The problem most are missing here (except George) is He Works For Ketron USA! And is it not curious he did not have a "Regular/Stock" Audya 5 for Fran and Donny to demo??? Yes AJ can and should get paid for his "Enhancements" but this does not "Look" professionally appropriate.

Just my 2 cents.

Dan,
Thanks for your explanation of what AJ does. What I still do not understand is if Fran visited AJ to try out the Audya, is AJ selling keyboards or just modifications. If he is selling keyboards, this is where I have a problem. If only modifications where customers send them their keyboards bought from retail stores I have absolutely no problems. AJ certainly can sell after market products. It would just be a problem for me if he was selling keyboards and having a job with a keyboard company. Just so everyone here is clear, this is not allowed by any of the major keyboard companies.

------------------
George Kaye
Kaye's Music Scene
Reseda, California
818-881-5566
www.kayesmusicscene.com

Hi George...Our visit to AJ's home was to have a hands on play time of the Audya and if possible ..the Tyros4...

It was not a trip to purchase at all...The units AJ had at his home were the modified keyboards..I believe they were his own..maybe one was for a customer, i am not sure...

Prices were never quoted or brought up by I, Donny, or AJ..

The only price I was made aware of..was the AJAM Sonic package..that I did not mention, and should be between AJ and his customers..

I know that AJ works on a contractual basis..and is not an "Employee" as we would understand....If there are no limitations in his contract that would keep him from engineering on his own..I don't see a conflict at all..

And since the option lies with Ketron..if they want his completed up dated package...why could he not offer this to existing customers and "new" customers too.

Also I believe AJ's company offers a 2 year warranty..(probably because the factory warranty is voided)..So If AJ's company purchases an Audya, as a third party..modifies the keyboard..and resell the unit, with his warranty..

I don't see how any warranty issue comes up at all... All AJ has done is software related. Loading new styles and sounds and a tweaked OS should have NO impact on any hardware issues.

Does loading a Yamaha Regi-Stick void the warranty...? Of course not!

And, although Microsoft provide resources online to learn Windows, no-one expect THEM to publish "Windows for Dummies" for free. If AJ has written a BETTER manual than Ketron, why SHOULDN'T he sell it? Everybody bitches about not enough third party guides and DVD's, but here's someone doing it, and all you got is grief for him?

Chill, fellas!

BTW, if the original posts hadn't been taken down, most of this would have been self-evident. I can't for the life of me think why anyone would remove them...

AJ,

maybe you can post audio samples of this NEW stuff you've worked on,
especially new African styles, new audio guitars, etc

thanks

"I don't see how any warranty issue comes up at all... All AJ has done is software related. Loading new styles and sounds and a tweaked OS should have NO impact on any hardware issues."

Let's say a part time / under contract Yamaha or Korg engineer/product specialist bought keyboards for wholesale prices and had them shipped to their home. Then that same employee modified the keyboards and resold them with a longer warranty.

This would never happen with Yamaha or Korg.

To be honest, I don't see how AJ can offer any warranty himself, anyway. Does he realize the cesspool of technical support and parts issues he is getting himself into. Mind you, if 'technical support' involves only being available for two days a week I am not sure you could exactly call that a tough gig!

You won't find a Yamaha or Korg employee doing this because Yamaha and Korg products don't NEED this doing to them. But if they did, I am pretty sure that quite a few of you would be happy they did...

I'm sorry, guys, but I simply see this as just one MORE indicator of how bad arranger sales are, today. The Audya is a hell of a good sounding, well styled product. But there's little or no distributorship, they can't afford to support it properly, they can't afford to fix it properly, they can't afford full-time staff, and they couldn't afford to wait until it worked well before they released it.

Sadly, I think that eventually, all that will be left is Yamaha (and maybe Casio) making bland toys for boys and girls of all ages. Let's face it, consolidation has never made anything BETTER... Just homogenized, bland, and indifferent to niche needs.

Glad I got my G70 before the rot set in!

Glad i got my AUDYA4 to upgrade my G70
of course i still use my G-70, for 10% of my repertoire


i think it's great AJ is dedicated and is improving the AUDYA in the first place.

AJ should work for Ketron FULL-TIME

Prince Ajua Alemanji, CM (yes he's a "real" Prince) is doing a fine job, & has always been a good friend. Instead of all the hoopla & silly nonsense of the unknown here on SZ over the Audya why not privately email him and discuss your needs and issues with him. I'm sure you'll get all the info you desire from the horses mouth.

Donny,

In what country is he a prince?

Tom