I guess the reason is those other X brand 76 note boards ARE 50 lbs Scott. Or at least around that much..

What I want Yamaha or any other Brand manufacturer to do is create a 76 note high end Arranger that weighs around 30 lbs or LESS. That's when things will get enticing for even die hard 61 note keyboard fans like yourself and you may find it worth your while to get the 76 note board.

I realize I'm a little hard on Yammie and I vent my concerns on this and other keyboard Forums, but tell me (OT) one Drill Instructor in any branch of Armed Services that is 'soft' on their recruits. They are DI's because they are the ones that "drill" instruction into the recruits. And they do it for their own good. They go in boys and they come out men. Or so is the intention anyway. If we don't tell Yamaha like it is (at least from our view point and or perspective) how are they going to know what we as consumers of their products want in a keyboard? They are professionals, and believe me they can take the flak. If they couldn't they would have been out of business years ago.

I don't think the problem is with Yamaha U.S. btw. Their support staff has been very willing to relay our suggestions and concerns to the corporate headquarters in Japan. The problem is getting the higher up's in Japan to listen and then implement our requests. Roland has done it with the G70 and Korg has done it with the Pa1XPRO. Why is Yamaha still unwilling to take that same venture? Because I think they still have misgivings about the PSR 9000PRO, which they themselves pronounced as a 'failed experiment'. Maybe also they don't have the technical know how to pull it off successfully, who knows? Although I find that highly unlikely myself. Maybe the water is too cold and they don't want to get their feet wet again. But I think the market is ripe for a lightweight high end cutting edge 76 note Arranger. And as they say failure is the back door to success, and nothing ventured nothing gained.

The incremental upgrade thing doesn't really appeal to me. Give me something that will make it worth my while to upgrade. Not same o same o with a little dash of this and a little sprinklin' of that added.

But it is true that Yamaha isn't necessarily looking for people to sell their Tyros I and get the Tyros II. They are looking to grab the attention of first time customers who own a PSR 550 or something similar and other Brand consumers looking for a high end Board that appeals to them. And I think the most enticing feature on the new Tyros will be the Mega Voices that will be playable in a live situation. And also the Sampler and the nicer keybed, although the keys will be the same width as the original Tyros from what I understand.

In conclusion, Yamaha has at least two Tyros II's that they know they will sell. One to you Scott and one to Scott Yee.

Beyond that I'm not too sure how well the Tyros II will be received by the general public. Because, in my opinion, it is an incremental upgrade to the Tyros I, it will cost more than the original, and if it's not secured at all time it may up and fly away on its owner.

Best regards,
Mike