From jeep99@bright.net Wed Dec 19 14:13:42 2001
Subject:Re: Midi-draws

Larry,
I'm not real MIDI-savy and I'm not sure I completely follow what
you're trying to do, but ......if you just need a cost effective
(please read as cheap) midi drawbar unit, could you use something
like an old OB3(not squared) or OB3(squared). I gig with the squared
unit and have for about a year now with no problems (which is good
because tech support is non-existant). I got mine real cheap off the
net and in pristine condition for $ 210.00. The non-squared older
model should be even cheaper. I have seen them offered up for
ridiculously higher prices lately, but if you shop around maybe you
can find a deal. Some have said they don't like the Oberheim attempt
at the Hammond sound, but if you're only needing it as a MIDI drawbar
controller, I think it might work. Personally, I find the OB3
squared very useable for weekend bar gigs. I have, however, given
into peer pressure (just like the 70's) from being a member of this
group and should receive my brand new V5 today via UPS. I plan on
keeping the Oberheim as back-up since it doesn't owe me a dime. I
just thought if you don't need the "as close to a B-3 sound as you
can get" feature, maybe even some other more less popular clones such
as Blue Chip would work, as long as they're MIDI and feature drawbars
and you can pick one up reasonable enough. As you can tell, I don't
take advantage of all the MIDI features as I am an old Hammond
veteran and just use the upper manual controls, usually setting and
tweaking the drawbars manually and programming a few popular pre-sets
(the simpler the better). OB3 squared vs. V5 = V5 winner every time
but not $ 500.00 difference better. I've stated before that I would
rate it as 75% as good as V5 and soon I'll be able to verify through
A-B comparison and unlimited evaluation time period.


--- In CloneWheel@y..., Larry Schurr wrote:
> Melvin,
> Though I'd never doubt your opinion or needs, I could never
envision myself
> using an entire V5 solely for Bass. Just don't have that sorta
loot.
>
> Nowadays, V3's are darn near down to half the money of a V5. Or
maybe
> it's my own lack of talent. I call myself a pianist, or a keyboard
> (-ist, player?) but not an *organ*-ist as such. Perhaps were I,
there'd
> be no hesitation to press such a primo piece into seemingly humble
service.
>
> Two V5's would be great. Again, that rent/food/music question.
Even as
> much time/trouble as this whole experiment has been, a dual CX-3
would've
> been about an even shot were you to count my time spent.
>
> Thanks for the encouragement. You sound like one those *organists*
that
> could teach me plenty.
>
> Larry
>
> > Dear Larry,
> >
> > After my V5 midi crises, I concluded that the best way for me to
go would be
> > to get 2 V5s. I can't afford sound failures in the middle of
songs (who
> > can?), so I concluded that the only safe way to go would be 2 V5s.
> >
> > But the CX3 came out, so I went with Korg instead of buying a
second V5.
> > However, even with all the midi problems I encountered, I liked
and still
> > like the V5! I currently use it for bass pedals; for my taste,
it has a more
> > satisfying bass-pedal tone--one with more of a true "center" to
the
> > pitch--than the Korg. I think the pitch-mass difference between
the two is
> > most pronounced in the bass--at least in my setup. So I'm still
a V5 fan.
> > But I like the Korg for manuals well enough. Best of luck to
your musical
> > endeavors.