The electronic accordion is all designed by Accordions International. The variety of instruments available and tone quality is amazing. There have been several models of the Concerto through the years and the model I heard was just released. Its like you have the best of both worlds--acoustic and electronic.

John M.
​

P.S. Its a little pricey

Hello John M.

I went to Accordions Internationals website. It hasnt changed in years. There was no indication of a new Concerto model. Is this because they were careless about updating their website or is it because there is no new model? I cant tell. Ive never heard anyone play a Concerto accordion. A few professional accordionists I know have told me that the Concerto is nothing more than an acoustic accordion with midi installed. If you wish to investigate, thats your choice. I cant at this time -- too much to do and knee-replacement surgery coming up.

Sorry.

Alan Sharkis

 

[Tom]

Best of luck to you, Alan! Maybe Roland will sample the right accordion and put real belloews and reeds in sometime.....

 

[JerryPH]

Uwe Steger was a good person to pay attention to. Besides the fact that he was first on board with the Roland, he was also first on board with the Evo... and now he has some new digital accordion with the FLY Free Bass system. No name/brand was visible, and he was using it as a digital instrument along with a fair sounding clarinet reed accordion.

If he follows his past trends, it is going to be the digital accordion to watch for.

Marco has posted in several places on facebook that they are basically starting over with another company to create another digital accordion.

Who I feel the absolute worst for are the current owners of Evos who likely won't have a place to go to for future support. Does this mean that people like Michael Bridge, or even my friend Ed (who bought an Evo only a few months ago!). are now left hanging because of this?

Seriously... I'd have some issues trusting someone that could burn that many people and then wants to go at it one more time, but I wish them well. Who knows, maybe they learned something from the experience and won't repeat some very seriously critical mistakes again... but right now, my 8X looks really good to me, even with all it's issues and bad points.

 

[John M]

Interesting topic, this one about the evolution of the digital accordion industry and the international market for digital accordions.

In the Facebook Bugari Evo news group , I can read something like:

quote:
[font=Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]We have started our new business, a company dedicated to any innovations, applications and accessories associated to the digital accordion, and based on the technology we have developed.[/font]
[font=Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]We can rely on a skilled and professional staff and with them we have brought our dream back to life![/font]
[font=Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]The new project will be introduced on the market next year, just the time needed to organize our new company.[/font]

[font=Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]Has anyone more inside information on the situation of Bugari Evo.[/font]
[font=Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]I can read the actual division will be closed, but in this Facebook message they say the team will start a whole new company or division or... ?[/font]

[font=Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]quote: the new project will be introduced on the market next year[/font]

[font=Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]Is that the beginning of 2020 ?[/font]

[font=Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]Will they cut the ties with Roland and start cooperation with another company, or are they going solo?[/font]

Hello Stephen,

I can only reiterate what I wrote in the first post on this topic.  The Bugari Division, about a year ago, was to develop a 37/96 PA and its equivalent size in a CBA and announce it in January, 2020.  The new model was to be exclusively Italian as far as parts and electronics -- NO Roland electronics.  This has apparently changed, now that the division has closed.  

Yes, Marco talks about forming a new company.  He talks about dreams, talented workers, etc.  I would like to see such a company exist, but aI also forsee some obstacles.  Forming a new company means either building a new factory and buying new machinery, or getting another, established company to build their products.  The trend in Italy over the past few years favors the latter, with one very important difference.  in just about every case, long-established name brands are now being produced in the factory of another long-established brand, and for Marcos new company, thats just not the case.  

Whether the new company has the capital to start manufacturing or to have another company do it for them is a second issue.

Another potential pitfall might be the the if foreign money enters the picture, typically from China, the people supplying that money will expect a large and speedy profit.  They may suggest cutting corners on a well-designed product in order to achieve the profit.  

Do you remember when there ws a rumor that Parrot bought Bugri?  I asked Marco about it and he told me that Parrot didnt buy Bugari, but instead invested in Bugari with the idea of joint projects like the 34/72 model the were to be sold exclusively in China.  He pointed to the fact that Bugari and Parrot had cooperated in the past and the China was ready to import high-end Bugari acoustic accordions.  

I wish I could tell you more.

Alan Sharkis

---

This is probably a little off topic since it is not about the EVO.  However its about an accordion I saw demonstrated at the 20th Annual Las Vegas International Accordion Convention this past fall.  It was the new model of the Concerto made by Accordions International  They get an acoustic accordion with tone chamber from Italy (I think Paul would appreciate this one).  It sounded great to me, but by far I am no expert on this.  The internal mics on the accordion are very good.  The electronic accordion is all designed by Accordions International.  The variety of instruments available and tone quality is amazing.  There have been several models of the Concerto through the years and the model I heard was just released.  Its like you have the best of both worlds--acoustic and electronic.

 ​

John M.​

 ​

P.S.  Its a little pricey

Hello John M.

I went to Accordions Internationals website.  It hasnt changed in years.  There was no indication of a new Concerto model.  Is this because they were careless about updating their website or is it because there is no new model?  I cant tell.  Ive never heard anyone play a Concerto accordion.  A few professional accordionists I know have told me that the Concerto is nothing more than an acoustic accordion with midi installed.  If you wish to investigate, thats your choice.  I cant at this time -- too much to do and knee-replacement surgery coming up.

Sorry.

Alan Sharkis
=======================================
Alan

I dont know about the website updates, but the new Concerto was demonstrated at the convention.  I talked to attendees that had previous models of the Concerto.  They were going to trade in their old model for this new one.  I dont know the design detail of the digital electronic accordion, except that the instrument sounds were very realistic.  For example, the Hammond B3 sound was right on.

Best to you on your knee replacement.  Recently, I had both hips replaced.  I wish I had done it sooner.

 ​

John M.

---

 

[R V_47]

I don't know how many of you follow the Bugari EVo page on Facebook, but there was an announcement by Marco a couple of days ago that Bugari's EVO Division is shutting down.  The people involved in the EVO Division are disappointed, of course, but they are saying that their dream will not die and they intend to for their own company next year.  We'll see...

I remember that at the time when there were rumors that Bugari was bought by Parrot the I asked Marco if there was anything to those rumors and he said, in essence, that Parrot didn't buy Bugari but invested heavily in Bugari, and the EVO Division was going to announce a new 37/96 (and the equivalent in CBA) that would be their design with all Italian electronics and no Roland parts.  The announcement was supposed to come in January, 2020.  I guess that's not going to happen.  

Meanwhile, I'm sure that EVO owners are wondering who will repair their accordions if that becomes necessary.  At this time I don't have an answer.  Although I looked at the EVO when I was in Seattle during the summer of 2018 and concluded that I liked certain aspects of it, I didn't buy one. But I remember hearing that Roland would probably not repair the electronics in an EVO, even under whatever warranty come with it.  I know that the dealer (Petosa) would likely cover repairs, but I couldn't tell you about other dealers around the world.


It's sad that the EVO Division will close.  The concept of combining a digital accordion with real bellows, pallets, and the associated air flow with a real wooden case has a lot of potential.Above all, some of those finishes are really cool!

Alan Shark :huh: I am disappointed after spending $7500.00 on a bugari-evo to have the company go out of business. I like the accordion very much, it's too bad.​

---

I am disappointed after spending $ 7500.00 on a Bugari-Evo accordion to have the company go out of business. I like the accordion very much. What happens now when you need a new battery or you have a problem with the accordion. I should of stayed with my Roland Fr-8x accordion. :huh:

 

[JerryPH]

New batteries are certainly no concern... any 7X, 8X or even DIY battery options all exist and work well. It's support and after warranty repairs that become a major issue, and also knowing that there is zero chance of further improvements and evolution in the brand that you have chosen that hurt the most.

As I said before, it would take a lot to make me trust anything that this team does in the future, their performance was far from impressive.