Which just goes to show you the pitiful, lackluster and downright disheartening condition of pride of quality workmanship not only in the USA, i.e. (Ford, Chevy, Dodge) but the World in general, i.e. (Yamaha, Korg, Roland). Although never having owned a Korg or Roland product I really can't speak negatively about them personally. But from what I read on various Keyboard Forums on the internet, Korg and Roland are no exception.

I think the biggest quandary in being able to make exceptionally good quality and reliable Keyboards or any other product for that matter is: 1. Not constructing the product using 'quality' parts: 2. The Company not being willing to spend the necessary money to attract and hire personnel that are truly qualified to do the job right: 3. Companies that try to save a buck (penny wise but pound foolish) by parting out the Manufacturing end of things to under-qualified Countries (with under-qualified Factories) and under-qualified workers.

To give you an example of deteriorating quality just think back about 25 years or so ago when home Stereo Receivers were built like tanks and weighed about as much as one too. They lasted a lifetime it seemed and all because of their quality expert craftmanship and the quality parts placed in them. The sound produced by those solidly built Receivers back then was breathtaking and astonishing to say the least.

>> Now fast forward to todays Stereo Receivers and what do you mostly get? How about light as a feather, cheap parts with most everything made of plastic. And 99 times out of a 100 the sound doesn't hold a candle to Receivers made years ago with expertly crafted and high quality parts. And that 1% that does sound like those of yesteryear, were most assuredly made from quality parts from an upstanding quality focused and driven Company who's main work ethic IMO is not in the pursuit of becoming filthy rich but in the pursuit of perfection itself.

Btw, Lexus which is a subsidiary of Toyota, has a slogan they use. Do you know what it is? "The Relentless Pursuit of Perfection".

Do you also know that Lexus vehicles are among the most problem free vehicles ranked out of a 100 from JD Power and Associates? In fact the Lexus SC430 recorded the best score ever recorded by Power. But it is sad to note that even Lexus's ranking for quality has declined 14% for all its Models from just a few years ago.

>> A sign of the times??? Let's hope not!

Yamaha - A sign of the times??? Let's hope not from them either!!

Best regards,
Mike

[This message has been edited by keybplayer (edited 09-15-2004).]