I was over SamAsh (Tampa) the other day to pic up a new Mic and was talking to the Keyboard dept. manager who I've become friendly with. I mentioned my recent purchase of my Roland VP550 voice processing keyboard and how much fun I was having with it. He was super suprised that I had been able to get my hands on one and told me that he had only gotten two and they were sold on the same day to music directors (church and school), and that Roland had only shipped 100 to America and he wasn't expecting another shipment in the near future.

My question is, why do companies like Roland sometimes hold out on a popular product (much like Toyota and the Prius for which I had to wait as well as pay a hefty premium). Is it to create a pent-up demand? What could some of the possible reasons be? 100 is barely enough to demo the product throughout the country. I think I got mine because I paid in advance through the net and then waited for one to arrive. I had no idea there might be a shortage at the time, as the big three are usually more than ready to take your money with a surplus of product. What's the deal?

chas