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Trading an FR-8X for an FR-4X

N

nico79

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Hello everyone,
I have a Roland FR-8X and I have the opportunity to get a Roland FR-4X in perfect condition at a low price. I wanted to know if I would really be losing anything in the process. I have to admit that I'm not very good with the menu, so I rely quite a bit on the screen that's on the FR-8X.
I always play with headset, and using the battery.
I am interrested in a less heavy accordion, but is is not a major issue.
I am used to big accordions Accordiola, Bugari Artist
The exchange would allow me to free up 1500$, which I would use for something else.
Any opinion on the trade?
Did someone did it?
Would I loose something ?
 
nico79 said:
what do you mean "the palm shift"?
Click to expand...
In accordions that have one, it's the longish coupler switch set into the outside edge of the treble keyboard and generally activated by the palm of the hand: Hence, palm switch .
In modern accordions, it usually engages the "Master" setting (=all reeds playing together).
In accordions from the 1920s/30s and before, it was frequently designed to cycle through two or more reed combinations in sequence each time the "palm switch" was actuated, often with a little window on top of the treble box indicating precisely which reeds were in play.🙂
The disadvantage of this arrangement is that the switch is located in an exposed position and quite easily activated accidentally.🙂
There's a palm switch showing along the outside edge of the treble keyboard in this picture:
1747388390616.jpeg
 
Last edited:
Ha ok!!
I didn't kbow the name...even in my language.
So this would be the only really missing part
 
Ciao Nico! Other than the palm switch, you will lose a few treble keys, 37 versus 41. 8x also has chin switches.

The 4x has less batteries, and you have to replace them, rather than charge in the accordion like the 8x. 12.25 kg versus 9.1 kg.

8x has 14 switches, 4x has 7, changed to 14 with a “shift” switch. 8x has 2 orchestra, 4x only has 1. On the 4x you can’t combine orchestra with organ. I believe there are a few other areas where the 8x has more programming/sound options.

8x has easier editing on the accordion itself. Both have 100 “sets”. 8x has a lot more “user programs” available.

I find the 4x to be plenty for my needs, which are modest. Good luck with your decision. In bocca al lupo, Tom
 
nico79 said:
Ha ok!!
I didn't kbow the name...even in my language.
So this would be the only really missing part
Click to expand...
You say that you depend on the screen for editing. I own a 4x and I can tell you that the screen on the 4x will be very inconvenient for editing. If you get a 4x you will have to use the software editor.

The piano version of the 8x has 41 keys (F to A) and the piano version of rhe 4x has 37 keys (G to G.) I have no problem with that, but if it’s a major consideration for you, don’t get the 4x.

Then, there’s the question of batteries. The 8x has a lithium ion battery that can be charged in the accordion. The 4x has ten
Individual cells that must be charged in an external charger, and replaced more often than the battery in the 8x.. Once again, if that will be inconvenient for you, don’t make the switch. My 4x doesn’t leave my house anymore, so I use it only on the AC adaptor and I don’t use batteries at all.

The question of weight, however, is very significent. The 4x is much lighter than the 8x.
 
Tom said:
Ciao Nico! Other than the palm switch, you will lose a few treble keys, 37 versus 41. 8x also has chin switches.

The 4x has less batteries, and you have to replace them, rather than charge in the accordion like the 8x. 12.25 kg versus 9.1 kg.

8x has 14 switches, 4x has 7, changed to 14 with a “shift” switch. 8x has 2 orchestra, 4x only has 1. On the 4x you can’t combine orchestra with organ. I believe there are a few other areas where the 8x has more programming/sound options.

8x has easier editing on the accordion itself. Both have 100 “sets”. 8x has a lot more “user programs” available.

I find the 4x to be plenty for my needs, which are modest. Good luck with your decision. In bocca al lupo, Tom
Click to expand...
When an italian says "in bocca al Lupo. '. The correct response is " Crepe il Lupo "

As taught to me by my Italian Triestina mother
 
  • Well Done!
Reactions: Tom
The only reason I went from an fr7 to the FR4x is the size. Have no issues with sound, battery life. Even with FISA Suprema, going to pass, go with the compact version. Aftertouch, shorter keybed and master bar not an issue for me.
 
Dingo40 said:
This is all Greek to me!😄🙂
Click to expand...
It has to do with luck, Dingo. The Italians say, “In the mouth of the wolf.” This means “good luck” because the wolf has not (yet) eaten you. Some people take on a metaphorical meaning, in that the founder of Rome was a wolf who protected her cubs by hiding them in her mouth. The response is “Kill the wolf!” I guess if you kill the wolf, she won’t be able to actually eat you. I have heard this expression from my Italian friends, but I am American, so the Italians on here can correct me…….

….and I have yet to see a wolf that I have positively identified. They are around, but pretty sneaky.
 
Giovanni said:
When an italian says "in bocca al Lupo. '. The correct response is " Crepe il Lupo "

As taught to me by my Italian Triestina mother
Click to expand...
One translates to "the wolf is creeping" and the 2nd is more "in the mouth of the wolf", or "good luck to the wolf". That from my friend that lives in Italy... lol

Seems that when you want to wish someone good luck, the "bocca" is the better and more often used term, and that from someone who's Italian is limited to spaghetti and pizza. :D :D
 
nico79 said:
Hello everyone,
I have a Roland FR-8X and I have the opportunity to get a Roland FR-4X in perfect condition at a low price. I wanted to know if I would really be losing anything in the process. I have to admit that I'm not very good with the menu, so I rely quite a bit on the screen that's on the FR-8X.
I always play with headset, and using the battery.
I am interrested in a less heavy accordion, but is is not a major issue.
I am used to big accordions Accordiola, Bugari Artist
The exchange would allow me to free up 1500$, which I would use for something else.
Any opinion on the trade?
Did someone did it?
Would I loose something ?
Click to expand...
Nico, this is just a personal opinion. I have an FR8X and and FR4X. They are, in my opinion completely different instruments. The FR8X is powerful, has a lot more presence, and more controls. The FR4X is quieter and seems more mellow to me. I acquired the FR4X first. When the big discount on the FR8X happened my plan was to sell the FR4X but after using them both I decided keep them both.
 
I'm a bit of an odd one out here.
I had an Fr8xb and an Fr3xb.
Sold the Fr8 and kept the Fr3 which I'm quite happy with even though the Fr8 is a far superior instrument, the 3 suits me just fine as I have other "proper" accordions to play with.
Perhaps a test drive(play) at your music shop would help you decide.
 
nico79 said:
Hello everyone,
I have a Roland FR-8X and I have the opportunity to get a Roland FR-4X in perfect condition at a low price. I wanted to know if I would really be losing anything in the process. I have to admit that I'm not very good with the menu, so I rely quite a bit on the screen that's on the FR-8X.
I always play with headset, and using the battery.
I am interrested in a less heavy accordion, but is is not a major issue.
I am used to big accordions Accordiola, Bugari Artist
The exchange would allow me to free up 1500$, which I would use for something else.
Any opinion on the trade?
Did someone did it?
Would I loose something ?
Click to expand...
Hi Nico, I went the other way and sold my 1 year old 4X and got a new 8X. Although the 4X is newer and has some nice features like Octave +/- registers etc. that the 8X doesn't, the 4X does not have the dynamics that a 8X has. Also, forever taking out and charging the 10 AA batteries was a pain. I ended up with 3 sets of batteries that I rotated. I would not go back to the 4X because I have added 40+ new UPGs that I purchased from Michael Bridge and Richard Noel that has given me lots of pleasure when I play live. It comes down to what you will use it for, I found playing live every week that the 8X gives me far more than the 4X did. One other point, for both the 4X and 8X I use the Roland editor on my laptop - not the screen. Kind Regards, Karl
 
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