I have an early version of this hard case - iSeries 5014-6 Narrow 76-note Keyboard Case from SKB, and although it looks like on paper it won’t fit, you take out the padding and it just squeezes in. If you have an oversized case, maybe this is something to try.

Yes, it weighs as much as the keyboard, but it is a hard case, ATA legal (although without the padding, I’m not sure I’d be comfortable letting baggage handlers throw it around!), and a soft case weighs very little less (SKB’s soft 76 weighs almost the same!). Bottom line, unless you are comfortable putting your BK9 in a garbage bag, you are not going to save yourself much weight at the cost of losing almost all worthwhile protection.

A BK5 only weighs 3.5lbs less than the BK9, and by saving so little, you lose so much. The microphone in (now you need to carry a mixer with effects), the pro action (other than the lack of aftertouch, I’m of the opinion the action is easily as good as a PA4x), you lose the expression pedal input (only one input, so either sustain or expression, not both), no SN sounds, no VK organ, no chord sequencer, no key audio stuff (the BK9’s answer to multipads), no independent mastering section for keyboard and style/song sections (so playing loudly doesn’t duck the backing), no FC7 input, the list goes on and on and on…

It just sounds like an enormous step back to save yourself maybe 10lbs at the kerb. And yes, without a sub, I would never inflict those speakers on anyone! So between the sub and a mixer, I bet you end up carrying more than you are already…

I have a backup BK9. I honestly don’t think I will ever buy another keyboard to gig with. This is as good as it gets at the weight point..!

The minute I find myself looking at something else, I make myself learn a new tune. Now my time is actually productive!