2019 NAMM YAMAHA - Any important release?

[pjd]

Sales Statistics for 2014, USA market (Source: NAMM Global Report)

    Category                       Units            Retail value
    -----------------------------  ---------------  -------------
    Acoustic guitars               1,499,000 units  $678,000,000
    Electric guitars               1,132,000 units  $506,000,000
    Digital pianos                   135,000 units  $165,000,000
    Keyboard synthesizers             81,000 units  $104,000,000
    Controller keyboards             160,000 units  $ 32,000,000
    Portable keyboards under $199    656,000 units  $ 64,000,000
    Portable keyboards over $199     350,000 units  $123,000,000
    Total portable keyboards       1,006,000 units  $187,000,000

This is just the USA. That's a lot of entry level keyboards. I don't think Yamaha can afford to ignore the entry market.

-- pj

[vbdx66]

Hi pj,

Very interesting. So apparently entry-level keyboards sell many more units, but higher-end keyboards bring much more money in the house.

So I agree, Yamaha can't afford to ignore the entry market, but this is not a reason to think people are dumb and trying to sell them a product which is more expensive than the previous product and which has less functionalities.

Well apparently dealers are beginning to realise that the E360 is highly overpriced. For instance at Sam Ash, the E360 is advertised at $ 189,99, and the E363 at € 179,99. The E363 still makes  a better deal for the time being, though.

Vinciane

[pjd]

Hi Vinciane --

Yep, right on!

I wish the $199 breakpoint was a little higher since models like the E463 would fall into the "above $199" category. That change would yield a more useful (better?) "entry" versus "mid plus upper" measure. Of course, I don't have much sway with NAMM. 

Given that "keyboard synthesizers" move only 81,000 units,  I'd wager that most of the "above $199" keyboards are actually entry-level.

Good observation about average selling price (ASP).

Take care -- pj

[andyg]

Don't forget that 'keyboard' is a catch all term. There's nothing there to confirm that those numbers are all arranger keyboards.

Hammonds, Nords, etc, not to mention classical keyboards don't fit into any other category, for example.

[Bachus]

Don't forget that 'keyboard' is a catch all term. There's nothing there to confirm that those numbers are all arranger keyboards.

Hammonds, Nords, etc, not to mention classical keyboards don't fit into any other category, for example.

even master keys would fit those cattegories

[pjd]

The table is an excerpt from a much larger table and report. NAMM sells the report and it is not freely distributed. Thus, a short quote to avoid copyright issues. The report also breaks out stats by country -- where possible -- but that reporting is inconsistent WRT categories and such.

There is a separate category for the piano and organ market (acoustic grand pianos, acoustic vertical pianos, electronic player pianos, digital pianos, and organs).

Yes, it's possible to nit-pick the report and its categories to death. Have fun... 

To all the engineers here, it's only marketing.

-- pj

[henning-kock]

I also expected something like that. let's wait and see if at the Summer NAMM we can see something. greetings Hans

Hi,
There is the upcoming international Musikinstrumentmesse in Frankfurt, Germany, in the beginning of April, where Yamaha usually presents their new entry-level and middle-level  arranger keyboards.
I hope there will be a new psr-EW4XX or psr-EW5XX 76 keys instrument.
Greetings
Henning K.

[SeaGtGruff]

I hope there will be a new psr-EW4XX or psr-EW5XX 76 keys instrument.

The PSR-EW410 was just released in 2018, so any replacement model (presumably named the PSR-EW420) is not expected until 2020 at the soonest.

[vbdx66]

Hi Michael,

Besides the somewhat bizarre E360 which was launched at NAMM, do you think there is any hope of a E273/373 being launched at Frankfort?

Here in Europe, Woodbrass has stopped marketing the E363 and I am wondering whether they are just out of stock or whether they will completely replace it by the E360, which would be a great loss for people starting playing the keyboard, since the E363 is such a great beginner keyboard with so many more functionalities than the E360, such as the ability to load up to 10 external styles, the integrated digital audio interface, and the USB connectivity to communicate with a computer or an iPad.

Regards,

Vinciane

[EileenL]

Don't forget a lot of these low end keyboards are used in schools for education purposes and this will account for quite a few sales.

[vbdx66]

Hi Eileen,

Indeed. This is why I find it a pity that the new PSR E360, which currently is advertised for 50 euros more than the E363, does not have the USB socket of the latter, neither its integrated digital audio interface, nor its MIDI recording facility. Not to mention the fact that the E363 can accommodate 10 external style files.

For education purposes, it would have been cool to be able to connect the E360 to an iPad, especially given the great musical apps made freely available by Yamaha, such as ChordTracker, Audio Recorder etc.

I seriously hope the E363 won't be discontinued since it is such a great keyboard for beginners and children.

Just my 2 cents,

Regards,

Vinciane

[SeaGtGruff]

I suppose it's possible that the PSR-E360 was meant to be an additional model in the PSR-E line, rather than a replacement model per se-- for instance, something to challenge Roland's GO:KEYS? If that should prove to be the case, then we may eventually see a PSR-E373 and PSR-E273. But only Yamaha knows how the PSR-E360 was intended to fit into the PSR-E line, and what's planned for the PSR-E line in the future. There are a number of new developments in MIDI which are being planned and worked on by the MMA (MIDI Manufacturers Association), of which Yamaha is a member. Who can say how long the current lines of keyboards will continue, or if they'll be replaced by brand new lines with completely different names?

[pjd]

If that should prove to be the case, then we may eventually see a PSR-E373 and PSR-E273.

Hear, hear! I get tired of "reading the tea leaves" in Yamaha's cup. 

The entry-level market needs to appeal to a very wide range of customers. That's why I think they're trying to sell "musical furniture" to parents who want wood grain furniture in their sitting room.  I suspect that the E360 is a line extension, not a replacement. Of course, this is reading tea leaves, again...

Stylistically, Yamaha would do better to adopt the aesthetics of the Roland "fashion piano" FP series. Now, there is style!

All the best -- pj

[JohnS (Ugawoga)]

I'm sure that that Keytar is a joke , more like an air guitar!!

[panos]

Haven't read the posts here.
In another post Michael (SeaGtGruff) is having examples between the BIG differences between MSRP prices and the real prices the keyboards are finally sold at stores.
So Jeremy maybe is totally wrong in this video comparing the 2 keyboards.
We will see....

I don't see the E-360(the ex 263)availiable in my country yet to check the real prices between them.

Anyway, it is a free market.
If a store can pre-sell the E360 at a high price,that's good for them