Piano World Home Page Forums Our Most Popular Forums Digital Pianos - Electronic Pianos - Synths & Keyboards Nord Stage 2 88 Price Increase

I just noticed on the Sweetwater site that the Stage 2 88 has increased in
price $300 to $4,500. Wow, I thought the price was already quite steep
at $4,200.

barrydmd

Clavia/Nord has had an annual price increase the last 3 or 4 years.

The music rack is now $120 (and out of stock till June). I think I paid $70 a few years back. The soft/rigid case for the NP2/88 is now $400. I paid under $250.

Yeah, you have to be a huge Nord fan to keep supporting them. I can't wait to see what the Stage 3 and NP3 go for..

Personally my NP2 is for sale for 2K.

$2995.00 for Stage2 would seem like a logical price point. After buying a NP2 and selling within a couple of months. I could tell I was lucky to move it so quickly,cause I didn't get much interest for what I assumed to be a great price on a virtually new NP2.

Nord must believe that price elasticity of demand for the Stage 2 is currently less than 1, which is to say, basically, that they think total revenue gains from the price increase will more than compensate for any lost sales.

It's an interesting strategic response to price competition in the stage piano market. Basically, Nord is happy selling the high-priced spread. Not only do they not intend to compete on price, they are going to squeeze every nickel of revenue out of the Stage 2 customer.

The precise timing of the price increase might also have to do with delays by Roland in getting the RD-800 to market, no?

Cheers,

B.

The price may be reflecting the weakness of the dollar? It keeps getting worse. It isn't a pretty picture.

Nord's customer base (like Kurzweil & Korg) is far removed from the typical home hobbyist/enthusiasts that visit this particular section of PW.

Go to their home page and check out the videos. They aren't catering to people that play Chopin Mazurkas, Bach Preludes, Great American Song book type standards or jazz. There's a huge slant towards synth and organ.

They'll keep raising their prices and young people - 20/30 somethings- that play in rock/pop/funk/r&b/blues/folky roots type *bands* will continue buying their stuff.

I wouldn't be surprised to see the initial price of the NS3 at $4800 this next NAMM. Within a year of it's release it will be over 5K.

That's a lotta dough to lay out- especially when the pay scale for most gigs today has reverted back to what we getting in 1985...

If you want it at $4,199 - get while you still can at B&H:
Nord Stage 2 HA88 for $4,199 *


Or if you are willing to pay $4,500 at least get the bundle at Kraft:
Nord Stage 2 HA88 bundle fo $4,499 *


* Here's a thought:
- For $4,100 you can buy a Kawai MP7 and a Yamaha CP4
- For $4,300 you can buy a Roland RD800 and a Kawai MP7
- For $4,500 you can buy a Kawai MP11 and a Kawai MP7.
- For $4,500 a school could by 9 Casio PX-150

They are certainly pricey, even if they are good at what they do. But would an audience notice the difference?. . . .Seems like the price is a badge of honour in itself!

If I bought another Nord, say a Stage2, I'd be watching new releases of same model closely, cause once the new model hits, the older model, IMO, will have a major decrease in price on the used market. Nords are not Steinways. I love Steinway pianos for their sound, but they are pricey. They also are one of a few brands that will hold their value and sell more quickly, if at all in the used market.

I like the point Marko in boston makes, puts things into perspective.
What are you really paying for?? i hear everyone raving about the intuitive button lay out and the amazing sounds, and the fact that nord continually offers new sounds for free. is that really worth it though?? weigh that against complaints of the key action also..

and dont get me wrong i probably would have bought one if i had the money lol.

$US / Euro exchange rates, 5 years:

http://www.xe.com/currencycharts/?from=USD&to=EUR&view=5Y

I've noticed that Nord keyboards are _way_ more common for gigging musicians, than they should be, given their prices and the amount they spend on marketing.

So they must be doing something right . . .

. Charles

I think it's the red paint. They are the iPhone of keyboards - plenty of better stuff around but they have the cool factor.