If you get a Korg PA1000 and don't like it, I'll trade a Yamaha PSR S970 for it.

Don, what happened to the 4X 76?

I traded it to Zuki for a 4X 61. Both happy now!

I never understood why people cant handle 8 more inches of keybed...

good move Don.....gotta have backup..

Don can handle anything - he just likes 61 better, which I am happy about

For me, it was the relation of the C key to the end of the keyboard. I performed a lot of songs in the key of C and never looked at the keys. I knew when my left hand touched the end of the keyboard I was resting my little finger on the C key. Can't do that with a 76.

Gary

Thats an interesting one...
never tought about this..

Maybe thats because i mostly play my chords around the C one octave higher on a 61 key... and half an octave lower on a 76 or 88 key... i only play a C in root position when i have bass set to manuall ... but i prefer playing it with a low G.

To explain...I use the joystick, the three programmable buttons, and the touch strip a lot. My left hand "knows" where they are on the 61, and I have to look and reach a little farther on the 76. I can play either, but I prefer the 61. As far as making the chords, it doesn't matter. In fact the 76 offers more options. I don't have to change the split point when I play "Color My World".
Also, I have a fairly small bandstand and the wider stand I have to use with the 76 crowds things a little more. And, although the weight of the 76 is supposedly only five pounds more, it sure seems a lot heavier to this old man. Not a huge factor because someone loads and unloads it for me most of the time, and I don't move it much anyway. Still, it's a factor.

Yup. Many players who don't have small stage issues cannot relate to the huge benefit of having even 4-5 extra inches on stage. I have played many, many times where there was literally no more room on either side of my keyboard. Compromising stage area, means compromising performance. Dealing with a few less keys is a workaround ... not a compromise. With octave shifts, and custom sounds, there is no reason to feel cramped playing on a 61 note board. I play so much manual bass, I split my kb at Eb above middle C, so my chord hand has only a little more real estate than my bass hand. RH goes 2 octaves + a Msixth, LH is 2 octaves + m3rd. It makes playing interesting bass lines easier, and also keeps my hands centered on the keyboard. If the split point was any lower, I'd be uncomfortable reaching my right hand across my body to access those lower notes. I almost alway have my RH sound tuned down an octave (to better compliment my voice). It's so easy to hit the 8va button for special solo sections, if needed.
All that, plus the ease of transporting a smaller KB, fitting into my trunk, on hand trucks, etc ... make using anything BUT a 61 a no brainer. We're all different, but these are my top reasons. (was this on topic?)