I've been watching various YouTube videos, including PA4X76, Ketrons and Genos.
Not once have I seen anyone use the lowest keys and very seldom the highest keys in arranger mode. I can see where it would allow an extra split, but other than that that I question why you would need the extra keys, particularly the lower ones, in ARRANGER mode.
I have had a few 76s and I know I didn't use the lowest keys.
Just idle musings . . .

As a pianist I like the luxury of having 76 keys on the Pa4x for my style of playing and for the times I throw in a few piano solos it works for me. I’m very comfortable with having the extra real estate, but if I don’t it’s not a deal breaker for playing in arranger mode.

Ditto Don,.... personally I dislike 76 keys on an arranger...
but I can see piano style full keyboard mode players would like it.
I have had both just my opinion. Just stick to what your using
no need for more real estate.

Interesting question, Don:

I am not a pianist or musician. For my needs, I could get by with even fewer keys on the 970 you sold me. I can fully understand how a real pianist would want a full 88 keys (or even settle for 76) but I prefer better sounding styles, intros, middle breaks, outros and multi-pads to enhance the songs I write. As I've said many times before... Arrangers are the best kept secret that most songwriters never hear about.

Have a great weekend, Pal!

I prefer 76 on playing a keyboard/piano AND Arranger.....

61 is too limiting for me & 88 is to mych....76 is just right

Don 76 keys is nearly a must for me.
For starters if you play manual bass (and I do).. low E matches a4 string bass.
If you play full piano mode (and I do) 76 keys is a must (Octave switching on a 49 or 61 keyboard is just dumb.

If you like to have sounds zoned on the keys , 76 keys is a must(G70 will zone 3).

Sure you can get by with 61 keys as an arranger (I do with the E-A7), but... why would I want to.

49 keys would be a total nightmare as Donny will find out (as an arranger keyboard).

That's if I still have it thru the weekend..
Just sayin'

Hi,
I think for full pianist mode the 76 keys would be great. Guessing a lot of people don’t play in pianist mode.

61 keys for arranger mode if one plays full chords i tend to think is a is a must.

Tried the pa800 with its broken f1 key, would have thought I’d easily be able to play it considering the key is so low down. Wrong, without trying to relearn some of the chord inversions I use, I kept hitting it.

Very interesting. I seldom play left hand bass, actually almost never. The only time I really use 76 is on one song, Color My World, when I need notes above my normal split to make the chords easily.
I don't use Pianist mode; I just grab chords and play. I find it easier to push a button than to have extra zones for lead.

Good question..

Most of the time i play left hand and right hand and then i barely use them

However when you play piano style, the 76 keys are a must..
Also when i use the R3 as upper voice..
Or when i have sepperate zones for left hand and chird recognition


I guess for most players that use only left and single right part, that 61 key is okay.