Originally posted by keybplayer:
The Big Three, and Ketron, market their high-end arrangers to an older crowd where many have actually accumulated "mucho dinero" over the years (just look at Don Mason and Fran as an example 
) and therefore the Big Three (and especially Yammie and Ketron it seems) feel it's okay to "gouge" the older crowd I guess. Retiree's and those in their 40's and 50's can, in many instances, afford the high(er) prices and apparently Yamaha and Ketron's guilt doesn't seem to bother them I reckon. In other words, "screw" their customer base and still feel good about it at the end of the day as they laugh themselves silly all the way to the bank. Or rather... 
Let's hope that's not the case but the prices prove otherwise, so I guess it's really true. 
And we.. uh, I mean 'you', the older crowd, are losing out as a result. Unless you don't mind being "gouged" that is. Because I certainly DO!
What we can hope and pray for is that Yamaha and Ketron will get some fiscal "sense" knocked into them and then reduce their prices in accordance to ethical and reasonable standards. If they're actually 'ethical' and 'reasonable' that is. 
So far they've proven otherwise to me and I would guess the vast majority of arranger keyboard players too - except maybe DonM and Fran perhaps. lol Just kidding you two. 
All the best,
Mike Mike,
Age has nothing to do with my decision and I am probably the brokest guy on here. My decision is made on buying the best tools for my profession. If the Audya cost $10,000, I wouldn't like it but I'd still probably get one, because it makes money for me. Besides it's a tax write-off as well.
It's a matter of priorities. Sometimes you get what you pay for.
Ketron has drug their feet lately, but at least they don't make you buy a new keyboard every two years in order to get a few new sounds and styles. Their upgrades are often dramatic and FREE.
You have to remember that the cost of a keyboard is not just what it takes to buy the components and build it, but also for the research and development necessary to stay up with or ahead of the market.
Yes I wish they were less expensive, but then everyone would have one.
The Audya (or the Tyros 4 or whatever) is about 1/4 of the cost of a new car, and that's before tax deduction. And you don't have to put gasoline in it.
DonM
Previous Topic
Index