I still find it strange to think in terms of people that DIDN'T learn to play on a piano. Definitely in my day, the overwhelming number of players at least got their start on the piano. Then, if they played professionally, a Fender Rhodes (usually 73) was their main axe for piano parts, if they didn't have a CP70 or the like.

You have to remember that, although synths often had smaller keyboards, and started the trend towards the 61, they were NOT used primarily for piano parts, but one handed soloing, or later on, polysynth chords and the like, but still not the primary piano.

But the arranger... why so resistant to the 76? I think my take on this is that the majority of arranger buyers are NOT 'taught' players. In fact, a large percentage can't play at all, and are looking for something inexpensive to learn to dabble on (the arranger's strength!) and just do simple LH chord RH solo type playing. Few that learn on an arranger ever bother with REAL piano lessons, and so end up not even realizing what you CAN do with an extended keyboard.

I am just grateful that the entire arranger industry has not abandoned those that CAN play already, and just concentrated on the beginner players that are their main market (like Yamaha have).