As said above... the only real way of demoing a new keyboard is to take your headset to a shop and play the instruments extensively.

It prolly takes you atleast an hour to get a good idea about a keyboard/arranger and the options, styles and sounds quallity.

It's also a good idea to take what you are currently using, set it up next to the new gear, and A/B them rigorously. If you have a pocket recorder, patch that in as well, then go home and listen again objectively to the recording of the two (you hear things differently when you are not playing), and decide then. I am VERY slow when it comes to gear purchases. I'd rather go back to the store two or three times (if it is local!) and get it right than have to return something (and take a restocking hit) I have purchased...

Living in a very small market in upstate New York I feel your pain... I usually drag my wife on a overnight field trip to a major market like Phillie or New York....Only have a Guitar Center here and most of the employees are just kids usually more interested in talking among themselves instead of helping a customer..... They just want you to walk up to the register with your item and pay... that's it... So it is a little mini vacation and off to the music store in a major market.... I have good luck doing this finding the right sales people...

I've bought my last 3 keyboards from online dealers. Both had 30 day return policies and no restocking fees. I've been 100% satisfied. In my case Yamaha had plenty of demos before their keyboards were released and my European friends were able to buy theirs several months before any US release. Their reviews made me more comfortable with my purchase. Having 30 days to audition an instrument in your own home's acoustics scores high marks with me. Good luck! -charley

Lucky,

Your luck is in at least as far as the Korg PA500 is concerned ! As generally known by now I purchased one two months ago and have been programming extensively,now drawing to its final stages. I am uploading several extensive sound/style demos of my work on Rapidshare shortly, within a week that is, so just check this forum as far as that is concerned. Sorry I cannot help you out with all the other keyboards but it's a decent start I should think, and judging from your initial interest also within your (financial) target group.

regards,
John Smies
Holland

You oughta check out Alto Music in Middletown, NY. Huge store with an impressive array of keyboards on the floor. Great prices, too.

Tim

Lucky,
I have purchased 4 arrangers without hearing them first. My first was a Yamaha 740. I purchased it because it had a return policy. I could try it for a couple of weeks and send it back if I didn't like it.

My Ketron X1 I purchased because Uncle Dave Boyd said it was a top of the line arranger. I bought it from Don Mason.

I purchased Don Mason's Ketron Sd-1 because I liked my x1 and I knew if Don liked it, it would be good for me.

I purchased my Roland G-70 again because Fran and Diki were saying good things about it on the forum.

It is not a life long commitment. If you purchase a totl arranger and it doesn't fit you then sell it.

Tom

[This message has been edited by Tom Cavanaugh (edited 05-11-2010).]

i recently purchase my new keyboard after thorough online research. youtube is good to listen to demos & some owners playing. read online reviews like what we have here. i joined music forum & get some opinions. i also downloaded the manual & read it through. at the same time i did visit the shop & just tried it out without the support of any salesman. well, he did show me where the keyboard is & made sure it got power. & finally i decided to right model for me