I just noticed Frankieve’s posting about receiving a shipment of the Tyros 3 at the end of September. By coincidence, I traveled to his store yesterday to look at the Ketron SD5. Would you believe I never even knew it was the “Frankieve” who posts here?
This is not meant to be a commercial for Frank’s place, but I was so impressed with my first visit there (and so UN-impressed with other dealers) that I wanted to share it with you if you‘re also considering buying a Tyros. I feel this is the way a visit to a dealer SHOULD be, but most times it only happens in your dreams!
Frank and I had been speaking for a week on the phone about the Ketron SD5. He took the time to answer all my questions in a pleasant manner, and not once did I hear any “impatience” in his voice (as I got with other dealers in the past). I found him to be very knowledgeable about the Ketron (and the Yamaha’s and Korg’s also) as he advised me he was also a “player” using all three brands on the job when he had an event to do.
Feeling confident that it would be a good experience to visit Frank in his shop, I drove the 200 miles there and back. I was not disappointed. I walked into a very warm environment. Frank greeted me with a smiling “hello”…asked if he could buy me lunch, and did his best to make me comfortable.
Then I sat down at the SD5. I could not have asked for a better teacher. Having read so many horror stores on the Net about how difficult the navigation system was, I was expecting it to be a tedious process just learning the basics BY MYSELF. Frank knew the instrument so well, he had me playing complete songs within 10 minutes having given me a pretty good command of the keyboard. What originally looked like musical Greek to me, suddenly became simple because he took his time and made sure I understood what he said before he moved on to his next set of instructions.
That said I spent 2-3 hours playing the unit. All that time, Frank was only a shout away whenever I had a question. When I got done, I asked HIM to play it (while I listened) and was very pleased to hear him tinkle the keys because he’s also a very fine player. That’s important for me because he can understand and relate to me and my needs and questions much better.
I must add that his knowledge of the instruments (Yamaha, Korg, Ketron), how they’re made, what to look for in an arranger keyboard, the differences between them, info about the manufacturers, etc and just his great patter on musical observations in general….that alone was worth the trip. He really knows his stuff.
I could have seen an SD5 much closer to where I live, but after speaking to Frank on the phone for the whole week I could see he “knew his apples” and that he would be easy to work with.
’m sure you can tell by now that I’ve had my share of “dealers from H*ll” so I say it’s refreshing to find a dealer who isn’t one of these “high-pressure” acts and who has actually spent an appreciable amount of time playing the instrument he’s selling you. This will obviously be an expensive purchase that I will need time to think about so this was most appreciated.
Either way, Guitar Centers (and probably even the future Best Buys) will be second on my list from now on. I’d sooner travel a bit of a distance and get someone who knows their product and doesn’t drown you with high-pressure sales tactics than go the local “convenience store” route and end up buying something I didn’t want…..and didn’t know I didn’t want it until after I bought what the dealer wanted me to buy!
Even if you don’t go to Frank’s place, try and get a someone who operates like him. One who puts you in a “comfort zone” from the word “go!”
Lucky
There sure isn't in the Midwest, that I know of.
yet.
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