I use at least 150 user (custom) styles, all of which make each song unique. Sure, I know some guys use a dozen styles and they all say that's all you need, but that's where we disagree. I want every song I perform to sound as close to the original as possible, and I sincerely believe my audiences do as well. So the question of "how many styles to you need" is a bit subjective at best. If you can keep your audiences happy and the dance-floor packed with a dozen or so styles - more power to you. For me, the number of styles I need is endless.
Yesterday's job was a good example. Lots of folks at the Tiki Bar, all of whom didn't want me to stop playing and singing. When I played the intro of the songs, the response was instantaneous. Same held true when I used a custom, third-party style file that had the pre-programed intro. Many of the onboard styles also have a generic intro that fits a number of songs, which often provides the audience with instant recognition, plus there's often a positive response with folks getting out of their seats and onto the dance-floor. Food for thought.
One of the lovely ladies that sailed with me for a week on the way south took this photo yesterday of an old man at the keyboard.
God, I love this job,
Gary