From xb3bill@aol.com Fri Mar 01 00:07:55 2002
Subject:Re: official New B-3 page (long post)

--- "David Jacques" wrote:
<<<... However, when a computer becomes obsolete companies stop
supporting them. I have seen it in the entertainment lighting
business where $20,000 lighting boards that were manufactured a few
years ago are left unsupported when new technology is introiduced. Do
you think that Hammond / Suzuki will still be supporting 10 year old
technology in 2012? I doubt it... I will keep my 1955, 1961,and 1963
B3's, thank you...>>

I agree 100% with David. Regarding "obsolete" stuff..been there,
done that, and I'm not going back anytime soon concerning the "New B-
3".

I previously owned a late 1997 year model XB-3. Remember this was
Hammond's flagship model, not some low cost thing to compete with a
Kmart special. I bought it used in February 2000, paid a low market
price for it since it was a floor demo closeout model the dealer was
wanting moved, but in very nice shape. I didn't hate it, it served
me well for the time for what I was doing.

However, there were some short comings with the XB-3 that I felt H/S
completely duped all XB-3 and XB-3a owners with. Sure, these were
there from day one and I knew about them, but when the XB-3m (current
flagship production model, although never updated yet to show that on
H/S homepage...go figure) came out, there was great celebration about
the vib/cho effects and the perc being "fixed" and the vib/chor knob
being added. I do not doubt that it was an improvement. However, I
was told by a very reliable Hammond source (very reputable Hammond
dealer) that H/S has absolutely no plans to provide this as an
upgrage to the XB-3 or XB-3a, and at the time my XB-3 was less than 4
years old. Sure, there's some hardware differences with the XB-3m,
but offering absolutely no option whatsover to update XB-3 or XB-3a
models they had just produced was totally unacceptable to me. (XB-3a
is just basically an XB-3 with the GM1000 MIDI features internal). I
immediately decided it was *past* time to sell it, and I have sold
it. There was nothing wrong with it, never gave me any problems, but
I was not going to keep it and risk H/S withdrawing spare part
support for it at any given time. Talk about having a late 1990's
dinosaur!!! It would make no difference what you paid for an XB-3,
new or used, the same decision by H/S applied to all.

I fully realize computer technology changes so fast, and there may a
lot involved in capturing the old B-3 sound completely. However, the
cost of an XB-3 does not make the "obsolete" equipment declaration by
the manufacturer something that I will accept. The "New B-3" may be
awesome, I never heard one yet. However, I'm willing to bet that it
is not the end of the road by H/S in replicating the old B-3.
Remember, they're not really *inventing* something totally brand new
here, they're trying to capture old technology's character with lots
of newer technology. There will be new technology that does
it "better" or cheaper than it is now, and could very likely be
incompatible with the parts used in the current model of the "New B-
3". Then what will you have? You'll have something that probably
isn't too bad, but has so much less value in a very short time when
the "improved" New B-3 is introducted. Of course depreciation will
happen with instruments like the XK-2, VK-7, etc. but you haven't
spent nearly the money either. Face it, H/S is *not* in the business
of making family heirlooms and supporting them for years. In their
former lifetime that happened (B-2, B3, etc.) and they are competing
with all that now.

Comparing the prices of "New B-3's" to cars, and car depreciation, is
only partically correct. The "New B-3" should last much longer than
an average car. Do you think you'll really wear out a "New B-3" at
the same rate as a car will wear out? No way, and it's price
shouldn't fall that fast either. Maybe it won't, but if the XB-3
family history is any guide, it will. The financial risk is quite
high, you really should give it a lot of thought. If you have the
money and want to spend it, then enjoy. If you don't, I certainly
wouldn't start selling other items to get a "New B-3". You'll
probably find one in decent shape for a lot less in not too long of a
time after they're in production and you'll have more time to find
out more about them. I think H/S has done an awful job in promoting
it on their web page, there's no excuse for that. How tough is it to
take some good digital pictures and have a good thorough write up??
I personally don't have a lot of confidence that H/S will treat
the "New B-3" any different than they did the XB-3 when they are
ready to make a change.

I actually do wish H/S well with the "New B-3", but I'd certainly
caution anyone considering buying when they become available to give
it a lot of very very serious thought. Hammond is not targeting the
home market or the enthusiast with the "New B-3". It may be an
awesome instrument, but so are my B-2 and B-3, and I'm sticking with
them.

Bill