From tonysounds@yahoo.com Sun Apr 11 11:32:22 2004
Subject:Re: Midwest Hammond Chopper

Yep...I posted 3 pics on our members' rigs page. If you go to the CloneWheel "Files" page, and then click on the "Rigs" file, scroll down until you find the 3 files named "Ynot's Organ: Hammondstore", and "Ynot's Organ: Numerous Complaints" and "Organ Duo" you'll see 3 decent pics showing the organs.

When you look at the top of the HammondStore organ, you'll see there's a lip at the back: that's the lid which is not detachable, just folds up like a regular Hammond. At the top of the Numerous Complaints organ you'll see an even bigger lip: that's the lid which IS detachable; I just left it on for conveniences. I can squeeze my Motif 8 on top of the HamnmondStore organ which means you should be able to fit any keyboard on top of it except maybe an Oberheim OBX. The Numerous Complaints organ has a nice deep top which means you can put ANY keyboard on top of it.

I'm not crazy about the X stand idea for cosmetic reasons, but it holds the organ up just fine, very secure. I dont use the WS550 stand with that organ because it would be too low to the ground for my liking unless I raised the legs, but because of the weight of the organ, I don't feel that is as secure. As long as you use a double braced X stand, the organ will be fine. The HammondStore comes with its own legs and looks very attractive. There's definitely a weight differential in the two organs, and I think the Numerous Complaints chop is lighter by at least 50lbs, though I've never weighed them.

The HammondStore is all tube, the Complaints chop has a solid state Trek II pre with reverb and an extra drive stage, as well as treble and bass knobs. It has a hotter output than my HammondStore chop, and of course packs much easier in the van as it is just a regular rectangle like any other keyboard case (in particular, it's about the size of the top of a Fender Rhodes Suitcase model). The HammondStore is shaped more like a A Frame House which makes lying it down impossible.

Both organs have line out and dual 122 outputs (of course both companies will put either leslie hookups on the organs). The line out of the Hammond Store has a serious buzz, where as the Complaints chop's line out works great with my Speakeasy pre or any fuzz boxes I wanted to use, as if I needed that! The interior of the HammondStore is nice and spacious and easy to work on, where as the Complaints chop is VERY crowded inside...but that may be because I wanted the dual manuals which ate up a lot of the interior real estate.

The HammondStore uses a proprietary expression pedal with a military grade connector; if it goes down on the road, it's usually at the connector, and can be fixed with a soldering iron (happened to me actually; if you buy one of these organs, specify that you want at least 6 feet of cable length to avoid tension on the connector). The Complaints chop uses an Ernie Ball volume pedal that has been altered with a different potentiometer and rewired; it does not go between the organ and leslie or amp, it connects to the organ with one guitar cable. It doesn't act quite like a regular expression pedal, but it still works better than any expression pedal configuration I've had on any clone.

Both organs have cycle regulator. When I bought the Complaints chop I didn't have that done, and at a large outdoor show, when lights kicked on, my organ dropped in pitch by a half-step. The voltage is irrelevant, but it MUST get 60cycles or you'll have tuning issues. I had the regulator retrofitted in that organ, and I had one installed in my HammondStore when I ordered the organ. I really recommend you do the same.

I found out about Numerous Complaints via an issue of Keyboard magazine when they first started their "Keyboard Of The Month" item....he was installment # 3 or 4 I think. He sells them as a single manual or dual manual (like mine).

I really love the sound of both of those organs, and while the HammondStore is just a little more "earthier" sounding, both organs sound great live, much better than any clone. I wish now I had ordered the single manual because I think that model only weighs 150lbs, but you'd have to check on that. I do know the folks at HammondSuzuki know Richard Goodsell (the Numerous Complaints guy) and like him a lot. Both guys (John is the guy at HammondStore) were very good at staying in touch with me and keeping me posted of the progress of my projects. The organ from Complaints came quicker (about 7/8 weeks) than my HammondStore (a little more than 3 months), but I was not in as big hurry for that chopper, and was willing to wait for what he thought would be something more to my liking (I was specific I wanted something more along the lines of the Gregg Allman tone), which was an A100 that had a beautiful keyboard. Both organs had to be built for me: because of the cost and work involved
in these projects, neither guy just builds one and waits to sell it, they build to order, which is better for you anyway (you get the connectors you want, and any custom things, like line out, reverb, cycle regulators, percussion boost....you name it).

Finally, Richard Goodsell at Complaints was very flexible with me. That was my first real chopper (I had bought a cut c3 some years earlier for $900, and let's just say you get what you pay for...that was an awful experience and ruined me on buying a real Hammond for a long time afterwards), and money was an issue. He allowed me a trade for his organ with a relatively new VK7 with a flight case and some cash which was pretty cool. I never regretted that trade in the least, and I am still very happy with this organ.

I know it's another lengthy post, but hopefully I've answered some questions that might come up.
Tony

M T wrote:
Tony...do you have pictures of your chops?

--- tonysounds wrote:
> I dont know anyone in the midwest, but you can call
> Numerous Complaints in Atlanta, Georgia. Richard
> Goodsell built my chopper, it's the size of the top
> piece of Suitcase Rhodes. It sits safely on a
> doublebraced X stand (not the most attractive thing)
> or a Ws550 stand. It has reverb, an additional gain
> stage, 2x122 outputs, a line out for running into a
> nonlesie amplifier, and a Trek II preamp, but
> screams. 404-352-4044 is the number. He'll either
> pick it up, or have it picked up by Roadway for like
> $100.
> This organ is so compact, it fits in the back of a
> minivan no problem, laying down. Propped up by a
> leslie, you still have room for a drum kit!
>
> Another great company is www.thehammondstore.com.
> I have one of their chops too. It's bigger, a bit
> bulkier and heavier, but is all tube, basically your
> organ in a new box with its own stand. Both organs
> sound different, but both work in every style of
> music I've used them in. Both companies will
> arrange for the pickup of your organ. Chopping your
> organ is a lengthy procedure and will take at least
> 4 weeks, so you really gain nothing by driving it
> there yourself.
>
> T
>
> M T wrote:
> I have an A-100 that is ripe for chopping. However,
> I
> have NO skills with a saw (pun sort of intended).
> Really...I cannot do this myself.
>
> I am located in Omaha and am looking for someone to
> do
> the job, preferably in the Midwest. I would be
> willing
> do drive the organ to Minneapolis or K.C. or even,
> maybe, Denver.
>
> Can anyone give me some suggestions?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Mitch
>
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