From chuckh4115@yahoo.com Thu Jan 09 09:20:35 2003
Subject:Re: Chop Shop

Everything in life is a trade-off.
Chopping a Hammond makes it somewhat more portable than the A. I
used to have an A and it was a pia to move. Heavier than a B and no
space underneath to grab to wiggle it around on stage.
I WOULD NOT chop the A case. Take the guts out and send them to a
reputable shop that does custom case work. Also, buy yourself the
top of the line Trek amp. Bob Schleicher sells the Trek and also
tunes it up a bit so that it sounds better. The Trek is a lot
smaller and lighter than the A's preamp. Also fits in a chop case
much better.

Call Bob and he will send you instructions on shipping your TG and
manuals to CA.

Be advised it ain't cheap but he does great work.

I don't own one but I've heard from several folks that own his stuff.

Also, you still need two folks to move the chop. Unless you're built
like AHNOLD or the HULK. Add a road case to a chop and VOILA back to
300 pounds.

EXAMPLE-I have been using a BX3, laptop with the B4, midi merger so I
can run two midi instruments from the BX3, Midiman 2x2, Echo card, SE
preamp, Leslie, stand, seat, cables for the above mess, stand for the
laptop, case for the above gear and cables, case for the BX3 etc.

It takes me more time to load in and load out than it does if I use
my B3 and one Leslie. I'm in and out in less than 15 minutes with
the real deal.

One is heavy and breaks your back. The other way takes longer and is
a nightmare to wire up. All of this wiring also increases the
opportunity for something to go wrong. AND getting it going in the
first place is always an interesting exercise. It never fires up and
plays correctly the first time. I have to reset drivers or assign
midi outputs or something everytime.

SO it's all relative to what you're willing top put up with.
Personally, I'm using the B3 this weekend. At least it works when I
hit the START button.
Have fun
Chuck

__________________________________________________
Do you Yahoo!?
Yahoo! Mail Plus - Powerful. Affordable. Sign up now.
http://mailplus.yahoo.com