Bill, another interesting point: following Tyros 1's initial release, many USA dealers were having to return their unsold Tyros inventory, while German dealers weren't able to keep enough of them in stock to meet consumer demand.

US consumer appeal for arranger keyboards still remains low in spite of recent efforts by arranger manufacterers & US keyboard magazine reviews & ad exposure to promote them here. The key is figuring out what it is about high end arrangers that isn't appealing to US musicians. Is it their high price, embarassment of playing along to auto-accompaniment loops, or simply their past reputation as toys for people who can't really play? Whatever the reason, I think professional OMB arranger musician-entertainment is far less accepted and respected here than in Germany. Then again, Schlager music's more popular in Germany too.

Scott