From hasbenrocker@yahoo.com Tue Apr 25 13:27:29 2006
Subject:Re: XK-1 vs. XK-3 carried further. (and further...)

Thank you Mr. Evett

Allan Evett wrote: I too have found H/S to be a bit of a corporate
'rabbit hole'....From my experience in purchasing and
using an XK-2 several years ago, to current efforts to
access product information, there seems to be a lack
of consistency in product marketing and presentation.
My experience is that this issue is present both in
the area of pre-sales (media) and 'point of sale'
(dealer setup/presentation/stock availability.) It
reminds me a bit of what is was like to purchase
electronic keyboards in the late 70's - still a 'hit
or miss' thing in most music stores. H/S should be
studying Yamaha, Korg, or Roland on this issue.
Information is consistent and readily available on
various models - most of which are normally in-stock,
playable, etc. at most dealers.

Interesting point too, Allen, on the popularity of
clones and the success of competitors. I suspect that
Roland and Korg will likely be showing new clonewheel
models in the next year or so...Plus, look at the
popularity of Nord, N/I B4, etc. - and their products
continue to evolve...

And, I know that almost all major manufacturers have
their 'niche pieces' for markets outside the US. But,
I find it frustrating that apparently H/S is planning
on selling the XM-2/XM-2c only in the European market.
I've spent a fair amount of time behind an XK-3, at
one of my local music stores; and, much as I enjoy my
Roland VK-8M, the XK-3 goes a bit beyond that for me.
To my ears, there's something that Vase III has over
the VK sound engine. That said though, I don't need
another keyboard in my rig; so, the Vase III XM-2
would be great - except that I can't get it here....
So, it'll probably be another brand of clone module
that will surpass the VK for me...So, if there are
enough of us that feel that way, and H/S continues in
their method of operation, perhaps they will
eventually follow in the footsteps of the original
Hammond Organ Company....

Allan Evett

--- allen renles wrote:

> Understood and appreciated. But the fact remains
> their descriptions are misleading and contradictory.
> Can it be the company now responsible for
> manufacturing the most popular organ in history
> can't afford the time or trouble to give accurate
> and comprehensive descriptions of their products?
>
> When I was shopping for a Leslie sound for my XK-3,
> I found far more info on Motion Sound than on the
> real Leslies. While I finally decided on a Leslie,
> it was only because there was FAR more overall
> infomation, more opinions, good and not-so-good, on
> Motion Sound. It was a very tough choice, and Leslie
> won on faith alone. I just hope I'm not sorry.
>
> It was more than a dip in the popularity of home
> organs that led to the demise of the original
> Hammond Organ Company. It was the marketing method,
> or lack thereof, competition and economics. Factors
> as volatile today as they were then.
>
> The present resurgence in popularity of
> Suzuki/Hammonds could vanish in an instant. This new
> generation Hammonds are as venerable to a turn-about
> as the B-3 was jsut a few years before production
> ceased. The popularity of clones, and the success of
> copier/competitors should serve as a warning. While
> still known and respected as the ultimate
> professional organ, most of the loyalty stems not
> from Suzuki/Hammond's efforts, but from Hammond
> Organ Company's golden age.
>
> I'm thankful they've carried on the name, and the to
> a lesser degree, the sound, but their appearent
> indifference toward potential customers borders on
> insulting. Who ever is in charge of the company
> image is doing a pi$$ poor job. I'm especially
> offended by their website article concerning the
> dangers of purchasing a vintage Hammond. It does
> nothing more than reinforce something we already
> know. Only a real Hammond is a real Hammond.
>
> jjmcs49 wrote: These product
> feature pieces were not all written on the same day.
>
> When the XK-2 was introduced (years ago) it's VASE
> II technology was
> what Hammond considered the highest level of
> technology at that time.
> The XE-1 is about the same vintage and apparently
> uses the same VASE
> II technology. The XB-2 had DRB Sampling which,
> although Hammond must
> have thought was good for it's time, was not as
> good as the VASE
> technology. Now years later Hammond developes
> advancements and
> improvements to it's VASE technology which it calls
> VASE III to
> differentiate it from VASE II. Maybe there have
> been some
> enhancements to the VASE III technology, but not
> enough to call it
> VASE IV. Maybe the x2 means something like
> oversampling as was
> frequently mentioned on CD cases to indicate better
> sound quality.
> Yes, it would be nice to know exactly what it
> means, but ultimately,
> so what. The XK-1 is in a lower priced product
> class than the XK-3 so
> while it uses the same basic technology it would
> have the most
> advanced technology in its product class while
> being no more advanced
> than the XK-3. I would imagine that they have been
> making on going
> improvements to the Digital Leslie as well so the
> XK-3's would be
> better than the XE-1's.
>
> --- In CloneWheel@yahoogroups.com, allen renles
>
> wrote:
> >
> > Confused?
> >
> > Thanks for the opportunity. I've been wanting to
> vent about
> Hammond's unclear, and likely intentionally
> confusing claims for
> quite a while. I would have thought Hammond could
> afford a better ad
> agency, better copy writers or at least a sales
> department that
> reviewed what is on their website.
> >
> > Is it just me, or do they not know how to promote
> their product?
> >
> > P.S.
> > I currently own an XK-3, purchased in spite of,
> not because of,
> Hammond's website content. Great product, lousy
> marketing. They
> should learn from what eventually happened to the
> real Hammond Organ Company. Can you say Deja Vu
> >
>
> ---------------------------------
>
>
>
>
> ---------------------------------
> How low will we go? Check out Yahoo! Messenger�s low
> PC-to-Phone call rates.
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been
> removed]
>

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