As long as gigging doesn't involve playing a full(ish) piano part. Remember, Ian, a LOT of people use SMFs AS WELL as arranger mode. Put a rhythm section behind you that doesn't require you to input the chords, and all of a sudden there's that temptation to play a piano part (or Rhodes, whatever).

Which, of course, if you got yourself a 61 to save you maybe 5 lbs or so (probably the difference between an S900, and an S900 with an NP30 action) and about five inches (difference in width) is completely out of the question. Now, I admire your purity of spirit, and your contention that any piano part MUST be played on a weighted 88, but I've got a sneaky feeling that you probably DO play at least a RH piano pert on your S900 from time to time. Oops! There goes THAT rule!

So, for those that want n arranger, but also want to use SMF's and free the LH from time to time, the 76 is the best tool to be able to do BOTH. It's not the BEST at either, but it's the only thing that can do BOTH.

I am not certain about your shows, but every gig I have ever done since I started using arrangers involves both Piano AND organ parts, sequences, arranger play AND full live play. No one method does it ALL successfully. So, I either take a 61 AND an 88 (apparently, no concern for weight with THAT rig!) or I use a 76. And, apparently, so do a LOT of others, here.

The funny thing is, Ian (well, it's ALL funny, really ), I guarantee, if Yamaha DID make a 76 S900, that's what you would be playing, rather than haul that 88 around. Just like us, you would admit it wasn't perfect (oops! sorry... Forgot who I was talking to! ), but it would be the best compromise between the two.

I can only hope Yamaha help you out of your dilemma, Ian, and you can join the rest of us 'home keyboard' players with more options in our playing style...