I had no CHOICE when I got my first G70... HAD to pay full price, and nothing else had the same combination of things I needed. But that didn't make me feel any less sore, after seeing MoES8's for LESS than I payed for my G70 My used one was a great deal, otherwise I wouldn't have got it... (Oh, and BTW, there isn't a better 76 keybed on ANYTHING at any price! )

And I'm sorry, but you just aren't looking at the big picture, Ian... Just because you might not actually USE all their features, there are EXTENSIVE features on a modern WS that require at least as much development as an arranger. Most of them, nowadays, for just ONE example, have complete multi-track DAW's, with plug-ins, graphical displays, automation and mastering features (all missing from arrangers). I wouldn't discount the expense of developing these wunderkind machines so lightly.

As to using a G70 over a WS for live gigs... I guess I'm one of the few, but I do a LOT of 'pick up' gigs, and my style involves doing a LOT of split keyboard, multiple sound playing (I have long given up the hassle of hauling multiple keyboards around!). No, I don't use the style section at all for these, but I am expected to be able to call up the sounds I need at the drop of a hat for each tune, and a WS just isn't quick enough at that particular task.

I make no apologies EVER turning up to any gig with one of these, and I have NEVER been disparaged for it, even BEFORE they hear me play it! It's just a keyboard, as far as anyone else is concerned. I doubt any of us go up to a guitarist and piss and moan because he has a looper in his pedal-board, especially if he doesn't use it! I still don't get this 'chip on the shoulder' mentality about arrangers. NOBODY CARES...

All they care is how you PLAY, guys...

And yes, I WAS raped when I bought my G70. And I am NOT happy about it. But they don't make a WS with the same keybed and ease of live use as my G70 (or I would have bought it and saved myself a fortune).