Hey thanx guys. Great feedback.I'll browse through that FR-18 site shortly ,Russ.

My left shoulder is the problem ( I had clavicle bone partially excised and bursar clean up done ) and I solved that pain problem, partially ,for guitar playing, since the op., by using a padded lambswool sleeve on my guitar strap ( I'm right handed ). The downward pressure on the damaged area is way less and I'm getting through a gig a lot better.
BTW..I prefer to have the accordion strap fitted the same way as a guitar strap ie. behind and over the left shoulder. I did a gig or two early days and the right hand shoulder only strap position meant at times the strap slid off my right shoulde and I was trying to sing lead, find the strap, deal with the interruption, etc etc...said i'd never do that again.

BUT, I'm still bothered with the lateral and other type movement require to pull and push a Cajun box bellows ( I can only play in short bursts ). Guitar playing with the left arm slightly elevated for long periods in a set also gives me some discomfort.

So..for me...the FR-18 needs to be very friendly in the bellows effort department..that's the priority. I think I can counter the weight issue to a certain extent.
The thing with my post op. recovery is that the surgeon said in a few months I'll be as good as I'm ever going to be ...it may not be 100% but a LOT better than it was pre-op. Right now I'm shying away from Cajun box playing as I do lead vocals as well, and the discomfort and effort is distracting.

Email