bob@ulose.UUCP ( Robert Bismuth ) (12/10/85)
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Recently I started looking at keyboards again - when I have the money, I
might think of adding another.
I decided to look at the Chroma Polaris, having read a few good words about
them, and having noted their weighted, touch sensitive keyboard. Armed with
little knowledge (my usual state), I failed to find one any closer than La
Salle's in Boston.
I wonder how many others on the net suffer from the same problem I do when
confronted by a store like La Salle: you arrive, only to find the place
filled with self assured salespeople who show distain at your presence and
seem to be wondering why you would want to try something before buying it.
To make matter worse, there always seem to be a handful of "regulars"
jamming on other keyboards, guitars, etc. in the store, which generally
intimidates me - strangers always sound like they know what they are doing,
and I always sound like I am fumbling around on a new keyboard ...
On entering the store, after initially asking, I was turned over to a young
(very young) "salesman" who barely acknowledged that I existed. He was billed
as an expert on the Chroma - too bad it took him 5 minutes to recognize it
amoungst all the other keyboards they had. I did keep trying to point it out
to him, but he was determined to show me that he too knew how to spell the
name ....
He then showed his expertise by being unable to cancel some of the effects
left from a previous sales "demo". When he finally got something going, he
banged out a few rock sounding chords and (since during this whole time he
had ignored me with his back to me), turned to me saying "there it is."
I then got a chance to bang on the keyboard and make myself look like the
fool I probably was for expecting a sales demo and thorough check out on
the instrument.
To say I was annoyed is an understatement - if I was going to shell out
$1150 (the only piece of useful information I got out of the taciturn
youth), I certainly wanted my questions answered.
I'd really like to hear from anyone on the net using a Chroma, both good
and bad comments please. I'll summarize if I get enough response.
In addition, can anyone recommend any other dealers in the area, or perhaps
a good contact at La Salle's (they can't be all that bad, can they :-) ) ?
-- bob
(decvax!ulose!bob)hedger@ada-uts.UUCP (12/13/85)
I have a Rhodes Chroma (the big brother to the Polaris) and I am EXTREMELY happy with it....I don't know a lot about the Polaris but the Rhodes people seem to know their stuff. About LaSalles.....it is the BEST store in the Boston area(I live in Cambridge and do almost all of my business at LaSalle). The name of the person that you dealt with is Charlie and I have found it worthwhile to avoid dealing with him....next time you go, if it is during the week ask for either Tim or Bruce in keyboards. If it is on a Wed. or a Sat. ask for Larry in keyboards....I have always found these guys to be more than helpful...(Larry is a former Rhodes Chroma owner). Just a word about LaSalle's...I have spent some pretty serious money in Boston music stores over the past two years and have found that LaSalle's ALWAYS beats anybody elses prices without even knowing the other price that was quoted. I'm confident that if you go down and talk to one of the guys I have mentioned, you'll be much happier about the service you receive. Keith Hedger ihnp4!inmet!ada-uts!hedger