Russ, if you do get the C1 down the road, trust me, after about a week of cursing (but finally making peace with) those digital drawbars, you will absolutely love that board (even if Donny wouldn't BUY a free one ). Compared to the cost of the dual manual Hammond (XB3???), it's a relative bargain. Some reviews even claim a better mid-range for the Nord but since I've never heard them side by side, I couldn't say. I think it's even cheaper, er, less expensive, that the somewhat dated, Korg (BX3? CX3? ...whichever is the 2-manual).

Good luck with the new Nord board, but this time you have to promise to at least take it out of the box . $1400.00 for any board with Nord's reputation can't be much of a gamble. Think of it as a one-hour trip in a King Air (true op. expenses) .

chas