http://www.ocala.com/article/20100915/ARTICLES/100919797/1402/NEWS?Title=Behold-the-7-000-keyboard

It's very brief but the real first indication of what to expect.

One second. The US debut of the T4 was at an old age home?

And all they got was a 1 minute video clip?

Doesn't appear to be anyone in the audience under 70. Does this say something about the appeal of arranger keyboards to young people? Will it ever reach any audience other than what you see in this video? Is it even possible for manufacturers to change the image of arrangers at this point? Just asking.

chas

If this is Ocala Florida, I'm really pissed, because i'm 30 minutes from there and I wasn't notified there was a demo here???? Do I have the right Ocala?

Wait a minute, did I see $7000!!!!

Holy Cow. Forget it.

That was fantastic WOW!!!

Common new S Series!

Most of my clients are from 45 or so to near your age, Chas.

The people who buy high end arrangers were usually players in a band at one time, are now retired, and now have more room (and money) in their life to start up again...some even play out.

One guy told me he was spending the kids' inheritance on his new instrument.

Ex-piano players usually buy CVP Clavinova, especially for the realistic grand piano action, and they tend to use the auto features less than Tyros players do, for instance.

As long as Yamaha (and others) keep making changes to, or adapting their arrangers (styles especially) to fit in that window of the 45-80 age bracket (where the money is) as it moves from generation to generation,, there's going to be a market for them.

Young people aren't interested...they want synths...they also don't have the money for a high or mid range arranger.

The high and mid range arranger buyers' age bracket remains the same...the arranger simply changes along with it at the same rate...that's how it's been working the last 20 or so years I've been in the business.

In other words, the age variation has remained the same over the years, with youngest buyers around 40-45, with some a little younger.

There will always be 40-45 year old...we just have to make sure the newer arrangers embrace the music they grew up with.

Ian



[This message has been edited by ianmcnll (edited 09-15-2010).]

If the drums are better, and from what little I heard they seem to be, and the vocal harmonizer is usable, it may finally what it should have been some years ago!!
The lead sounds have always been good.
DonM

You do have to wonder how many of those older folks are going to be concerned about the extra weight and size of a 76 key arranger as opposed to the 61 key version. It's not like they are going to be lugging it around anywhere...