Ridiculous? It sounds as if you come from the 61 note camp, right?

So, let's say that for some idiotic reason, all the manufacturers decide to cut it down to 57... you going to be happy? I doubt it. Especially if I posted that your gripes were 'ridiculous'.

One of the strengths of the old 76 layout is, firstly, they are plastic feel. Certainly my G70's action is weighted a bit more than most arranger keybeds, but it is nowhere near as heavy as a wooden touch 88. As you often have to play organ, synth and many light touch sounds, the facility of plastic outweighs the need for wood touch JUST for acoustic and Rhodes. A lot of the newer 73's ape the heavier touch of the Rhodes. Not optimal, IMO (and a change from 20+ years of accepted standard).

Secondly, the 76's that go down to the low E were perfect if you do a LOT of LH bass work (that's the lowest note of a 4 string bass). An 88's low A leaves you with at LEAST a third, and maybe a fifth of notes you are rarely ever going to play! TBH, I don't mind that some of the 73's go down to the C... five string basses are more common now, but in truth, I rarely ever WANT to go down below E... guess I'm just old school! But why, if you consider that you are gaining a few down below the 76's usual low limit, do they compound that by taking even MORE off the top?

I'm sorry, but weight, size and feel factor make 88's not optimal for arrangers. And 73's, while good if you want that retro Rhodes vibe (but they have to be fully weighted if you want to be pedantic about it), are unnecessarily limited. The 76 has been a staple of arranger and WS use for 30 years or more. Roland and Yamaha STILL make 76's. Only Korg, of the big 3, have decided to lop off a few notes (and they still start from E on the Kronos, so you aren't gaining the C at the bottom) for no apparent reason.

If 76's were that hard to fit in a studio, they never would have gained popularity. And try getting an 88 sideways in a car!

I'm sorry, but the only thing ridiculous I have seen on this thread is the thought that, if you don't want to lose three notes, you should GAIN 15 more, about an extra 30lbs, and too much width to fit in a car!