From vintageB3@VINTAGE.force9.co.uk Mon Sep 27 12:17:00 2004
Subject:Hammond XK-3...my two bobs worth.

Hi Guys...

It's my first post here...I have been lurking for a few months now.

Bit of my background...I've been lugging, playing...servicing, repairing,
and renting out Hammond's and Leslie's for many years....

I also tour worldwide with a few acts as a keyboard tech...

I've had a Hammond XK-3 since June...and must admit that I think it's
amazing.

The first time I tried the XK-3 with a Leslie 122....I didn't want it to
sound right...but it did....and I must admit that I had a lump in my throat.

We have used it at a few festivals this year including Glastonbury. And it
performs so well...many of the other acts...were asking so many questions
about it.

What I have to say is not intended to upset anyone....If you like what you
use...that's great....but I really do think that Hammond Suzuki have cracked
the thing that has escaped the other manufactures for so long. They have
captured all the nuances and "faults" that we have become so used to with
the old gear.

I feel that the other manufactures organs are simulators...my personal
opinion is that the new B3 and the XK-3 are clones in the truest sense of
the word....a clone being an exact copy.

I haven't played about too much with the internal Leslie simulator...must
admit that I'm not too interested in that at present...I always use a 122 or
147 with the XK-3 and HS 1122 and 1147 kits.

I can't really understand why anyone would expect a vintage 58' B3 into a
Peavey KB300 to sound like a B3 and a Leslie...so in turn...why would we
expect a Hammond XK-3 into a Peavey KB300 to sound like a Hammond and a
Leslie. I may be proved wrong...but I don't think that anyone will crack the
Leslie sound.

But even in saying that...I feel I have to intimate something that happened
back in June that blew me away.

I'm hoping that one of the guys on this list with a bit more time than me at
present can try what I found....and maybe take this further.

I tried the XK-3 through a Leslie combo pedal II and a Leslie 760.

It obviously didn't sound as good as through a 122...but it was passably.

So picture the scene...I had the 760 at my back...and I had the output from
the 1/4" out into the combo pedal.

I only had the organ hours...so I didn't realise at that time the Leslie
simulator kicked in when you went 1/4" out.

The combo pedal has the option of stop for the rotors....and by mistake I
hit stop on the pedal.

I hit one of Joey's demo tunes....and thought it sounded quite good through
the 760....I say again...not as good as through a 122.

Halfway through the tune...I turned and looked at the Leslie...the Joey's
demo was playing a section with Leslie on tremolo...BUT the Leslie rotors
weren't turning!

It really threw me for about 3-4 seconds...I thought I had blown something
up....I was SEEING a stopped Leslie....but HEARING a rotating Leslie.

It got worse (or better)...when Joey hit the Chorale....the bass rotor
pulsed away as though it was slowing down and speeding up at the slower
speed you would expect from the heaver bass rotor.

Then I realised what was going on....and was blown away!

Makes me think that all that is required for smaller gigs (like for
me)...all I would need is a box with Leslie drivers mounted (to colour the
sound)....a small valve amp(to colour the sound)...and a NO motors.

Could be easy to mike up as well....and then just stick the results in to a
mixing desk and monitor/FOH from that.

Anyone else been here? I found this out?

Makes me wonder if any of the other organ sims would benefit from this type
of treatment....

I think most of us know by experience that it's really the Leslie that gives
as the Hammond/Leslie sound....

I did play with the key click on the first day I had the XK-3...thought it a
bit harsh...but this was when i took the XK-3 home...and I didn't have a
Leslie..and was using headphones. As soon as i got it back on the 122..I
defaulted the board back to factory spec....since the key click sounds good
going through a valve amp.

As I say...What I write is not intended to upset anyone...if you use a Korg
or whatever...and you are happy with it fine...but if you are thinking about
buying a clone...there is only one in my book.

Mark Trayner, Vintage Hammond Hire (Scotland)
Tel/Fax +44(0)1333 422600 mobile +44 (0)7976 908 039
mailto:VintageB3@VINTAGE.f9.co.uk web-site: http://www.VINTAGE.f9.co.uk
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