Nope, hearing is actually better, since I was wise enough, over the years, to use ear protection. I hope you did the same. LOL. I wrote this bit a tad louder just in case.<grin>

Lifting strength has never been the issue...I'm lazy, and I just like lighter, more manageable gear, that has the sounds that appeal to me...it's just a more intelligent (and convenient) way of operating my business.

No one is saying that the old stuff didn't have redeeming qualities...the sounds it made defined the way a lot of music has been written and played. That's why digital pianos, samplers, emulators, VST's and clonewheels have such great appeal and sell so well. They reproduce the sound, but in lighter, more convenient and sometimes more affordable, packages.

My old gear served it's purpose, and it was time to move on...as I said earlier, I sold/replaced my old gear for perfectly valid reasons, and have no dreams of buying any of it again.

Ian