a modified dog
New member
Does anyone know roughly how much the mark up is for synths and the like? I'm looking to pay around $500 US. Any insider tips would be welcome.
How cheap is cheap?
- Thread starter a modified dog
- Start date
Chriss
Jitens Half Brother
ohhh... 500$ ain't much, but for the absolute most value in the belov 800$ line you have the Waldorf Micro Q, amazing piece.
a modified dog
New member
Looking over my post, it seems a bit unclear. Basically, I'm asking how much you can talk down a price on a low-end synth.
I'd like to trade my Yamaha PSR-540 for a Roland XP-10. I bought the psr at Daddy's Junky Music Store in NH a coupld of years ago, when I had even less of an idea about synths and keyboards than I have now... if that's possible.
TIA for your advice,
Denis
I'd like to trade my Yamaha PSR-540 for a Roland XP-10. I bought the psr at Daddy's Junky Music Store in NH a coupld of years ago, when I had even less of an idea about synths and keyboards than I have now... if that's possible.
TIA for your advice,
Denis
Normally, technology items (keydoards, recording gear, etc.) have the lowest margin of any music gear. Why? Because technology changes - the companies have more R&D costs and they try to "set price" more to maintain the perceived value of the gear. Also, the stores don't buy as much quantity (too expensive and too much potential for new and better gear coming out).
It's very common that the margin is only 20%-40%. Given that that a retail operation probably needs about 30% to cover overhead (and make some profit) there would normally be only about 10% to bargain with, and possibly not any bargain room at all. In the $500 range you probably won't have much room to bargain.
It's very common that the margin is only 20%-40%. Given that that a retail operation probably needs about 30% to cover overhead (and make some profit) there would normally be only about 10% to bargain with, and possibly not any bargain room at all. In the $500 range you probably won't have much room to bargain.
a modified dog
New member
miceh,
Thanks for the comprehensive answer to my question. It makes sense... it seems like it's similar to any other technilogy-driven industry.
Update: I fooled with a Roland XP-10 yesterday. For the price, it's pretty cool, but the case and keys were kinda cheesy. Over all, I wouldn't really gain much by trading my PSR-540... more of a trade off, really.
Thanks for the comprehensive answer to my question. It makes sense... it seems like it's similar to any other technilogy-driven industry.
Update: I fooled with a Roland XP-10 yesterday. For the price, it's pretty cool, but the case and keys were kinda cheesy. Over all, I wouldn't really gain much by trading my PSR-540... more of a trade off, really.
Badger
Active member
Waldorf kicks ass, I love my Microwave XT, but the microq with keyboard is around a grand last I checked.
Yamaha
The Yamaha S03 can be bought for $499 and will sound a heck of alot better than a XP-10.
You can also find alot of decent used gear for $500 (Yamaha SY77, DX7mkII, Korg M1, Roland D-50, Kawai K1 and K4). The list goes on but, those are the ones that come to mind immediately.
The Yamaha S03 can be bought for $499 and will sound a heck of alot better than a XP-10.
You can also find alot of decent used gear for $500 (Yamaha SY77, DX7mkII, Korg M1, Roland D-50, Kawai K1 and K4). The list goes on but, those are the ones that come to mind immediately.
modified dog,
check out the Roland RS-5 if you get the chance. It sounds awesome and there are 5 or 6 assignable knobs for tweaking. I have gotten a price from Musicians Friend for 639.00. I know its more than 500 but its worth it.
John
check out the Roland RS-5 if you get the chance. It sounds awesome and there are 5 or 6 assignable knobs for tweaking. I have gotten a price from Musicians Friend for 639.00. I know its more than 500 but its worth it.
John