This weekend I finally dropped into my local Guitar Center, the retail store from whom I purchased my Kronos, and whom I had expected to go through for a few things I'm feeling I need. Now, I know Guitar Center is not the greatest, but it was the place I could count on to have most of the equipment in the store so I could touch it and try it. And, in return for that I've been willing to pay their prices.
To my shock and disappointment, I found all of their professional keyboards gone, instead finding keyboards with built-in speakers and few pro features. They had no stands in stock, no pedal controllers, etc. I am thanking that as the owner of a Kronos I won't be in the market for a new keyboard for quite some time, as I can't imagine how I'd go about shopping around for such a purchase today.
Does this mean that everyone is now buying this gear online? No more try before you buy? Enquiring minds want to know what YOU are doing.
Where do YOU buy your Kronos & related stuff?
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GregC
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Re: Where do YOU buy your Kronos & related stuff?
GC has been floundering for some years , especially the pro keyboard dept.mgibian wrote:This weekend I finally dropped into my local Guitar Center, the retail store from whom I purchased my Kronos, and whom I had expected to go through for a few things I'm feeling I need. Now, I know Guitar Center is not the greatest, but it was the place I could count on to have most of the equipment in the store so I could touch it and try it. And, in return for that I've been willing to pay their prices.
To my shock and disappointment, I found all of their professional keyboards gone, instead finding keyboards with built-in speakers and few pro features. They had no stands in stock, no pedal controllers, etc. I am thanking that as the owner of a Kronos I won't be in the market for a new keyboard for quite some time, as I can't imagine how I'd go about shopping around for such a purchase today.
Does this mean that everyone is now buying this gear online? No more try before you buy? Enquiring minds want to know what YOU are doing.
There might be a good location here and there.
Lots of folks like Sweetwater.
I get accessories thru Amazon , from the well known 3rd parties/music stores.
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QuiRobinez
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psionic311
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d
Pro Audiostar in New York online has the best prices of anyone in the US for me of course buying an expensive keyboard is almost like buying a car. You have to have a buyer's mentality and always offer lower than suggested price. Of course we all know that unless you just have money to burn. I think most keyboard players that play for a living are always looking for the best deals.
Last edited by benny ray on Thu Jun 02, 2016 2:30 pm, edited 1 time in total.
K2 Kronos 88, Mojo 61, Korg CX3, Roland FANTOM 7
I seem to remember reading that the demise of Guitar Centre has more to do with interference of venture capitalists than its performance as a store or demand for certain instruments:
http://www.ericgarland.co/2015/02/03/end-guitar-center/
http://www.ericgarland.co/2015/02/03/end-guitar-center/
Current Equipment:
Korg Kronos 2 88, Reface CS, Roland JV-1080, TE OP1, Moog Subsequent 37, Korg ARP Odyssey, Allen & Heath Zed 18, Adam F5, MOTU MIDI Express XT, Lexicon MX200 & MPX1, Yamaha QY700, Yamaha AW16G, Tascam DP008ex, Zoom H6, Organelle, Roland J6 & JU06A
Previous: Triton LE 61/Sampling/64MB/4GB SCSI, MS2000BR, Kronos 1 61, Monotribe, NanoKontrol, NanoKeys, Kaossilator II, Casio HT3000, Roland VP-03, Reface DX, Novation Mininova, MPC One
Korg Kronos 2 88, Reface CS, Roland JV-1080, TE OP1, Moog Subsequent 37, Korg ARP Odyssey, Allen & Heath Zed 18, Adam F5, MOTU MIDI Express XT, Lexicon MX200 & MPX1, Yamaha QY700, Yamaha AW16G, Tascam DP008ex, Zoom H6, Organelle, Roland J6 & JU06A
Previous: Triton LE 61/Sampling/64MB/4GB SCSI, MS2000BR, Kronos 1 61, Monotribe, NanoKontrol, NanoKeys, Kaossilator II, Casio HT3000, Roland VP-03, Reface DX, Novation Mininova, MPC One
I would have to drive over four hours one way to find a store that might have a pro board. I order online with as much information from the net as possible. Got my Kronos, Minitaur, Karp, and Roli Rise that way. Sweetwater and Zzounds have worked well for me. I like the play as you pay plan Zounds offers on some items.
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jeremykeys
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Long and McQuades music anywhere in Canada. They're a big coast to coast music chain and they usually have a bit of everything in their stores. I don't know how far you are away from the border or how much the duty cost is, but what with the American dollar so much higher than ours, I would seriously look into shopping here.
If music is the food of love, play on and play loud!
Gear: Kronos 73, Wavestation EX, Polysix, King Korg, Monotron and Monotron Duo, Minikorg, Moog Grandmother, my very old MiniKorg, 4 acoustic and 9 electric guitars, 1 Ibanez 5 string bass, a Steel guitar, a bunch of microphones, 2 pairs of studio monitors and other very cool toys, 1 wife and 4 cats and a lava lamp!
Gear: Kronos 73, Wavestation EX, Polysix, King Korg, Monotron and Monotron Duo, Minikorg, Moog Grandmother, my very old MiniKorg, 4 acoustic and 9 electric guitars, 1 Ibanez 5 string bass, a Steel guitar, a bunch of microphones, 2 pairs of studio monitors and other very cool toys, 1 wife and 4 cats and a lava lamp!
At the time of this writing, if you compare Sweetwater (US) price with Long-McQuade (CDN) price, account for the us/cdn exchange rate, you are way better buying it in the US.
(And that is even "before" the canadian sales taxes...)
The prices in Canada are simply overinflated...
At least at present time, Sweetwater has a special savings of about 20% off and offer 2 years warranty on the Kronos.
(I would really like to see an equivalent offer here in Canada...)
(And that is even "before" the canadian sales taxes...)
The prices in Canada are simply overinflated...
At least at present time, Sweetwater has a special savings of about 20% off and offer 2 years warranty on the Kronos.
(I would really like to see an equivalent offer here in Canada...)
Seems like online is the only game in town these days, and that one must depend on online reviews and great customer service to figure out the right item(s) for your needs.
Wow has the world changed. I find it very difficult to conceive of purchasing a new Keyboard, or many of the supporting pieces, without having a chance to kick the tires and take it for a test drive.
Wow has the world changed. I find it very difficult to conceive of purchasing a new Keyboard, or many of the supporting pieces, without having a chance to kick the tires and take it for a test drive.
+1 sweetwater
i've been thinking of buying the Kronos for a couple of years.
On a whim last month, I followed an email link from Musician's Friend (Guitar Center) and found a "B-stock" Kronos at a significant discount. Filled my cart with everything i wanted (including other B-stock/open-box merchandise).
MF total came to $6k.
Identical items from Sweetwater = $7k.
Emailed my Sweetwater rep the competitive quote and spoke a few minutes on the phone. Within an hour Sweetwater quoted $6200 for NEW gear! (Rep notified me today that refurbs of a back-ordered item had come in. Saved an additional $150 for an overall savings of $950 / 13.5% discount off street value)
Never had to leave my home, and everything was complete after a couple of hours of internet comparison shopping and a couple of emails and phone calls.
As for test-driving the KK, buy from Sweetwater and you get a 30-day test drive.
http://www.sweetwater.com/help/returns-exchanges.php
"No Hassle" Return Policy:
We want you to be completely happy with your purchase. If you are not satisfied with any product, for any reason, you may return it for a refund of the purchase price, an in-house credit, or exchange for another product within a fair amount of time from the shipping date (usually 30 days). If your purchase was eligible for free shipping, the shipping cost will be deducted from your credit or refund.
DISCLAIMER: I don't work for or receive any compensation from sweetwater, but have been buying from the same rep for over 15 years. (When have you ever heard of a retail music rep working at one company for 15 years? Says a lot about the company...)
On a whim last month, I followed an email link from Musician's Friend (Guitar Center) and found a "B-stock" Kronos at a significant discount. Filled my cart with everything i wanted (including other B-stock/open-box merchandise).
MF total came to $6k.
Identical items from Sweetwater = $7k.
Emailed my Sweetwater rep the competitive quote and spoke a few minutes on the phone. Within an hour Sweetwater quoted $6200 for NEW gear! (Rep notified me today that refurbs of a back-ordered item had come in. Saved an additional $150 for an overall savings of $950 / 13.5% discount off street value)
Never had to leave my home, and everything was complete after a couple of hours of internet comparison shopping and a couple of emails and phone calls.
As for test-driving the KK, buy from Sweetwater and you get a 30-day test drive.
http://www.sweetwater.com/help/returns-exchanges.php
"No Hassle" Return Policy:
We want you to be completely happy with your purchase. If you are not satisfied with any product, for any reason, you may return it for a refund of the purchase price, an in-house credit, or exchange for another product within a fair amount of time from the shipping date (usually 30 days). If your purchase was eligible for free shipping, the shipping cost will be deducted from your credit or refund.
DISCLAIMER: I don't work for or receive any compensation from sweetwater, but have been buying from the same rep for over 15 years. (When have you ever heard of a retail music rep working at one company for 15 years? Says a lot about the company...)
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Bitflipper
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I've been moving in the opposite direction. After decades as a Sweetwater customer, I now check local stores first and only order online if the price is significantly lower AND I am certain about my purchase. Let's see if I can make a case for local retailers...
Sweetwater's great - most of the time. But beware buying large/heavy items if there's any chance you might need to return them. I just had to return a keyboard case and it cost me $93 in shipping. Wish I'd bought that item locally!
If you are fortunate to have a well-stocked music store in town, you'll often find that the only difference between their price and Sweetwater's is the sales tax, and there's usually enough margin for them to eat the tax in order to make a sale. Even when they won't do that, the tax is still less than express shipping and you can take your treasure home right away.
Speaking of shipping, another consideration is that you're trusting your new purchase to UPS/FedEx/DHL and we all know what they can do to your package! I've had them leave expensive microphones and other items in my yard, in the rain. I've had boxes arrive crushed. Knock wood, I've never had any deliveries stolen, but that seems to be an epidemic these days.
On a more altruistic note, patronizing your local retailer helps assure that they will still be there next time you need to score guitar strings or a cable on the way to a gig. I used to have a dozen music stores nearby; now there are two, and one of them barely counts, as it is a Guitar Center
Sweetwater's great - most of the time. But beware buying large/heavy items if there's any chance you might need to return them. I just had to return a keyboard case and it cost me $93 in shipping. Wish I'd bought that item locally!
If you are fortunate to have a well-stocked music store in town, you'll often find that the only difference between their price and Sweetwater's is the sales tax, and there's usually enough margin for them to eat the tax in order to make a sale. Even when they won't do that, the tax is still less than express shipping and you can take your treasure home right away.
Speaking of shipping, another consideration is that you're trusting your new purchase to UPS/FedEx/DHL and we all know what they can do to your package! I've had them leave expensive microphones and other items in my yard, in the rain. I've had boxes arrive crushed. Knock wood, I've never had any deliveries stolen, but that seems to be an epidemic these days.
On a more altruistic note, patronizing your local retailer helps assure that they will still be there next time you need to score guitar strings or a cable on the way to a gig. I used to have a dozen music stores nearby; now there are two, and one of them barely counts, as it is a Guitar Center
look, i'm new, have only posted a couple times, and hope i'm not stirring things up. but here's my case FOR big box and competitive price.
it is a tumultuous, transformative time today, yet computing, robotics and A.I. are only in their infancy. the future is uncertain but the successful businesses are analyzing, anticipating and adapting.
so are consumers. i learned as much or more about the kk from this forum and other internet media, than most any salesperson would care to know, and purchased it never having touched one because i recognize the brand quality (and a 30-day guarantee). so why the need to support this guy?
i buy bulk strings and meet thresholds for free shipping: my favorite strings in my favorite gauges costing < 1/2 what the store needs to charge to make their margins. to patronize this guy i'd have to give him part numbers, and wait for him to order and receive it. then drive to his location to pick them up. Then pay him a fat commission for all the "work" he's done. Why would i EVER do that?
I have one of just about every design of capo (that i learned about on the internet): novelty items that the store may not risk stocking for guaranteed sale of just one unit.
so am i selfish that i can do everything this retailer does better than he can, and save myself having to pay him?
pleading to support local music retailers is like asking to patronize local movie rental stores and cobblers as their businesses were failing.
i'm sure the store owners are nice guys and all, but so were milkmen and gas attendants.
it is a tumultuous, transformative time today, yet computing, robotics and A.I. are only in their infancy. the future is uncertain but the successful businesses are analyzing, anticipating and adapting.
so are consumers. i learned as much or more about the kk from this forum and other internet media, than most any salesperson would care to know, and purchased it never having touched one because i recognize the brand quality (and a 30-day guarantee). so why the need to support this guy?
i buy bulk strings and meet thresholds for free shipping: my favorite strings in my favorite gauges costing < 1/2 what the store needs to charge to make their margins. to patronize this guy i'd have to give him part numbers, and wait for him to order and receive it. then drive to his location to pick them up. Then pay him a fat commission for all the "work" he's done. Why would i EVER do that?
I have one of just about every design of capo (that i learned about on the internet): novelty items that the store may not risk stocking for guaranteed sale of just one unit.
so am i selfish that i can do everything this retailer does better than he can, and save myself having to pay him?
pleading to support local music retailers is like asking to patronize local movie rental stores and cobblers as their businesses were failing.
i'm sure the store owners are nice guys and all, but so were milkmen and gas attendants.