Help with Midi Controller needed!

I am a guitar player who also dabbles in keyboards. I am looking to aquire a small, simple keyboard setup so I can double on guitar and keys at gigs. I currently have a Korg Wavestation and a Korg DW8000, but I am really looking to get into a decent Midi controller keyboard and a rack unit or two.

My problem is that I am totally baffled when it comes to Midi and all that is related. When I was playing a lot of keys with bands was back in the days of the old Poly 6 and DX-7. All I really need is something that allows me to play some nice piano - organ - string - brass sounds. No weird ambient noises needed!

I have seen some of the Kurtzweil half-rack synths on eBay for cheap (around $250) and some Midi Controllers for around $300. I don't want to buy junk, but I also don't need a lot of whistles and bells.

Anyway - any advice on some pieces of gear that might help me out would be appreciated. My watchwords for this venture are - inexpensive - reasonable quality - simple operation - good basic keyboard tones.

Given all the criteria you list, you hit the nail on the head with the Kurz module and a controller! It doesn't get any simpler or inexpensive for that level of quality. I've got the Kurzweil ME-1 and it has some absolutely fantastic sounds of what you're looking for...how many keys do you need in your controller?