Funny, I was visiting the Roland booth to play the "Prelude", but there was someone playing so I turned around and saw the V-accordion, since being an accordion player of many years, i started playing, got the attention of the guy in charge of that division, he was impressed that I not only could play but I was young. He was also interested in the fact I knew about arrangers and so forth.

Long story short, he wants me to carry the v-accordions and possibly arrangers too.

The Prelude came out because Roland realized the economic times are getting tough, so it would be easier to sell a under $1000 keyboard than a $4000 board.

Sorry Roland Fans, no big announcement of a G70 replacement, not even an upgrade.

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so, how does prelude sounds like? is it really a GW8 in a disguse? and what will be the price, do you know?

Hi Frank ,

Any news about an E80 replacement ?

Just curios , still digging the newly upgraded T-3 !!

Later ,

Gary 

Interesting..., in another post we speculated on the Prelude. I predicted the price to come in under $1,000 (and based my assumptions on it being Roland's replacement for their lowest arranger the E-09.., which was priced very reasonably). However, I think it would be a big mistake for them to price this above the GW-8. I still predict the price not to exceed $800. If Roland puts a price tag of $999 on this thing.., it'll be way overpriced IMO. Considering the possibility this is just a GW-8 without patch modify, and added speakers..., and the GW-8 sells for about $850

Squeak



[This message has been edited by squeak_D (edited 01-18-2009).]

Roland need to bundle up all the styles for the various GW-8 models and the new Prelude, work their in-house magic - and put them out as an add-on pack for the E-80 and G-70.

If they think they're not going to sell many new $4000 keyboards in these troubled times, they should be up-selling off the back of the ones they've already got out there.

Go for it, Frank! We'll have one-stop-shopping on the East Coast as you gradually become the Home Depot of the musical instruments world!

I posted in the other thread. Are you going to get a demo Audya in as soon as they hit these shores?

Well from what I was told, the Prelude is sort of a Gw8 with speakers.

They were kinda hush hush about what's next, but it didn't look like they were going to bring in much other than the prelude. I can and probably am wrong, but Roland is eying the economy very closely.

I'm sure George is better connected and can get the scoop.

Lucky, i appreciate the 1 stop, and I have ordered my Audya about 2 years ago so I assume I one of the first to get it in, I will definitely have a Audya day if you guys can make it.

Frank


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I would buy that for my E 80,
Most of the styles I find on the net for the E 80 leave a lot to be desired. I am a player not a programmer.
Bebop

I'm not 100% sure in remembering this but...If I recall Frank, as You were Starting and working Your Butt off (and Still are)to built a Successful Music Business Roland Kinda was their usual not Interested Boneheads!

You are Successful because You have great Character,Honesty,Integity and sell great Products...You go the Extra Mile just as Gearge Kaye does on the West Coast.

Maybe This Slow Economy is a good thing for Roland. Especially in this product division. Maybe they can get there Heads turned arround straight...Very Simple Roland US...First talk with Your two top Sales people,The people who actually sell the Keyboards George Kaye (California) and Frankie (East Coast)...Oh Yes LISTEN...LISTEN....LISTEN....

Next Hire a Products Support Specialist like Yamaha's Steve Demming (Not sure I have the last name correct)...They don't come any better...See if Dave(formally with GEM would be Great!)Maybe even would accept an offer?

Yes Roland, Without a Doubt Frankie can sell a few Expensive V-5 accordions...But at the Same Time Hundred's of Korg PA-500's,PA-800's,PAx2,....Yamaha PSR500,PSR700,PSR900,TYRO'S3 and Ketron Products are being sold!

I hope You are reading This Roland, because if You are planning on Dumping the European Market, It's a completely different ballgame here in the US...You have Completely failed in Your Previous Marketing attempts the last 3-4 Years in the US.

By they way I 've been a Roland Product user for many Years. If fact I Have a Roland RD-300sx Stage Piano and a E-60 Arranger in My Home Now!...Plus More...

Enough Said Harold E. Surrena

Any rumors or words about a V-accordion generation 2? I was tempted to get one, but they just aren't quite there yet in the sound department for me. Very close, but the dynamics and certain effects like bellows shakes and stuff just don't come out quite right. Very cool concept though.

Harold S,
I second EVERYTHING you said about Frank.

Frank, count me in for Audya day!
Lee

The opposite is more likely, surely?

Roland have never had any difficulty selling their arrangers in Europe, where they've always been the number one choice of pro and semi-pro players.