From bruce@ashbysolutions.com Sat Oct 12 18:14:26 2002
Subject:Re: Alternative to downloading CX-3 v2.0 upgrade

Hi Eric,

>I don't think we have any users on this forum that have a brand new
>v2.0 CX-3 with the new waterfall keys. I would be interested to know
>more about how this keyboard compares to the original. Same action
>without the little lip? Or a whole new action entirely???

I've also been pondering this issue lately. It's very hard to separate the subjective issues (Damn it, I WANT a waterfall keyboard!) from the objective ones. The CX-3 is pretty unique in this aspect, as it's possible to put an upgraded v1 and a real v2 side-by-side and actually see what's up -- if one can separate the waterfall-want from the actual results, that is.

The shape and feel of the key has a lot to do with the ability to play "Hammond licks" like palm glisses and windmill chops, but some decidedly non-Hammond-like keyboards do fine in this aspect. Many owners are well satisfied with the VK-7's "diving board" keys, and one of the best clone controllers I've used is my Yamaha AN1x, also with the diving board variety. And, as you mentioned, I don't find the short, well-rounded lips on CX-3 keys to be a problem.

For those who have never seen the insides of a real Hammond organ, the keys are quite different from the currently-available synth and e-piano keyboards -- even those like the Electro and BX-3/CX-3 use. Hammond keys are completely "unweighted" by modern standards, and they are held in place by an extension of the front lip, rather than a catch at the rear. What "heft" they have is provided by the nine switch contacts inside each key. I wonder if the waterfall shape was by design, or based on the available moulding processes in 1935.

Another issue is that Hammond keyboards tended to loosen up a little after a few hours of playing, in much the way of acoustic piano keys, or a guitar fretboard. I'll bet that modern keyboards do the same thing, but do they loosen in the same manner?

So I guess the real question is: Does ANY modern keybed, even a waterfall one, really come close to the feel of a traditional Hammond keybed? If heard rumors that the keyboard on the new B-3 "doesn't feel like the old one." It would be ironic if the H-S engineers actually revived the old design for the new B-3; it would show how dangerous subjective testing can be.

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