So I saw that my local GC had the S88 in stock so I drove over to give it a test. Nope. They have it in the back but not available to demo. The rep tells me that I could always try out a bunch of the other 88-key synths since they're all weighted, too. Thanks, buddy. Real help.

So yeah, I'm liking everything I'm hearing about it, but man. Just don't like the idea of dropping $1K on something I can't try out first.

I bought an older used Alesis QS8.1 about a year back very cheaply. I have little use for the sounds from this old 90's beast, but the key bed is fantastic. It's a hammer action and weighted Fatar T-20 or T-21 key bed. I replaced an old Kurzweil Midiboard with it that I loved, but found a better home for it.