I’ve been playing the Roland FR-1XB for six months now, and I genuinely couldn’t be happier with it. As a novice accordionist with a background in piano and guitar, I wanted something that felt approachable but would still grow with me as I improved—and this instrument has been exactly that.
The design is sleek and compact, but it still feels solid and high-quality. It’s light enough to practice comfortably, yet it never feels flimsy or cheap. The layout of the buttons and controls makes sense, and it didn’t take me long to feel at home.
It sounds great. I am enjoying the standard accordion sounds so much that I haven’t found the need to really test out the vast number of other sounds, but I’m sure I will eventually.
The bellows are really responsive and it somehow doesn’t have any ‘digital’ feel to it whatsoever. I’m actually astounded how a digital device can sound and feel so ‘real’. The highlight for me so far has been finally mastering “Hallelujah” — it sound amazing (even for a novice like me), and I can honestly say that I enjoy playing it more than I’ve ever enjoyed playing anything on the guitar (which I’ve been playing for about 30 years)
I also love the extra functionality—silent practice with headphones (my wife also appreciates that!), the wide variety of tones, and how easy it is to explore different voices. It’s intuitive and rewarding to use.
Honestly, I can’t think of a single downside. It’s been an inspiring instrument to learn on, and it’s something I can see myself using for years to come. If you’re thinking about getting into the accordion or looking for a versatile digital option, I wholeheartedly recommend the Roland FR-1XB.
