IN MY OPINION, the better the player, the less the moaning and groaning about (missing) features. People always want to enhance their performances; some do it by trying to improve their playing skills and others, by looking for features on their instrument that will hide their playing deficiencies.....and then there is the pure 'techno-geek' that just plain likes anything with a knob or button on it, but they are usually more interested in the technology than the actual music. Let's face it, the performances we have been most impressed by (say Marco Parisi) has much, MUCH more to do with the player than the instrument. We're most impressed by guys (or gals) that would sound good on a washboard.

On the other hand (and in all fairness), once you enter into the world of electronic instruments, advancements in technology are always going to play a role. Even with the mighty Hammond organ, a 'Jimmy Smith' didn't happen until PERCUSSION (and a Leslie) was added. So yes, there is nothing on this green earth that can't be improved upon in some way, nor should we ever stop pushing the boundaries of technology to do things we could not otherwise do. I just don't think technology should ever be used as a SUBSTITUTE for creativity and craftsmanship. In other words, it should always be about YOU, not your super-duper, feature-laden instrument. JMO.

chas