In fact most of the vintage keyboards had a wooden case, or at least some decorative panels, because, i suppose, of our grand ma's piano. The "high tech fashion" appeared with the early digital synths to "look different" : no knobs, only a keypad and a LCD display. Remember the DX series or the Casio CZs. Now, excepted the Moog synths or some (more or less) analog instruments such as the Evolver keyboards or the Creamware expanders, all share the same plastic case.
You have the same kind of "return to the past" trend in motorcycle design, with some new "vintage looking" machines. After decades of similar "high tech" bikes (complete fairing, LCD dashboards, straight lines and flat planes, on board computer, carbon fiber everywhere and so on), some people now want a different look with the reliability of today's engines.
Cheers
J.F.
> Message du 22/01/08 00:12
> De : "Andrew"
> A : AN1x-list@yahoogroups.com
> Copie à :
> Objet : Re: [AN1x] an idea and a complaint.
>
> >
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: spaceanimals
>
> > So why can't all synthesizers have this? [etc]
>
> Exactly. Excellent point. This is precisely what Bob Moog found out. People
> wanted something select and beautiful, not something high-tech and `modern.'
> Hence the fine wood panelling on the smaller Moogs and the wood cabinets
> with the modulars.
>
> Artwork is a stage further, of course, but I can imagine it might appeal for
> exactly the same reasons the non-techy cabinets worked on the early Moogs.
>
>
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