How I multilated a Roland FR-2b

[pentaprism]

A friend of mine, a guitar player, wanted to try out CBA. He lives in a condo so I suggested a Roland V-Accordion. But he didnt want to spend $ 2.3K for a new FR-1xb. Used V-Accordions are not easy to find.

So, when there was a decent FR-2b on Craigslist at a great price, I told him to buy it.

I did the same mods as I did for my FR-1xb, adding the bellows pad and the charging port (see How I multilated my Roland FR-1xb):

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7560/15208241014_9528310650_c.jpg>

The owner also wanted to add speakers (the FR-2b doesnt have internal speakers) in case he didnt want to use a headset. For $15, we bought a Motorola MOTOROKR EQ3 Compact Folding Speaker. I attached the speaker to the accordion with velcro tape. The speaker uses 4 AAA cells. I installed rechargeable batteries and added a charging port. The same charger (Ansmann ACS 410) is used to charge the accordion and also the speaker. Its not as streamlined, and the sound quality is not as good as internal speakers, but sufficient for practice.

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7461/15642392309_19b0272c99_c.jpg>

Not as pretty as a new FR-1xb, but at 1/3 the price, he doesnt complain.

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7518/15826523301_13d8eb9f2f_c.jpg>

 

[Glenn]

Nice work

 

[JIM D.]

Hi Pentaprism;
I make replacement LI-on battery packs - power supply's and midi attachments for older model Roland's . At times I concentrate on needs at the time for formal Roland model owners and my efforts have not yet been to make use of your most simple, but brilliant idea. The problem with un-amplified Roland models is that yes. they can be used with earphones, but the box doesn't vibrate with the feeling of an acoustic. Their are acoustic accordions equipped with Limex units and other Midi units requiring an amp to perform with, and your idea and application just might be a benefit for the strolling accordionist. I must say, I try every day to keep an open mind and try to learn something new now matter how simple or hard.
You made my day on this one. :tup: :ch :tup: