© WersiClub International
Letters
This page, first opened in April 2010, contains your Letters. Please send in your letters using our e-mail address and also send in your replies to and comments about existing Letters.
1 April 2010
Dear Colin,
When I read your item about Wersi being 'in difficulties', I'm afraid I thought 'Oh no, here we go again!!'. This must be the 3rd time this has happened since I started building Wersis back in the 70s. Hopefully they will yet again pull through OK. But I can't help thinking these thoughts:
1. The marketing arm has failed yet again to push the undoubtedly magnificent products, in the UK at least. A few well timed TV adverts and press adverts would at least push the company to the fore. We rarely see Wersi even mentioned when the subject of organs or home produced music is raised [which in itself is pretty rare!]. In 40 years, I've only seen Wersi mentioned 3 times on national TV; once in the late 70s when Klaus Wunderlich appeared on BBC TV Pebble Mill at 1, where advertising rules meant the brand name was not allowed to be disclosed, although it was visible on his Helios. Last year (purely by accident this time) when the BBC's Antiques Roadshow came from Blackpool Tower Ballroom, the Louvre was visible 2-3 times in the background (even then, you had to KNOW it was a Wersi to appreciate the fact!). I also have a James Last DVD which features a Wersi Grand Piano in amongst the orchestra.
2. Why don't Wersi sell cheaper priced, ie smaller, keyboards aimed at the youngsters and 20 somethings, that might just generate enough profits to help support the larger, more expensive organs? This obviously works for the likes of Yamaha and others. Something cheap will get them hooked. I started with a cheap reed chord organ from Woolworths @ £35! Once smitten it is hard to stop wanting something better/bigger.
3. Another area that is being neglected seems to be the groups market. Surely a competitively priced gig keyboard can be pushed by Wersi.
4. We only have 1 outlet in the UK; Peter Armitage/Brett Wales. So it is difficult to get to hear a Wersi live in a showroom where one can sit and 'fiddle' and see what is what. Surely some extra venues could at least display the organs, such as Blackpool Tower? Edinburgh, Newcastle, Manchester, Birmingham, London, Cardiff are all very large cities which must surely harbour many organ enthusiasts?
Well, as I said above, here's hoping they survive, but how long for, I wonder, if they do? Surely they must know these areas are lacking by now?
T.W.Shevels
Dear Colin,
When I read your item about Wersi being 'in difficulties', I'm afraid I thought 'Oh no, here we go again!!'. This must be the 3rd time this has happened since I started building Wersis back in the 70s. Hopefully they will yet again pull through OK. But I can't help thinking these thoughts:
1. The marketing arm has failed yet again to push the undoubtedly magnificent products, in the UK at least. A few well timed TV adverts and press adverts would at least push the company to the fore. We rarely see Wersi even mentioned when the subject of organs or home produced music is raised [which in itself is pretty rare!]. In 40 years, I've only seen Wersi mentioned 3 times on national TV; once in the late 70s when Klaus Wunderlich appeared on BBC TV Pebble Mill at 1, where advertising rules meant the brand name was not allowed to be disclosed, although it was visible on his Helios. Last year (purely by accident this time) when the BBC's Antiques Roadshow came from Blackpool Tower Ballroom, the Louvre was visible 2-
3. Another area that is being neglected seems to be the groups market. Surely a competitively priced gig keyboard can be pushed by Wersi.
4. We only have 1 outlet in the UK; Peter Armitage/Brett Wales. So it is difficult to get to hear a Wersi live in a showroom where one can sit and 'fiddle' and see what is what. Surely some extra venues could at least display the organs, such as Blackpool Tower? Edinburgh, Newcastle, Manchester, Birmingham, London, Cardiff are all very large cities which must surely harbour many organ enthusiasts?
Well, as I said above, here's hoping they survive, but how long for, I wonder, if they do? Surely they must know these areas are lacking by now?
T.W.Shevels