"The synthesizer you don't need a master's degree in science to master" reads the ridiculous tag line to this September 1986 ad for the Casio CZ-230S from Keyboard Player magazine. Here's a hint: if someone tells you they have a Masters Degree in "Science", you tell them you have a Ph.D. in "Book Learnin'".

(Click on image to view a full-sized rendering of the picture).

Rob Warmowski: Ugh. This era was closely linked with the annoying Tom Cruise career-launching film Risky Business and it shows here; the stupid sunglasses, the mullet, the rolled-up jacket sleeves. Hey wait a minute, this looks exactly like a guy at the Interpol show last week.

Dan Agosto: These two guys were about to have an epic synth battle in front of the majestic wall of textured paper. Unfortunately, lame-wad couldn't figure out his cables. That's why sunglasses is so happy. He just won an epic synth battle by default.

Rob Warmowski: Dan, I happen to know the synth in the background - the one by the cable-ensnared loser - is a Roland, I've used one, and I do not have a Masters degree in Science. Can you tell me what model?

Dan Agosto: I believe that's a Juno-160. The colored buttons are a dead give-away. Although the Roland was by far a superior synth the Casio CZ series had its charm.