Field Trip

[Valski]

I'm off to France today for a family trip. Currently I'm not in the market for a new accordion because my FR8X is a great instrument but it's also good to be aware of the technology available in digital accordions.

Cavagnolo is a French brand and it warrants investigating. According to Cavagnolo there aren't any dealers listed in North America so this could present a whole series of issues but perhaps one day this might change. The top of the line digital instrument is about 30% lighter and has wireless capabilities built-in. This would be very useful if I was in the market for a new instrument. It is however quite expensive compared to the Roland. In any case there are a couple of dealers that carry both brands so it should be easier to evaluate them.

 

[Pbraido]

I'm off to France today for a family trip. Currently I'm not in the market for a new accordion because my FR8X is a great instrument but it's also good to be aware of the technology available in digital accordions.

Cavagnolo is a French brand and it warrants investigating. According to Cavagnolo there aren't any dealers listed in North America so this could present a whole series of issues but perhaps one day this might change. The top of the line digital instrument is about 30% lighter and has wireless capabilities built-in. This would be very useful if I was in the market for a new instrument. It is however quite expensive compared to the Roland. In any case there are a couple of dealers that carry both brands so it should be easier to evaluate them.

The thing that I don’t like about Cavagnolo or MusicTech for that matter is that it is not self contained (no on board speakers) as I love to have the ability to pick up and stroll in whatever setting that be (a restaurant- a backyard party -a wedding or whatever) Please give us your thoughts on Cavagnolo once you are there and have played one I’d love to hear what you think - good luck and enjoy your trip

 

[Chris Laarman]

The thing that I don’t like about Cavagnolo or MusicTech for that matter is that it is not self contained (no on board speakers) as I love to have the ability to pick up and stroll in whatever setting that be (a restaurant- a backyard party -a wedding or whatever) Please give us your thoughts on Cavagnolo once you are there and have played one I’d love to hear what you think - good luck and enjoy your trip

On the matter of "being self-contained": I can definitely see it your way. However, (1) a restaurant or a backyard party is likely to have some matching sound system (but you'd have to carry something (wired or wireless) to connect to it); (2) if you need much volume from your self-contained system, you may need to carry multiple sets of batteries and a charger.

(Me, I have a Roland FR-1xb and a Startone Piano Accordion 120 IV. I hope I'll live to master either.) ;-)

 

[Alan Sharkis]

I'm off to France today for a family trip. Currently I'm not in the market for a new accordion because my FR8X is a great instrument but it's also good to be aware of the technology available in digital accordions.

Cavagnolo is a French brand and it warrants investigating. According to Cavagnolo there aren't any dealers listed in North America so this could present a whole series of issues but perhaps one day this might change. The top of the line digital instrument is about 30% lighter and has wireless capabilities built-in. This would be very useful if I was in the market for a new instrument. It is however quite expensive compared to the Roland. In any case there are a couple of dealers that carry both brands so it should be easier to evaluate them.

I don’t know if you’re interested in arranger modules or not, but Cavagnolo has an interesting one.

Back to digital accordions, Cavagnolo’s digitals use optical technology to trigger notes. That sounds interesting to me.

Enjoy the trip!

 

[Valski]

On the matter of "being self-contained": I can definitely see it your way. However, (1) a restaurant or a backyard party is likely to have some matching sound system (but you'd have to carry something (wired or wireless) to connect to it); (2) if you need much volume from your self-contained system, you may need to carry multiple sets of batteries and a charger.

(Me, I have a Roland FR-1xb and a Startone Piano Accordion 120 IV. I hope I'll live to master either.) ;-)

Yes exactly!

My FR8X is self contained so there's only one piece to consider, however it's heavy and it might be the last Roland accordion. The best test for the technology is in person because some of the technical data was a bit vague, however it may have been the fault of the translation. Ideally I would like built in speakers but I do also own a small PA system. You have to do your homework beyond reading the brochures.

 

[Chris Laarman]

Yes exactly!

My FR8X is self contained so there's only one piece to consider, however it's heavy and it might be the last Roland accordion. The best test for the technology is in person because some of the technical data was a bit vague, however it may have been the fault of the translation. Ideally I would like built in speakers but I do also own a small PA system. You have to do your homework beyond reading the brochures.

In case you hadn't thought of it: you may be able to use some computing device (maybe even a smartphone) to connect a wireless accordion to some PA-system (that could consist of even one active loudspeaker connected to that computing device). - Yes, homework... ;-)

 

[Valski]

In case you hadn't thought of it: you may be able to use some computing device (maybe even a smartphone) to connect a wireless accordion to some PA-system (that could consist of even one active loudspeaker connected to that computing device). - Yes, homework... ;-)

Yes, I've done some version of this with my tablet however a purpose built solution is always better. So I am investigating this solution.

 

[TonyChicago]

Safe travels.

 

[Pbraido]

On the matter of "being self-contained": I can definitely see it your way. However, (1) a restaurant or a backyard party is likely to have some matching sound system (but you'd have to carry something (wired or wireless) to connect to it); (2) if you need much volume from your self-contained system, you may need to carry multiple sets of batteries and a charger.

(Me, I have a Roland FR-1xb and a Startone Piano Accordion 120 IV. I hope I'll live to master either.) ;-)

I have a 8X and the battery is good for any gig I’ve played and then some I believe I get a good 5 hrs out of it and if your hooking into a restaurant sound system 1 chances are you won’t be happy with the sound and in my opinion it will be weird strolling from table to table and having the sound come from somewhere else not to mention it’s not very personalized for the people you are playing to and how do you go from an upstairs room to a downstairs room or outside to the patio it just wouldn’t work for me. Now I have done large halls and that would work as I always bring my own sound system but it’s a matter of you being happy with it that’s all that counts

 

[TonyChicago]

I have a 8X and the battery is good for any gig I’ve played and then some I believe I get a good 5 hrs out of it and if your hooking into a restaurant sound system 1 chances are you won’t be happy with the sound and in my opinion it will be weird strolling from table to table and having the sound come from somewhere else not to mention it’s not very personalized for the people you are playing to and how do you go from an upstairs room to a downstairs room or outside to the patio it just wouldn’t work for me. Now I have done large halls and that would work as I always bring my own sound system but it’s a matter of you being happy with it that’s all that counts

Out of curiosity, do any of the Roland models have Bluetooth capabilities to wirelessly transmit to a Bluetooth speaker?

 

[Pbraido]

Out of curiosity, do any of the Roland models have Bluetooth capabilities to wirelessly transmit to a Bluetooth speaker?

No they do not

 

[TonyChicago]

No they do not

Ok, thanks.

 

[JerryPH]

Out of curiosity, do any of the Roland models have Bluetooth capabilities to wirelessly transmit to a Bluetooth speaker?

They don't and if they did, using even current technology, the latency would be so long as to make it useless. One day that may change, but we're not there yet.

 

[Valski]

I have a 8X and the battery is good for any gig I’ve played and then some I believe I get a good 5 hrs out of it and if your hooking into a restaurant sound system 1 chances are you won’t be happy with the sound and in my opinion it will be weird strolling from table to table and having the sound come from somewhere else not to mention it’s not very personalized for the people you are playing to and how do you go from an upstairs room to a downstairs room or outside to the patio it just wouldn’t work for me. Now I have done large halls and that would work as I always bring my own sound system but it’s a matter of you being happy with it that’s all that counts

The Fr8x battery is great when just using the internal speakers and lasts even longer when plugged into a PA system. When the sound is emitted from speakers and you're strolling around the room a lot of people don't understand and can get confused. If you intend to use external speakers you probably want to stay put.

 

[Valski]

Update,

It seems that there is currently only one accordion shop left in Paris. I was at Paris Accordeon yesterday only to find it shuttered. This must be a recent development as they seemed to have been operating a few short weeks ago. My main objective was to compare the Cavagnolo Accordions with Roland because the shop claimed to carry both brands.

I did visit Maugein dealer in Paris however they only make accoustic accordions and they are simply beautiful instruments with great sound. Apparently the Cavagnolo people had approached the Maugein factory to take over production of their instruments as it was no longer feasible for them to make their own instruments from scratch.

I plan to travel around France and perhaps might find another dealer along the way who carries both of these brands. The Roland accordions seem to be phasing out their line of instruments so it makes sense to know what I would need to purchase. I hope that I 'm not starting a rumour, but wanted to provide an update.

 

[Pbraido]

Update,

It seems that there is currently only one accordion shop left in Paris. I was at Paris Accordeon yesterday only to find it shuttered. This must be a recent development as they seemed to have been operating a few short weeks ago. My main objective was to compare the Cavagnolo Accordions with Roland because the shop claimed to carry both brands.

I did visit Maugein dealer in Paris however they only make accoustic accordions and they are simply beautiful instruments with great sound. Apparently the Cavagnolo people had approached the Maugein factory to take over production of their instruments as it was no longer feasible for them to make their own instruments from scratch.

I plan to travel around France and perhaps might find another dealer along the way who carries both of these brands. The Roland accordions seem to be phasing out their line of instruments so it makes sense to know what I would need to purchase. I hope that I 'm not starting a rumour, but wanted to provide an update.

That’s disappointing about the Cavagnolo Shop that carried the digital line

 

[Alan Sharkis]

That’s disappointing about the Cavagnolo Shop that carried the digital line

Very disappointing. Cavagnolo has distributors in Continental Europe, none in the UK, one in Asia, none in Australia or the Americas. They make interesting products, including an arranger module. One accordion dealer in the US tried them and it didn’t work out.

 

[jozz]

I plan to travel around France and perhaps might find another dealer along the way who carries both of these brands. The Roland accordions seem to be phasing out their line of instruments so it makes sense to know what I would need to purchase. I hope that I 'm not starting a rumour, but wanted to provide an update.

Be sure to stop by ville Orange (Avignon area) to visit the only 'real' Cavagnolo accordion maker: grandson Claude Cavagnolo!

Log in to Facebook

Log in to Facebook to start sharing and connecting with your friends, family and people you know.

www.facebook.com

Claude Cavagnolo Accordéons Légende

Claude Cavagnolo Accordéons Légende is on Facebook. Join Facebook to connect with Claude Cavagnolo Accordéons Légende and others you may know. Facebook gives people the power to share and makes the...

www.facebook.com

 

[Valski]

Be sure to stop by ville Orange (Avignon area) to visit the only 'real' Cavagnolo accordion maker: grandson Claude Cavagnolo!

Log in to Facebook

Log in to Facebook to start sharing and connecting with your friends, family and people you know.

www.facebook.com

Claude Cavagnolo Accordéons Légende

Claude Cavagnolo Accordéons Légende is on Facebook. Join Facebook to connect with Claude Cavagnolo Accordéons Légende and others you may know. Facebook gives people the power to share and makes the...

www.facebook.com

I'm not in the market specifically for the Cavagnolo although it might just be a worthy successor to the Roland. It looks interesting and I thought that I would have the opportunity to compare that to the Roland on neutral ground, where the shop owner could point out the relative merits of each instrument. Visiting the factory is not conducive to a non-biassed comparison.

Also, I merely repeated the rumor that Cavagnolo was looking to make arrangements with another manufacturer for cost savings. As we know this is a tried and true practice in the industry. Castiglione Accordions in Detroit would visit Italy every year when purchasing his "house brand" accordions from various manufacturers and although he didn't disclose exactly from which company, it never was a secret.