From bruce@ashbysolutions.com Thu Aug 22 11:37:34 2002
Subject:Re: Leslie Vs Motion Sound

Hi Mark,

>So replace the driver. Some might suggest the current replacement
>driver sold by Hammond-Suzuki and their techs and deals. Your
>mileage may vary, but I hate it. It's glassy and bright and the
>response is very uneven, with a big boost starting at the high F
>sharp (sure, yah, just where I wanted it!!!) YMMV, but I LOVE the
>new phenolic driver sold by BT Productions. This driver sounds quite
>a bit like the original Jensen, which is also phenolic, no
>coincidence.

The new H-S driver is also phenolic. IMHO, the issue is the damping resistor -- which, coincidentally, many dealers and techs remove because "it makes the Leslie cut through better." Adding the damping resistor to the new treble driver pulls it back in line with the V21 in terms of even sound. The only issue is that H-S ships the driver with a 15 watt 15-ohm resistor, which arguably limits the tweeter to about 30 watts. A better solution is to go to Radio Shack and buy two of those 8-ohm 25 watt resistors they sell, tie two ends together, solder them, and tape them off. What you are left with is a 50 watt 16-ohm resistor, which will boost the driver capabilities.

>Some people say that removing the scrim cloth from the bottom rotor
>makes the low end a little louder. Hmmmm. I don't know if it does
>or not, but I like watching the bottom rotor turn, which you can't
>see very well with the cloth on. It's also a way to see at a clkance
>if you're in tremolo or not if you don't have an indicator light.
>This might not be the best idea though, cuz the bottom rotor creates
>a lot of wind and so mic'ing an open bottom rotor at a gig may create
>some wind noise. Alternatively you can mic from the louvers or use a
>wind screen.

If you're going to remove the scrim cloth, I would recommend pulling off the rotor -- a somewhat painful process for the mechanically disinclined -- removing the metal/rubber parts, cleaning the wood assembly, and coating it with 2-3 coats of a black gloss paint like Krylon. This seals the wood grain and cuts down on the wind resistance. It also make the rotor cleanable with a damp sponge, after it soaks up 2-3 years worth of bar dust and smoke!

Regards,

-BW

--
Bruce Wahler
Design Consultant
Ashby Solutions™ http://consult.ashbysolutions.com
CloneWheel Support Group and HiNote moderator
978.386.7389 voice/fax
bruce@ashbysolutions.com