Date: Wednesday, 5 November 1986 21:42:53 EST From: Harry.Bovik@k.cs.cmu.edu To: Bovik@k.cs.cmu.edu cc: Yamauchi@maps.cs.cmu.edu Subject: [Yamauchi:] Buying a synthesizer. Message-ID: <1986.11.6.2.40.56.Harry.Bovik@k.cs.cmu.edu> [ Brian Yamauchi's mail has been collected into one message (below). 4hqb ] ________________________________________ Date: Wednesday, 5 November 1986 18:34:17 EST From: Brian.Yamauchi@maps.cs.cmu.edu Subject: Synthesizers I have forwarded the synth messages to bovik@k and heydon@theory. I received one response locally and two through the arpanet. I purchased a CZ-101 for $200 from the Swissvale Music Store. The synth was used, but in mint condition, so it was a good deal. Contrary to one of the responses, the salesman I dealt with was both courteous and seemed to be well-informed. Brian ________________________________________ Date: 20 Oct 1986 11:04-EDT From: David.Detlefs@theory.cs.cmu.edu Subject: Re: Synthesizers Brian -- I have shopped at three music stores in the area: the Swissvale Music Store, Pianos and Stuff (I think that's the name) in Blawnox, and Hollowood Music in McKeesport. Swissvale Music has an excellent selection and prices that seemed competetive, but had a salesman who kind of put me off with the feeling that because I wasn't a cool musician-type I might not be worth his time. This might or might not bother you. Hollowood seemed pretty heavily oriented towards Yamaha equipment. The salesman I talked to was very helpful and patient; the prices, to my untutored eye, seemed competetive: I ended up bying an RX21 drum machine there. Pianos and stuff if only because they carry equipment by manufacturers not found in either of the above, such as Korg. Equipment recommendations: if you wanted to consider something a little higher in price, I've been very happy with my Akai AX-80. These can be had for less than $750 now (perhaps a lot less.) One thing to consider in buying is if they have MIDI interfaces -- if they don't, you might be missing out later. Good Luck! Dave ________________________________________ Date: Mon, 20 Oct 86 09:28:04 PDT From: Michael Schaeffer Subject: Re: Mail Order Synths In article <1043@maps.cs.cmu.edu> you write: >I am in the market for a low cost synthesizer -- probably the Casio CZ-101, >hearing about any good or bad experience that people have had with companies I recently purchased a CZ1000 from "47th street photo" in NYC, having learned about the place through net.m.synth. I have been very pleased with the results. The unit cost me ~$300 plus $15 postage, while it lists for $700. I chose the cz1000 over the cz101 since it has full sized keys. The same mail order house offers the CZ101 for $199. In general, mail order can limit the ease with which you can obtain service for the purchased item if it experiences a failure. I felt that this would not be true with the Casio, since they have such a broad distribution network. By all means, spend some time with the instrument in a music store before you commit $ to it. ________________________________________ Date: Mon, 20 Oct 86 13:16:58 PDT From: Andrew Klossner Subject: Re: Mail Order Synths I bought a CZ-101 mail order from USAA Buying Services. Everything worked out just fine. I would suggest that you not buy a grey market unit. -=- Andrew Klossner (decvax!tektronix!tekecs!andrew) [UUCP] (tekecs!andrew.tektronix@csnet-relay) [ARPA]