From mike@fleetfootmike.net Wed Apr 17 08:20:14 2002
Subject:Intending to buy a clone...

The target date is actually mid-October (my wife's 40th birthday), and
I'm looking for a dual-manual, giggable clone for use in a Rumours-era
Fleetwood Mac tribute band in the UK, preferably with a decent enough
Leslie not to need to lug one around (but see below).

Now, obviously, prices are subject to fluctuations and market forces,
but currently, my choices seem to be:

VK-77: about UKP 4100 (OUCH!)
BX-3: coming out in May, at around UKP 2500
OB-5: Turnkey offering them around UKP 1300, I believe
'old' BX-3: second hand around UKP 700

I'm assuming, though, that the VK-77 will come crashing down in price
once the BX-3 hits the shops. Apparently it's only available 'on
special order' in the UK currently.

Questions include:

Have I missed anything obvious off this list?
Do Hammond-Suzuki do a two manual clone?
Given the style Christine McVie plays (largely pad chords, rather than
jazz chops or lead), are some of the shortcomings of various models
going to be hidden/exacerbated?

In a semi-related question: does anyone know anything about Sharma
rotary speaker cabs? We're about to buy the house/workshop where they
were made, and it's sort of tempting to try and acquire one.

Mike

P.S. If you know my wife, it's a SECRET, OK?!