You answered my question, just fine, Chas. You can also type a lot better (faster) than I....I have to pause ever so often, and wipe up the drool.

Whilst I do enjoy playing with my buddies, most, if not all the gigs with them , are jam sessions....which is fine, as I always seem to pick up a few new licks, and, it's fun, but not fine, if I want to pay for my oil, and food..

The arranger lets me play when no one else is available...it will rehearse anytime I want, for as long as I want, and do the tunes that I want.

It will play at the tempo I want, and will also be at the volume I choose.

I know, I, I, I, I....only thinkin' of me...well, sometimes that's a good thing, if I want to be playing a lot.

I can also play in any style I want...country, jazz(y), pop, R&B...and I can practice my piano, and organ chops by making an SMF and playing over it...as long as I'm not doing bass-lines, the 5 octaves are fine...if not, I'll midi the S910 to my piano.

Getting away from playing with others wasn't entirely my idea...I live in a small town, and there's not a big pool to draw from, especially for players who want to play in the same, or even some of, the genres I like.

Like I said on another thread, the arranger is my multi-purpose tool, my Swiss army knife...it can entertain me for an evening, as well as entertain an audience for some remuneration.

You are fortunate to find people to play with, and to gig on a schedule that is comfortable with yours.

What I am surprised about, is that you don't have a B-3 at home...unless you and your buds rarely play/jam or practice there, although I must say, in your defenCe, the Nord C1 sounds pretty well as close to a Hammond as anything I've ever played...even the action is a real joy to play.

I tried one through a Traynor K4...pretty darn good Leslie sim...the K4's stereo really brings out the realism...and, it is LOUD....you can really get it to scream on the top notes, like a B-3.

There I go, digressing again...