From bruce@ashbysolutions.com Sun Nov 16 19:33:15 2003
Subject:Re: Elka X-50

Hi Andre,

>I just wanted to ask what you know about the Elka X-50, how it compares
>to a Korg CX-3 and what you would pay for it.
>
>Would you better go for a CX-3? Or is the sound of the X-50 just as good?

I owned and played an X-50 from 1982 until about 1988.

Compared to the OLD CX-3 (1980's): They are comparable. There are some things I like about the X-50, others that I like about the CX-3. The X-50 has more adjustments, and it comes built into a case. Neither one got the foldback, Leslie sim, or percussion quite right; both sound decent through a real Leslie. More people still play the CX-3, but the X-50 was not well marketed. (In the US, I am the only person that I've ever met who owned one!)

Compared to the NEW CX-3 (1999+): There is no comparison. The new CX-3 has chorus vibrato, a very nice Leslie sim, better percussion, and all of the controls are in the right place. The foldback is correct, and the basic tibia sounds are better, too. A lot happens in electronics in 20 years!

Regards,

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