From bruce@ashbysolutions.com Fri Apr 19 03:27:37 2002
Subject:Re: Intending to buy a clone...

Hi Mike,

>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.

Not necessarily. For one thing, the VK-77 has additional (orchestral) voices and pedal capabilities, so it is not exactly an apples-for-apples comparison to the BX-3. For another thing, crashing prices are a painful thing in the retail world. In addition to the obvious lost revenues, it tends to upset recent customers who paid the earlier price. Falling prices, therefore, usually coincide with the end-of-life of a product. I have no idea of the VK-77 is going E-O-L.

That said, though, the BX-3 (or OB-5) is probably a better fit for EXACTLY what you need in your situation.

>Questions include:
>
>Have I missed anything obvious off this list?
>Do Hammond-Suzuki do a two manual clone?

Yes, but it's the XB-3/XC-3, and I doubt that it's under your consideration, due to both price and size. I don't think they make the XB-5 anymore, but you might find one around.

>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?

They're probably going to be hidden. Ms. McVie tended to be buried in the mix often, and so the sounds are less critical. She also tended not to use vibrato chorus or percussion all that much, so these features are again less important. I used a Farfisa and MXR flanger to cover Fleetwood Mac sounds in a band in the late 70's/early 80's, and no one seemed to mind all that much. Any real clone is going to be SO much better!

That said, it's a question of how good a copy of the original the band is striving for. The Leslie sim is probably going to be the biggest variable, and also the most subjective area when ranking the different candidates. In particular, the old BX-3's Leslie sim was great for its day, but is considered a poor copy in 2002. I would suggest that you do a careful audition before buying. If you end up with the Sharma speaker, make sure you hear all choices through it prior to making your purchase.

Regards,

-BW

--
Bruce Wahler
Ashby Solutions™ http://music.ashbysolutions.com
CloneWheel Support Group moderator
978.386.7389 voice/fax
bruce@ashbysolutions.com