Perhaps Roland is getting ready for the release of the MV9000 or is indeed just pulling the plug out of the MV8800.
Still though, as long as Roland doesn't state on their website it's discontinued, it's definitely not discontinued.
Also... it's still available in Europe and for the higher price, so I'm not so sure if this actually means anything. It's much like the rebate a year ago of a few hundred bucks. Europeans were out of luck there too if I recall correctly, but Roland did not discontinue the MV8800, nor released a successor.
I think this is a shop related thing and not something started by Roland. Although I think this will be good for them too.
Also, I agree with you Ill Green and Lonestar too for the most part. But I think I've just already got over the fact of having paid 2 grand for the machine. I'm not feeling bad about it, and might not ever feel bad about it, it's packing enough heat for me to justify the purchase quite literally.
Half is quite a lot though, I'll give you that!