Looking for a reliable service station

[pegaso27]

Hi
I just bought a used Roland F4x and I am finding some problems with it.
The main thing is that the bellows seems extremely hard, even in the x light setting and with the wheel adjustment on the "softest" position.
I already did the calibration procedure advised in the manual but the bellows feels a lot harder than an acoustic.
The batteries don't seem to charge, and I haven't been able to make the USB player function.
I don't have a Roland dealer nearby, (I am in Texas) so I am asking if anybody can recommend a reliable service station to send it for inspection.

Thank you
David S.L.

 

[pentaprism]

Disclaimer #1: I don't have an FR-4x, but do have some of its sisters or predecessors.

Disclaimer #2: I'm not an accordion technician, in fact not a technician of any kind.

>> I am asking if anybody can recommend a reliable service station to send it for inspection.

First off, don't send the accordion for inspection yet. There is a good chance that it is OK. The accordion may need some setting adjustments, and you may need to adjust yourself to it.

>> The batteries don't seem to charge

How do you charge the batteries? I don't think Roland supplies charger with any FR accordion, except for those that use rechargeable battery pack (FR-8x/7x/7/5).

You will need to get a charger and charge the batteries outside the accordion.

>> I haven't been able to make the USB player function.

If you describe what you did, what happened and what you expected, someone here may be able to help you.

>> the bellows feels a lot harder than an acoustic.

I'm not sure if it is "harder" or it is just different. In my opinion, FR-accordions may look like acoustic accordions but they don't feel like acoustic accordions. I think you just need to adjust yourself to the bellows. Even among the FR lines, different models seem to have different bellows characteristics.

 

[Ventura]

https://www.letspolka.com/
is the website for the Houston Accordion club,
from their links you can also find the Austin Accordion Club,
and Nick Ballarini in Dallas (who knows a lot about Rolands)

if you are going to be wandering around in Texas for other reasons, you might
like to visit one of the clubs during a meeting and maybe fiund some other local Roland users

next year, 2023, is the soonest for the next Texas Accordion convention

National Accordion Association Website

they usually have some Roland workshops

regarding the batteries, they do NOT recharge inside the accordion, that
is not part of the design parameters.. Batteries are managed outside the accordion
like any other rechargeable battery. Roland did not supply the batteries, the former
owner left them in there

and do NOT attempt to use Alkaline Batteries as a substitute

so it almost sounds like you do not have an owners manual ?

not all USB sticks are compatible with Roland, you should format
one according to roland recommendations and instructions, then put it
in a Computer to transfer a few files, then put the stick back into the
FR4 and see if it shows the files and can play them

the Bellows you just have to get used to.. TURN THE VOLUME CONTROL WAAAAY UP
so you can squeeze easier

 

[Alan Sharkis]

Hi
I just bought a used Roland F4x and I am finding some problems with it.
The main thing is that the bellows seems extremely hard, even in the x light setting and with the wheel adjustment on the "softest" position.
I already did the calibration procedure advised in the manual but the bellows feels a lot harder than an acoustic.
The batteries don't seem to charge, and I haven't been able to make the USB player function.
I don't have a Roland dealer nearby, (I am in Texas) so I am asking if anybody can recommend a reliable service station to send it for inspection.

Thank you
David S.L.

Roland in California is, I believe, the closest to you. But before sending the accordion away for service, get the reference manual if you don’t already have it and read the relevant sections. As Pentaprism stated, the ten Nimh batteries must be charged in an external charger. If I were in your situation, I’d buy ten fresh batteries and the same brand charger. Remember: never try to use alkaline batteries. They will create a 25% over voltage condition and damage your accordion. As for bellows, remember that you aren’t forcing air across reeds. You’re putting pressure to work against a transducer, which detects differences in the amount and direction of that pressure and changes the resulting dynamics of the music accordingly. Although every player finds his or her own settings, I find that keeping the curve on standard or heavier, and keeping the wheel closed or one or two clicks open gives me very good dynamics control for little movement. On the other hand, opening that wheel up more will result in more movement on your part and possibly a sore shoulder! Keep your volume control at about 115-120.

Good luck with your new purchase!

 

[pegaso27]

Thank you all for your kind answers. I did look at the manual but obviously not carefully enough.
Somehow I didn't pick up on the fact that I had to charge the batteries outside the accordion.
I will look at the USB section for the formatting procedure. As for the bellows I will keep using it see if I get to master it.
A club visit to Houston or Austin seems in order.

Again thank you and I will keep you posted.

 

[Valski]

Disclaimer #1: I don't have an FR-4x, but do have some of its sisters or predecessors.

Disclaimer #2: I'm not an accordion technician, in fact not a technician of any kind.

>> I am asking if anybody can recommend a reliable service station to send it for inspection.

First off, don't send the accordion for inspection yet. There is a good chance that it is OK. The accordion may need some setting adjustments, and you may need to adjust yourself to it.

>> The batteries don't seem to charge

How do you charge the batteries? I don't think Roland supplies charger with any FR accordion, except for those that use rechargeable battery pack (FR-8x/7x/7/5).

You will need to get a charger and charge the batteries outside the accordion.

>> I haven't been able to make the USB player function.

If you describe what you did, what happened and what you expected, someone here may be able to help you.

>> the bellows feels a lot harder than an acoustic.

I'm not sure if it is "harder" or it is just different. In my opinion, FR-accordions may look like acoustic accordions but they don't feel like acoustic accordions. I think you just need to adjust yourself to the bellows. Even among the FR lines, different models seem to have different bellows characteristics.

I agree entirely with each of these points. I own a Fr8x and struggled with bellows pressure for over a year and in the end accepted that these are not acoustic instruments that need air moving through the bellows to play. The bellows are there to allow for modulation when you play and therefore don't need to move them much.

 

[Tartan Ghostie]

Hi
I just bought a used Roland F4x and I am finding some problems with it.
The main thing is that the bellows seems extremely hard, even in the x light setting and with the wheel adjustment on the "softest" position.
I already did the calibration procedure advised in the manual but the bellows feels a lot harder than an acoustic.
The batteries don't seem to charge, and I haven't been able to make the USB player function.
I don't have a Roland dealer nearby, (I am in Texas) so I am asking if anybody can recommend a reliable service station to send it for inspection.

Thank you
David S.L.

First, you need to get or download the owner's manual for your model. Then go to the "bellows resistance regulator" section and follow the directions.

 

[pegaso27]

I

First, you need to get or download the owner's manual for your model. Then go to the "bellows resistance regulator" section and follow the directions.

Hi Tartan Ghostie.
Thank you for your answer.
I already performed the bellows calibration as per the manual.
I have the bellows in X light and with the adjustment button almost to the "softest" position and still feel the bellows very hard.
It could be that is the nature of the instrument and I need to get used to it, but I wanted to be sure.
Thanks for your advise anyway!