From eslawson@comcast.net Fri Apr 25 18:54:41 2003
Subject:RE: Leslie 142 or 145 for gigging?

Bob,

142 and 145 cabinets are about 9" shorter and might weigh about 25 lbs less
than their taller siblings. You're still talking about a pretty large
wooden box over 100 lbs, in any event. The sound is very similar. The
short cabs have a little less bass response and some folks say they are
"tighter" in this respect (less boomy). I own and use both extensively and
do find the short cabs easier to cart around (i.e. I can transport a 145
upright in the back of my Trooper vs. the 122 that lies on its side).

As for the amps in the cabs, identical tube amps were used in the 147/145
(147 amp) and 122/142 (122 amp) cabs. So you will have the same basic
amplified sound coming through a slightly smaller cab. You can buy
interfaces for either amp to use them with your VK7. I suggest a Speakeasy
preamp or if that's too much for you, get one of Hammond's 1122 or 1147
connector kits that make the conversion between the 11-pin on your VK7 to
the 6-pin on the Leslie amp.

Carting a Leslie is a labour of love indeed. You will need to account for
the weight and space requirements in your vehicle, extra time and gear for
making the interface to your VK7, and miking the Leslie. If you play with a
loud band, you will need that miked Leslie coming back through a monitor mix
since its acoustic sound cannot keep up with really loud drums and
guitar/bass amps on stage. I have found it easier to go with the internal
simulator on my Electro in most live applications. I only bring a real
Leslie if it is a very high profile or high paying gig on a large stage with
a good PA. I also like to use one in an unplugged situation where the sound
of the Leslie itself will work without the need for mikes. And the Leslie
is a necessity in the studio. There are many Leslie purists who would not
dream of playing any gig without their trusty Leslie. I have faded back and
forth between being a purist and trying to save the effort of bringing the
Leslie.

Any way you slice it, a real Leslie is a true pleasure and you would be well
served to start off with one of the shorter cabinets if you want to take the
plunge.

Regards,
Eric Lawson
Moderator
CloneWheel Support Group
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CloneWheel/

-----Original Message-----
From: Robert Baker [mailto:bakerfp@mindspring.com]
Sent: Friday, April 25, 2003 8:44 PM
To: CloneWheel@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [CWSG] Leslie 142 or 145 for gigging?

For years I have played a Roland VK7. Now that I am playing a B3 through a
122 at church, I am getting spoiled. I still need to used the VK7 for
gigging but am thinking about using a real Leslie. I have never seen a 142
or 145 but have read they are smaller versions of their 122 and 147 big
brothers. Are they significantly smaller such that carting them around for
gigs would be easier? Is the sound fairly similar? Anyone have any
experience with these models?

Thanks,

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