Whilst most people seem to accept that Roland are pulling out of the range topping keyboard market, (I sincerely hope that this is not so), my thoughts are that this doesn't make sense when I consider their actions of late.

If they are only going to produce cheaper models such as the Prelude & GW-8, why should they discontinue the G70 & E80 - the development costs of these boards have already been paid so there is no saving in axing them unless, of course, they are not selling, and I find that hard to believe.

I for one, would still be willing to buy an E80 (to replace my EM 2000)
IF - it's going to be the last of Roland's range toppers.
I would only be nervous of buying one if it was about to be replaced by a new range topper - I believe it is - which would explain the only good reason for axing of the E80.

Although it may be due for replacement, the E80 is still a pretty good, top of range board and you would think that Roland would be happy to keep making continued sales from those people (like myself) who never buy range bottom boards. There are still many fine musician's gigging with G70's / E80's, who have used Roland for many years. Remember the E80 can take Rolands considerable range of sound cards too and - dare I say? - it would also make a good module with the development costs already paid and the full size board going in the skip.

Just doesn't make sense to axe a model and leave yourself with nothing in that market range if there is no new model to replace it. I'm sure that my case will not be the only instance of a lost sale so there must be a logical reason behind it - E80 Mk 2!
Tony

Roland still seem to have an interest in keeping the Atelier alive and well...why not high end arrangers?

Funny, but I can see them find a replacement for the E-80, but I have a feeling that a new G-series may not make it to market, least-ways, not in the near future.

Home orientated arranger products seem to generate more profit...maybe there will be an E-80 type instrument with 76 keys, and no E-60 replacement? Just another slightly less featured model with 61.

Ian

Hi Tony
E80s can be picked up new from a dealer for about £1800 these days, (They used to be about £2700) and they are also still showing on the Roland UK website. (As also is the E50/60)
A new TOTL arranger will probably be at least a grand more, so if you like the E80, then get one while there going cheap.
Hope this helps

Bill

Yes, the E80 is still available in Europe, but although this is unconfirmed, I suspect the only ones available are those already in the supply chain.

The issue is the wrangling over the Italian production facility, which continues.

Hi Ian,
You may be right about Roland just dropping the G70. As my interest lies only in the E80 (or it's successor), it wouldn't really matter to me but, I'm sure there are many G70 owners who would be devastated if this top of range Pro keyboard were not replaced.

Hi Bill,
I have already tried to locate a new E80 (within a radius of 60 miles from me) but not managed to find one. Easy enough to pick up a used model so my safest option is to wait and see if Roland announce a new E80 at Winter Namm and, if not, buy a used model then.

Hi Seamaster,
I didn't know there were problems in the production chain in Italy. I have recently written to Roland but they just told me to watch the web site. It would be a big help if they let us know what is happening but all the manufacturers seem to work in this way and leave us to make an educated guess. A bit annoying when we want to upgrade & dare not make a move in case we get it wrong.

Thanks guys for your replies - best wishes,
Tony

Hi Tony...it's just a fairly educated guess on my part, but I believe if there was a decent market for a specifically "pro" orientated TOTL arranger, then Yamaha would be making one.

Yes, they make the Tyros3, but although it is used by many pros, it was conceived as a high-end home keyboard.

Most of the sales of the T3 that I have been involved with, were to home/amateur users, and my clinics bear this out as well.

I can't see Yamaha not getting into the distinctly pro arranger market if there was a good profit to be made, so my guess, is that market research, and sales investigations, have shown the numbers just aren't big enough to warrant it.

If the GW-8 and Prelude have good sales figures, then this should confirm this as well.

I have heard that salespeople outside my territory, who sell Korg arrangers, have discovered that the PA-800 soundly trumps the PA2XPro in sales....now, this may be due to the price difference...or it may be due to the reasons I have stated above...one can only speculate without hard numbers from Korg.

I'd be very surprised at a new G-series, but, I can see a new E-series, which I believe will have the flagship model utilizing a 76 note key-bed, and a lesser model, using 5 octave.

Again, pure supposition on my part...with the advantage of working in this field for over 25 years.

The E-80 is a great instrument...I nearly bought one myself, but for it's weight...it is, in my opinion, a better arranger than the G-70, which itself, is no slouch.

You wouldn't go too far wrong in getting an E-80, especially since there seems to be no guarantee there will be a replacement model.

Ian

[This message has been edited by ianmcnll (edited 11-11-2009).]