Great post, Al.


Al, I've been retired from Yamaha since April this year, and my email is flooded with queries about the new Tyros5's and, appreciatively, my personal opinion on the instruments.

I won't be seeing one for a little while...a friend who lives nearby, and who has a 9000Pro (and a Tyros3) has ordered a Tyros5-76, and I always help him set up his arranger to suit his way of playing. But, at least I'll get to spend a bit of quality time on it, and be able to express a hands on opinion.

Someone had said on another thread that the Yamaha Tyros (and PSR) are more than just arrangers...there is a sense of community and fellowship that goes with the purchase, especially now since we have so many great Yamaha-centric forums, both old and new, that bring players together in order to share their music and tips and tricks.

This is certainly not meant as a slight against the company, but Roland would kill for one-quarter of the excitement that gets generated when Yamaha launches a new arranger. The BK-9, which is an excellent little keyboard, and despite the fact that it is considerably cheaper, barely got a blip on the radar, compared to the big splash created by Tyros5.

Why? It's an excellent product, as we have heard by the demos, and, by those who use the instruments.

Perhaps it's marketing? Or maybe it's that certain feeling I mentioned above? Korg is catching on quickly, and we see big numbers on their arranger forums since the release of their last models. I suspect the PA4X will make a bigger splash that the PA3X, as Korg are very competitive, and want more and more of the juicy arranger pie. A music store has to sell a lot of guitars to make the same amount of profit that one TOTL arranger generates. I worked in retail for several years, and doubt things have changed much since I was there.

I honestly can't understand the anti-Tyros sentiment displayed here. We are all lucky enough to find a bunch of people who play the same type of instrument as we do, and let's face it, some people (who imagine they are pros) look down on arranger players, as we have seen that here on SZ more than once. We have to stick together.

And then there are those who only (or mostly) focus on the negative, and, you rarely see an encouraging, supportive, happy, or even humorous post by them...my old aunt used to say, "When these kind of people die, even heaven won't meet their expectations."

The S950, and especially the S750 have been selling very well, according to what I hear from friends in retail, on the Yamaha forums, and also judging by my emails. The Tyros4 sold more than the first three models combined. The success and subsequent exposure of one (or any) arranger maker definitely spills over to the others, as everyone has their favorite brand.

So, I believe you are right, Al...the popularity of arrangers (of any brand) shown recently, definitely reaffirms these instruments are more than just alive and well.

Ian