From john@johncornicello.com Sat Feb 14 18:06:20 2004
Subject:Re: agonizing over upgrading my vk7

Damon, have you had the chance to try the Electro?

I'm wondering how the lack of drawbars would affect you. With the V-combo
you have real drawbars to feel. The drawbar feedback on the Electro seems to
me to be all visual. There is no tactile feedback of the drawbar settings.
You hold a button down and watch the LEDs to set the tone. Would that be a
hindrance to you?

I'm now using a VK-8 with the latest upgrade from Roland (that is supposed
to make it equal to the v-combo: 4 amp simulations, updated rotary effect).
Used through a set of stereo speakers I'm really quite happy with it.

I used to have a Hammond C3. Last weekend I played a late-night show in a
small place where the band was pushed off to the side of the stage, pretty
much out of the view of the audience. After the show a friend stopped me on
the way out to say that he couldn't see the band, but was really happy to to
hear that we used the B3. Almost didn't have the heart to tell him I sold
the Hammond and was using the Roland that night. I've done no editing of the
settings on the VK8 since upgrading. It was straight, but through a stereo
mixer and separate speakers. And that seems to be the answer. Sent through a
mono system (as I do at rehearsals) it is just OK. Before the upgrade,
though, even in stereo I hated the rotating simulation.

Every time I go into my local Guitar Center I try the V-Combo and the
Electro. I still prefer the Roland sound. And the simplicity of the organ
section. The Electro seems like it might be too visual (buttons/LEDs for
drawbars, Leslie speed switch in the wrong place, etc.).

John