MIDI retrofit

[Glenn]

Does anyone have experience in fitting midi to an already existing accordion?
In fact, does anyone have experience with "non Roland" midified accordions at all?

 

[JIM D.]

Hi Glenn; I do midi installations in my shop starting at 1100.00 USD. What accordion make and model are you considering for modification? JIM D.

 

[Glenn]

It was just an idea to see what that might cost for my Marinucci.
Sounds like a retrofit will cost twice the value of that accordion.
When I bought my Burini I looked at the price list and the MIDI kit was about 1000 euros even from the factory.

 

[JIM D.]

Midi retrofits are becoming less and less popular because of the used V-Accordions that are now showing up for sale. The price of a basic midi kit installed, an expander and the pedals and wires needed to use the system can easily cost over 2000.00 USD . Well for 2000.00 you can find a used Roland FR-3 or FR-3b and have the midi,expander and accordion all in one package and still have your old accordion for backup. JIM D.

 

[goldtopia]

I have a Weltmeister 72 bass Achat with BlueMidi installed for about £800 through Thomanns in Germany. The only problem is all the instructions are in German. The advantage is you still have the reeds for the natural acoustic sound. I read the new Roland FR8 have made improvements to the stiff bellows and electronic sound though I have not yet heard one. They cost about £4,000.