The arranger keyboards are difficult to find in Sacramento, CA. I went to the largest local MI dealer, and no arrangers were in stock. Went to Guitar Center, and they had one Yamaha PSR700 in the back of a room with dozens of Casio type home keyboards/pianos. If you can't find one to try, you probably won't buy one. If a dealer doesn't have one to sell, he probably won't sell one.

I've been playing keys in bands since 1964, and have used a Korg PA50 arranger for the past year, and really love the orchestral illusion that it provides. In combination with my wife on guitar, it gives a full sound that has helped our duo get gigs. No small feat in a time when DJs spinning mp3s and crooners singing along with laptops are bumping live musicians out of the few gigs available.

I also have no desire to do what my 27 year old son in Los Angeles does, where his bands pay the clubs to let them perform, and charge at the door to recoup their expenses.

Duane O