Anyone from Yamaha lurking on this forum or Steve Demming who has been sorely missed for a few months I have a question. Are there any plans to offer incentives to loyal Yamaha owners on the new Tyros similar to what was offered to other workstation owners like the Motif?

Thanks
Al

That would be a great idea! I for one, have owned many Yamaha keyboards, and a loyalty program would deffinitely keep me interested.

Yeah, that's going to happen. Not.
Yamaha's target market for arrangers is home hobbiests, not professionals or even semi-professionals. Those of us who play for money make up a very tiny percentage of their sales and they couldn't care less about us.
Of course, that's just my opinion. Prove me wrong.
DonM

I have to agree with Don. Altough his post may seems a little harsh I think he's right. Yamaha I think (clearly) showing its history doesn't give two darn hoots about the arranger area of customer service and customer loyalty.

Don's also right about the numbers who play for money as well. They aim for the home player and hobbiest (even though the bastards price one of their semi-pro keyboards at nearly $1,500), and it (in my opinion has a build quality of a cheap $200 Casio) Yeah I know some will disagree because of how often they play out with them, but seriously it's not built for the gigging musician.

Squeak

[This message has been edited by squeak_D (edited 10-03-2005).]

I think you are correct with that.

The professional and semiprofessional market is an unintended market for arranger manufacturers.

Arranger manufacturers have demonstrated that by still building their high-end arrangers for the home market and rarely if at all taking in to account the professional player’s wants and needs for an arranger keyboard.

You're right on with that comment. Can't understand why they build such cheap quality in a $1500 board. What I'd like to see is something the quality and build of the CVP 307 Clavinova but in a portable version. Can't understand why they won't. I sometimes use on gigs as a controller a Privia 400 that cost me $700 and it's built like a tank. Sure I understand there's R & D costs and more expensvie electronics etc. in the arranger board vs. the $700 Casio, but I think Yamaha can do better. I know they can cause I've owned 2 Clavinova's first the CVP 107 and now the 307. When I look at the pricing of the new Tyros 2 vs. Clav 303 or 305 tells me " The bicsuits ain't comin out with the gravy."

[This message has been edited by Stephenm52 (edited 10-03-2005).]

[This message has been edited by Stephenm52 (edited 10-03-2005).]

Don you are SPOT ON my friend!!!.....

Us pros know whats going on because we're in the trenches day in and day out....
home players dont realize......thank the lord theres other choices and options on the market to accomplish our tasks & make a living.....If it works for you do it.....if not move on and try something else that does. Geeeze its only plastic KB dont salivate over it...in a few months something else will come out to bait you along.




[This message has been edited by Dnj (edited 10-03-2005).]

I suppose I'm the odd man out here, because I'm a PRO musician who CONTINUES to enjoy performing with the Yamaha Tyros, finding it well suited for my live keyboard-vocal act. For high quality sound, live keyboard performance, balanced with portability (<30 lbs & small size), I still think Tyros1 (and now Tyros2 with 'new' Super Articulation voices & enhanced features) unsurpassed.

I refuse to hold (insecure) hang-ups :eek with the 'pro'vs 'hobbyist' syndrome that some others here appear to hold. I simply chose the keyboard that works best to inspire me musically and deliver my audience the best I have to offer. If I could do it with a kazoo, I'd of course save $, but imo, the Tyros, strikes that idea balance between terrific sound, features, ease of use, and portability. If the Yamaha Tyros2 is only aimed for the hobbyist (as you claim), that's fine with me, just as long as it CONTINUES to meet MY pro standards, and it does.

As far as the HIGH price of arrangers go, considering pros are able to write off (amortize depreciate) their equipment costs, the price is actually quite reasonable for the return on the investment, especially if you guys gig 'as often' as you claim.

Scott

Scott, I didn't say it wasn't a good choice for pros, I just said Yahama's primary target is home users.
As you know I was very happy with the Tyros. Now I'm very happy with the SD1. If T2 is better, I'll be happy with it. If not, who knows. I like to change about once a year, as that seems to work out better for me when you consider tax write-offs, resale value, etc.
I'm still considering Midjay with controller, but I'm in no hurry, because what I'm doing is working fine.
DonM

Scott, you're right that it pays off if the person has regular and frequent gigs. You'll of course see a return in your investment.

The thing is that not all of us perform anymore. So the initial purchase isn't something we see a return on (financially). It's just a huge chunk out of our pockets.

I know I've been hard on the PSR-3000 lately, but the only thing keeping that keyboard out of my home is its construction. $1,500 is a lot of money no matter how you look at it. I won't spend that kind of money on a keyboard that doesn't even have full size keys, full size pitch and mod wheels that are off good quality, Good switches (meaning contacts), ect.

Am I making sense? It's like buying a Mercedes Benz (that's a Mercedes on the inside, but the body is made by Daewoo:, but you end up paying the price of the Mercedes.

Squeak

[This message has been edited by squeak_D (edited 10-03-2005).]

[This message has been edited by squeak_D (edited 10-03-2005).]