From bruce@ashbysolutions.com Wed Mar 06 05:38:34 2002
Subject:Re: official New B-3 page..

James,

>--- In CloneWheel@y..., Bruce Wahler wrote:
><< I didn't read that into the description, but it's entirely
>possible. That makes the firmware end of things extremely easy: All
>you have to do is model the tonewheels themselves. >>
>
>Bruce,
>
>Have a look at this: http://hammondb3organ.com/new.php
>
>It talks a bit more about the keyboards, but I'm not sure how
>authoritative this information is. Whilst there isn't much that
>Harvey Olsen doesn't know about Hammonds, it looks like he only
>supplied the pictures, and not the description which appears to have
>some errors in it.

I doubt that most of it comes from Harvey; it looks like it comes straight from Ham-Suz' release information. Also, as in anything that's still in the prototype stage, things might change a bit. And yes, there seems to be some misinformation there (ex: MIDI). I do believe that you are right, however, on the basic architecture of the clone.

It's interesting to look at the entire set of pictures and to then note how determinedly "low tech" the new B-3 is. While some features -- ex: the preset keys and rocker switches -- are necessary to complete a copy of the esthetics and ergonomics of the original, no attempt has been made to add improvements that the original was missing. Two that I could think of are 1) a multiple set (122, 147, 9-pin, 11-pin) of Leslie jacks, like many of the aftermarket preamps have, to allow the owner to re-use Leslies that he/she already has; a foot switch for the Leslie, or at least, a jack to allow the user to add her/his own foot pedal.

Oh well, I don't have the cash to purchase one, so it's all an academic exercise, anyway!

Regards,

-BW

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