Wow !

Are times a changing or what?

For years, Keyboard Magazine, the leading USA keyboard magazine has completely ignored even the mention of arranger keyboards and then ... suddenly, about a eight months ago, there appeared a three (consectutive) page ad for the Technics KN6000 keyboard. Then came the the "first ever" arranger keyboard review of the Roland VA7 and in the following month, a review of the Casio MZ2000.

I just received the latest April 2001 issue of Keyboard Magazine and FOR THE FIRST TIME, in their annual NAMM 2001 new gear report, they have devoted an entire section specifically to Arranger Keyboards. Most of the new arranger keyboards discussed on this board are listed: Casio MZ2000, Solton SD1, Roland VA7, Technics KN6500, Yamaha 9000pro, etc. I couldn't believe my eyes. Are arranger keyboards finally "coming out of the closet"?

The most interesting thing to read are the prices given. Solton SD1 $3,999, Yamaha 9000pro $3,999. I hope no one on this board is a sucker enough to pay the so called list price. Technics is even worse, not providing a list price at all. I have known some dealers having the gall to tell me that the KN6000/6500 list price is $6,500. This basically consitutes a $4,100 (or more) mark up. I don't mind paying the dealer a fair commission but this is complete highway robbery. In reality, the actual street price (US dollars) being paid for ALL three of the new afore-mentioned keyboards is around $3,000 (US dollars). Even at this price, the dealer is making a substantial commission as the wholesale prices are around $2,200 to $2,400. I have received a number of emails from uninformed members on this forum who complained of paying highly inflated prices for their keyboards after finding out later that they could have gotten it MUCH cheaper. I don't want to insult the respected integrity of the honest dealers on this forum, but I also feel I need to educate and inform the other less informed members here so they can be educated keyboard consumers.

- Scott http://scottyee.com