From fortepianonj@yahoo.com Mon Dec 26 07:22:15 2005
Subject:Re: Hammond XK-1

At the NAMM show there are people (we call them the
"sound police") whose sole job is to walk the
convention center aisles with a decibel monitor. If a
booth's music is too loud, then the booth owner
receives a warning. If they get too many warnings for
not abiding by the sound guidelines, then NAMM can
shut them down. Also, nearby booth occupants can file
complaints if a "neighbor's" music is too noisy and
for prolonged periods of time.

I didn't go by the HS booth all that often in '05, but
when I did, most of the time when one of their artists
were playing, it almost became a concert. A crowd
would gather, and yes, everyone enjoyed the great
music coming from the booth. However, this is not the
place for a concert. NAMM offers other opportunities
(for a fee) for extended "product demos" and
mini-concerts. NAMM offers closed rooms which can be
rented, and the artists can turn up the volume, within
reason, of course. There are also concert
opportunities in the lobby and lobby hallways. Of
course there is a fee to do this too. So, there are
options for HS if they want to make a lot of sound.

Keep in mind that the main purpose of the NAMM show is
for manufacturers and distributors to do business with
existing and prospective dealers. It is not for the
artists to show their stuff. While it is wonderful to
hear the instruments (and the technology), the dealers
do not need to hear a lot to place an order or to go
on as a dealer. There must be a balance. Indeed, there
are other things that are actually more important to a
dealer when they are investing in product: ie. dealer
support, customer service, warranty support,
clinicians for store promos, etc. etc. A concert can
be heard later. Dealers look for solid support from a
manufacturer and sales personnel who know their
products.

Dealers and manufacturers pay hefty fees to belong to
NAMM, and the shows have to be an environment where
business can take place. Don't knock the NAMM show!

FP

--- David Jacques wrote:

>
> Over 100 sound complaints? Just because Joey D and
> all the
> otehr greats were jammin at the booth? Fuck em! If
> these
> guys cant appreciate musical genious, then NAMM will
> never
> be the same. That is one of the great draws for me.
> I know
> that NAMM is not meant for me, but for music
> merchandisers. But I get in as a press
> representative
> reporting for a worship magazine that I write for,
> and
> organ is at the top of my list (needless to say).
> Hearing
> the amazing sounds coming for the instruments that
> Joey
> and the others play certainly helps appreciate the
> technology.
>
> This will be unfortunate if true.
>
> I agree with your comments re the XK1. The 11 pin is
> very
> important, espscially if you use a real leslie like
> the
> 2101. Like I mention before, losing the second set
> of
> drawbars is also unfortunate. But the weight
> reduction is
> certainly a good thing (from the perspective of this
> 50
> year old pro)...
>
> Having a second portable organ does not make much
> sense to
> me. It would have to be carefully priced. Although a
> very
> interesting parrallel to this is what the Japanese
> do with
> the Toyota line. For instance, a Lexas 300 costs
> about
> $40,000, but they also product the Toyota Avalon
> (basically the same car) for $10,000 less. Maybe
> they will
> call this new Hammond the "Suzuki Tiger"...
>
> On Fri, 23 Dec 2005 20:58:20 -0800 (PST)
> S S wrote:
> > The XK-1 looks a LOT like the XK-2 of a few
> years