Hell, yeah..that sounds GREAT and you played great...good tight band and I love that raunchy sound setting you have on the Roland..what is it??..is it an on-board FX or did you download something.?
What did you play through..that Powered Mixer or a stand alone amp?

The issues of battery life etc . are noted, but, hey, there's always ways and means around that..like good planning, using mains power, back up battery?, back -up instrument, etc.
If you're just noodlin' around on your front porch andthere's a system breakdown you just stop playing take it to the repairman, but at a gig you never, ever start without a back up plan...

I'd like to think the Roland people are noting these feedback comments and planning a stage 2 long life battery...anyone know??

Even quality non digital instruments can play up...like busted reeds, buttons, flappers and keys breaking, wax blocks melting in the heat, internal mikes feeding back like crazy , etc...you must always have contingency plans for a gig.
And for me, the lesser price of an FR-18 allows you room to buy or retain a back up of some sort.

Man..I'd love one of these Rolands..all to gain and little to lose in my opinion.

Thought this site and tech. info. was interesting.

http://www.themusicroom-online.co.uk/product_info.php/products_id/4780

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In Australia we pay over $1000 more for the Roland than you guys in the USA ( man, you guys get stuff SO cheap over there, music gear, clothes, cars, fuel, etc. )..and our dollars about the same..UK pounds price? refer web site..not sure how that price compares.

Think I'll check with Roland Australia for Service Support capabilities..that's extremely important!..don't want to be stranded with an instrument that suddenly won't work and nobody knows how to fix !

BTW..knowing that an FR-18 would cost somewhere between $1800 and $2800, what would you pay for, say, a, new Dino Baffetti 9 switch with internal pick ups?..and who would sell them in the USA?

I've also read that the DBs are quite heavy in that 9 switch configuration...another reason to go Roland if you can get the performance out of it.

Check out Liberty Bellows in Philly on line. They have a 9 switch Fantini in GCF at a ridiculously low price. Anyone who wants a real triple row should jump on this one.

Sounds *very* good to me!

--bn

Thanks Big. and thanks for keeping the board up and for the teaching vids.