From bruce@ashbysolutions.com Fri Dec 12 17:48:54 2003
Subject:Re: Horn deflectors

Hi Doug,

Deflectors are something I was pretty much unaware of. This is like a
latent discovery for me. What are some of your opinions, comments,
and preferences regarding horn deflectors?

Stock Leslies always came with deflectors, and still do. Rock and R&B players took them off to try to get a little more volume -- kind of a lost cause with a 40W amp -- and since it takes a lot of care to pull the deflectors without damaging them, most of the deflectors ended up in the trash. Thus, most used Leslies you see are deflector-less.

From someone who has played both ways: I will never own another Leslie without deflectors. If you get one with opened horns, a new horn part (without the bearings) will set you back about $30, and is well worth it, IMHO. I've experimented with no deflectors, full deflectors, and even half-deflectors -- with the top 1/3 cut away -- and I prefer the stock sound. Take a look at this article --

http://theatreorgans.com/hammond/faq/mystery/mystery.html

and you'll see that the sound pattern with and without deflectors is completely different. Most of the FM content of the Leslie is dependent on having a more dispersed sound. I've heard people say that deflectors on makes the best Chorale sound, and deflectors off makes the best Tremolo. I disagree: The deflector sound is better at both speeds. If you want more chop at high speed, push the horn mic(s) a little closer. The deflectors are a big part of the 3D sound of a Leslie, IMHO.

Regards,

-BW
--
Bruce Wahler
Ashby Solutions™ http://music.ashbysolutions.com
978.386.7389 voice/fax
bruce@ashbysolutions.com