The same situation pretty much exists in the largest city in the country.... NY. I live about 2 and a half hrs away from NY city but I am more than happy to drive there to try boards. I have not fared particularly well. I have gotten to see all of the Yamaha line at various places, but no Technics or Ketron at all in any of the major music stores. Roland arrangers are pretty scarce as well, but can usually be found. I am also 3 hrs from Philly. I haven't done much better there ( course I've never been to UD's place either. )

The only city of any appreciable size that is relatively close ( about an hr from me ) is Scranton, Pa. There is one dealer who does have some arrangers there, but he isn't always current. I think he believes that the I-30 he has is still a current model. Another guy in Scranton has an ancient looking GEM model. He has no clue as to how it works, and although I liked a few of the sounds, I didn't spend a lot of time playing with it.

Still, before I consider purchasing an SD1, I'm going to drive the 4 + hrs or so to DanO's place. I'm just not willing to plunk that kind of money down on any board that I haven't laid my hands on to try out first.

[This message has been edited by Bluezplayer (edited 07-02-2002).]