I'm 61, and I started using an arranger for playing gigs around 1983 or so...it was a Yamaha PS-55.

That would make it around 28 years ago, which would put me at 33, fairly young for an arranger buyer...I was very interested in them a few years before that, but they weren't quite adequate with which to do a gig...the PS-55 had PCM drums, which were very realistic, although there was no On-Bass (for slash chords) and the right hand sounds were still analog....I remember it a very nice organ sound (with a neat symphonic effect, something like a B-3's chorus-vibrato), and a really expressive French accordion...pianos were mushy, and the strings were...er...rather "stringy".. Most of the sounds weren't realistic versions of their name-sakes, but they were very pleasant to listen to.

The styles were basic and fairly usable...I think they numbered a staggering 16!

Man, compare that to a new Tyros4 or Korg PA3X..."You've come a long way, baby!"

Ian