How popular are digital accordions?

[QuaverRest]

Hello!

I've seen a lot of banter concerning the digital accordion, and I was wondering how popular they really are?

Speaking as someone who spent a good few years as a professional jazz guitarist, ridding myself of the cables/power supplies/batteries/amplifiers in taking up the acoustic accordion, which is so much louder and richer than the acoustic guitar, feels great!

I can see the attraction in terms of linking to sound modules/computers and such, but can they really be a good enough substitute a high quality, electron-free box of the same price?

I have a feeling this may elicit a polarised debate, but I am genuinely curious

 

[goldtopia]

Roland are probably the best of digital accordions though not everyone likes othem. They are much diferent to accoustic accordions with an impressive range of orchestral sounds and set ups that you can't get on accoustic accordions. Some say they are not real accordions and don't sound natural but this I think Roland is working on in trying to create the kind of sound and musical expression you get on accoustic accordions. I found the bellows too stiff for my liking but this is something I am told you get use to. A big bonus is you can play it silently with headphones. You don't have the trailing wires that you get with some other digital accordions and can be played using mains or the accordions internal battery. There are advantages and disadvantages. I have heard of people having both a Roland and an accoustic accordion which they say is the best of both worlds which I agree. There are also differences in the various models. It would require some study to see what model suits you (if at all) as there are now so many models to choose from.
The X series being the latest have certain improvements to the bellows and sounds which I think has inceased the weight a little.

 

[JIM D.]

To answer your Question of how popular are the new digital accordions - well here in the US they have become as popular as the smart phone. I repair all types of accordions and play both acoustic and digital. I have an absolute love for the acoustic types but when performing, both the musicians I work with and the audience prefer the sounds from the digital. You might try to listen to a accordionist that plays both and pick which flavor suits you -- -- and take a notice of the bellows travel of both types.

 

[QuaverRest]

That's very interesting, thanks guys

Digital or not, those videos are fantastic!

 

[maugein96]

Hi QuaverRest,

I joined this forum a couple of weeks ago and had the same curiosity as you. I was considering buying a Crucianelli CBA with Cavagnolo midi for about the same price as a Roland FR-1xb. However, the Crucianelli would need an amp etc, so it would have worked out considerably more expensive. I've watched a lot of players on You Tube "demonstrating" Rolands and they range from the almost total beginner to the best professionals. Some of the so called demonstrations would tend to put you off, as they are obviously done by players who have just bought one and are keen to show off all the fancy sounds.

However, the professional players can really make them sing, and it would appear that many professionals are switching to Rolands, if for no other reason but audience appeal, as Jim D has pointed out.

If you are in any doubt about their popularity the FR-1x models are currently offered for sale in the UK by at least three major online guitar stores, and various other music outlets who do not sell acoustic accordions. One store is giving you a year to pay with no deposit and I'm seriously thinking of taking them up on it. There is a steep financial penalty if you can't pay in a year, as they then put you on a hire purchase plan at very high APR, but the instrument is well within my budget, whereas I simply couldn't afford to spend more megabucks on a decent acoustic at my age, given that I'm an amateur player.

I hate to say it, but their popularity may eventually lead to the further demise of the acoustic accordion. Most top of the range accordions are now way beyond the price range of all but the most successful professional players, and if you can buy a little FR-1 with all its sounds and versatility for a tenth of the cost of a top class instrument, then Roland would appear to be the winner. It seems to have been the case that the earlier models were perhaps lacking in some areas, but I've never played one.

I still haven't bought a Roland yet, but I feel that it will only be a matter of time. I realise you have just bought your first PA and I'm sure with your knowledge of the jazz scene you'll soon be making it talk. So far jazz has defeated me in both the guitar and accordion. I was schooled in the usual blues/rock/surf guitar playing methods and simply didn't have a good enough ear or memory to cope with all those fancy chords. Same with accordion. I am a reasonable player of French musette on a CBA (piano keyboards also frighten me), but again I don't seem to be able to get the feel for jazz. I play in the old staccato three finger based style that was popular in the 50s, and my right hand chords and embellishments are my weakness, so I doubt whether that will ever change.

Good luck with your new venture and I reckon if you persevere you'll be making more enquiries about Rolands very soon.

 

[Soulsaver]

They are popular with non audience, family & neighbours too - silent practice..

 

[Anyanka]

There are plenty of accordion aficionados who detest them, too. While I accept all the arguments in favour of digitals, I would never want to play one and don't enjoy listening to them either. Most folk players wouldn't go near them

 

[george garside]

I agree with Anyanka and particularly dislike the roland fr18 diatonic button box that even rolands rep could not set up as a BCC#! Maybe if I ever have to live in a retirement flat I may have not other option for not upsetting the neighbours! - but would probably make do with the mouthie!

george
!

 

[Sarah]

There is a new player on the market called Gwerder
Gwerder Digital Accordion - Oberkrainer (video)

 

[QuaverRest]

There is a new player on the market called Gwerder
Gwerder Digital Accordion - Oberkrainer (video)

It sounds like the genteman in the video has accidently set the bass buttons to the flatulence patch

This video springs to mind >

 

[maugein96]

The Gwerders are marketed by a Swiss company of the same name, more usually associated with Schwyzerorgel and Styrian style accordions. I don't know if they are actually made in Switzerland, but the only digital model for the international market appears to be their DA7, available in both PA and CBA versions. They look absolutely amazing, but at £4699 are well out of my price range. They seem to be aimed more at the Swiss/German/Austrian/Slovenian market, although to be fair I don't really know much more about them. The only other digital brand I've seen is Musitech, and they are quite pricey too. Again I don't know anything about Musitech accordions.

I was playing one of my acoustic boxes earlier this evening and made the usual mistakes I have made for the last 30 years when playing certain tunes. I get the impression that I'd make exactly the same mistakes on a Roland no matter what sound was coming out of it. It's as though my memory has programmed itself to remember the mistakes and repeat them in the same manner as it remembers to play the correct bits of the tune. Maybe the real reason I want one is that I can play it with headphones on! I suffer from being self taught and trying to run marathons before I could walk 100 yards. Actually, I'm looking forward to experimenting with the different bass and treble side configurations. I've always wanted to try out a B system CBA but up until now couldn't have justified the cost of acquiring an instrument to experiment with.

It seems that digital accordions are making an impact on the market whether they are for everyone or not. Time will tell whether they are here to stay. If their existence means that more people take an interest in the accordion, will that be a good or bad thing?

The German player in Sarah's link is playing an Alpine style bass, which I agree doesn't sound too pleasant on You Tube. I've found that You Tube sound is a bit rough. I recorded myself playing on my laptop using the onboard mic, and almost threw the accordion in the bin after I heard myself playing. I used to record myself playing on a cheap old cassette recorder and the sound was about 1000% better.

 

[george garside]

:lol: - reminds me of a verse of the ancient limerick ''the good ship venus''----

'' The first mates name was also Carter
But he was a musical farter
He could play anything from God save the Queen
To Beethovens Moonlight Sonata''


George ( bringing a bit of 'light relief' to the proceedings - or risking excommunication by those with no sense of humour!))

 

[Sarah]

There is a new player on the market called Gwerder
Gwerder Digital Accordion - Oberkrainer (video)

More presets

 

[lasvegascolonel]

As many people on this forum know, a major long-term concern regarding the Roland V-accordion is its survival. When Roland closed its Italian factory in May, it was quick to say it is committed to keeping the V-accordion alive and will make it somewhere else (likely Asia). Though no further word has been said, one news report mentioned another company may buy the Roland facility and continue making the accordion right in Italy. Most people who have the V-accordion are quite happy with its current quality from what I understand, so that would be good though it might not be a "Roland". This begs the question---do you buy one of the Italian-made Rolands now knowing it is a quality product or wait to see how the next production fairs? Some former Roland employees have heard the company may simply quit making the product altogether once current supplies are exhausted. I would think buying one now would be good advice, as there are people who can readily service electronic musical instruments in the event Roland discontinues the line; however, some have expressed concern buying a discontinued item like this might make it an electronic antique considering how quickly technology is moving. I am considering buying one to complement the acoustic Hohner I have. Like many, I am going to at least see where the product is headed down the road, though, before I do.

 

[maugein96]

The last post is certainly worth considering, and in my excitement I almost forgot that Roland had recently closed its Italian factory. That would tend to suggest that either it wasn't selling enough accordions to justify the factory's existence, or conversely the sales had reached such a level that they wanted to select the "greed" bank of reeds, maximise their profit margin, and pull out of Italy with its high labour costs.

My worry is that the accordion in whatever form has become an endangered species, and if Roland fail to deliver in their latest game plan where does that leave us? We may all be sitting looking at a musical novelty that never really caught on. The speed of modern technology has already been mentioned, with dealers now apparently struggling to sell the first wave of "inferior" Rolands.

I am still keen, but would like to see some sort of positive commitment from Roland as to the future of the V accordion before I commit myself to buy. Mind you, the old adage of "he who hesitates...." springs to mind, and I reckon that by the time I finally decide they'll be back in production at an inflated price, knowing my luck. The other adage about biting bullets might be more appropriate but I'm not a betting man.

 

[BarryG]

Hi,
I am a newish member, I would like to share my experience of the digital versus conventional debate.
I am a member of the Liscard (Wirral ) Accordion Club, at which I play my Welmeister Serino (80 Bass) accordion, I bought it from Bulgaria via EBay. It is sufficient for my present needs but I through the club have experienced some very good accordions.
Because we meet once a week and play round the group, I play up to 10 tunes solo per week. This gave me a problem, as i soon ran out of tunes. I decided more practice was the solution. My wife is very considerate, so I would go to the extremity of the house and play at every available opportunity. Because I believed I could be heard I varied my tunes. I also think I showed off and played the tunes I know.
Time for a rethink, a Roland FR-1X, it is brilliant, I use it for practice with earphones on, I can now play a tune a 100 times and not bother anyone, theoretically I can change the sound, but I find that I play using an accordion sound that suits me.
The Roland is easy to play, but difficult to master all the things that it can do, and I have purchased a set of DVDs from Roxy Music, New York. These go through everything, but I think that will be a Winter Project.
The Roland does not replace my Weltmeister, it complements it. At Christmas I may take my Roland to the Club for something different.
I have difficulty sleeping and very often get up to play at 6am. This is when the Roland really is useful.
Regards and sorry my script is so long winded.
Barry

 

[JIM D.]

The Roland line of "V" accordions will continue, but any news of future production in Italy will have to wait as 90% of the population takes August for vacation and don't return to work until September.

 

[lasvegascolonel]

The Roland line of V accordions will continue, but any news of future production in Italy will have to wait as 90% of the population takes August for vacation and dont return to work until September.

Yes indeed, Jim. If Roland continues production in Italy that would be great but like you said after their August vacations, we might here of another company making them in the same factory. Part of me likes the idea of Rolands worldwide resources to further improve the accordion, but if another company makes it in Italy, it may not have Rolands expertise or resources. But as you told us earlier, it doesnt look like Roland is going to make them in Italy any longer.

 

[QuaverRest]

As a new-comer to the instrument, I think the digital accordions sound phenomenal, although I've never heard one in the flesh.

I think it is a shame that they don't produce a cheaper, scaled down version, with just a few good quality accordion sounds- like they do with their digital pianos/keyboards.

I think the main impediments for new players are getting a good quality instrument in the first instance, and then finding somewhere to practise that wont upset the neighbours, or in my case my girlfriend and cat. A simple, cheap, silent electric box would be a good solution.

If they produced a cheaper v-accordion without the bells and whistles (and drums and electric guitars and helicopter sounds), it would open up a new source of players.

(*edit* I notice they produced the FX1, but still very pricey for a newbie)

 

[dunlustin]

I think the Gwerder bass is trying to be a tuba - and failing, as does my FR1-XB
Ive never seen a folkeux with a Roland but they do seem to have a soft spot for the Streb:

The FR18 is probably the one that got away.
I seem to remember that over the last 2 years, sales of V-accordions rose by about 15%.
I wonder if they are just looking for cheaper labour?
Popularity? The French Roland Accordion forum has around 2000 members.
Price? Agreed £1400 is a lot but is it value for money?