i need lots of quality styles in pop,country,rock,r&B. i have no use for big band,jazz,latin,polka. i would like to build up song one layer at a time. i can play one hand chords,and one finger melodies,but not at the same time! i mainly want the drums,bass,and piano sounds. i can overdub guitars and vocals on my 4-track.
i need easy to work with-and affordable!
at the low end of $500 i am looking at psr550. at the top end i need to keep this close to $1000 at the most. i have seen korg is40 and is50 at under that priceand of course the better psr models,also casio mz2000. any thoughts on the relative merits of psr8000 vs. psr740 for the uses i have laid out? the 740 has more variations-does the 8000 have better sequencing and editing?i do not expect pro quality sound at this level and for demos that's not required-but i don't want to wince at cheesy sound! anyone willing to share knowledge with a non-player? i really enjoy you
guys! thanks, Bill E


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Maybe you can try to get ahold of a Roland G1000. It is a little older model, buth a pro board that you should be able to pick up for around 1000,-- now.
I use one myself, and it has a lot of options that the other boards you mention do not have. If you are into sequencing, the G1000 has a Double set of Midi Connectors. The Yamaha's do not have a MIDI Thru !!

If you hurry, you can get a MZ2000 at Musician's Friend for 742.49 &ship. They have their blems on sale and you have 45 days to look it over. Good luck.

Don't rush to get a Casio till you decide that you LOVE it. They will be DEATH to resell!

That's what was good about the 45 day trial Unca D. There's one for sale now on E-bay. It's up to 560.00 w/ about 3 days til show down.

I'm more or less in the same boat as you are as far as playing. You might want to look at the Yamaha PSR740. Besides the regular styles, it also has what they call groove mode which changes the beat of a style, so you might be able to use it for a completely different song. It really stretches out your style repertoire. And it's an easy keyboard to navigate. As far as a sequencer, it's pretty mediochre, but it does work in a pinch.