From c_schonberger@yahoo.com Wed Aug 29 14:35:15 2007
Subject:Re: Clonewheel vs. Tonewheel

Just throwing in my 2C:

I think the various parameters are interacting with each other. For example: My XK-3 sounds O.K. even with the so-so onboard leslie sim when I use settings such as the 008000000 "whistle" for solos (the leakage noise and light flutter of the tonewheels are just spot-on and provides great material for the leslie). Same with "closed" settings such as 888000000. Very nice.
As soon as I pull, out some isolated drawbars to bring in some shimmer and audible harmonic foldback (you all know and love the routine), like, say: 888005000 or 888005004, it starts sounding cheap and unpleasant to my ears. The leslie sim sounds bad and thin and those high whistles don't have that Hammond "glow". Same for the C-3 Chorus vibrato. I usually go for the C-2 which is a little too soft but better sounding and it doesn't make the keyclick so harsh sounding (a serious flaw of the XK-3 in it's present version IMHO)

One of my fav Hammond moments is when the C-3 is in and the chord played allows for some high 1' drawbar whistles/shine to be audible - then the Leslie goes from tremolo to chorale and the C-3 seems to come out from underneath. Can't get enough of that sound.
Tons of that in Gospel music and classic 70s rock. Very complex and I guess if just one of the sounds/parameters isn't spot-on, it doesn't sound quite right.
I learned to avoid certain drawbar settings on my XK-3 which would sound great on a good vintage Hammond.

...just my input,
Christian



Robert Kennedy wrote:
> ... that difficult-to-describe Hammond bell-
> like/shimmering/burbley sound...
> ... So, where does "that sound" come from?

To me it seems to come from a combination of:
1. The Jensen compression treble driver in the leslie,
2. Tonewheel leakage in just the right amount,
3. Some small amount of distortion somewhere, and
4. Who knows what else? I have no idea.

All I know is my A-100/760 setup has it. So you don't need a tube
leslie. I have heard it in clones (XK-3, C1), but not always.

-- Robert




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