ROLAND VK8 M

[reggiejanisian]

HEY IM ABOUT TO PURCHASE A ROLAND VK8 M USED FOR 675 I JUST WANTED TO KNOW IF ANY OF YOU PLAYED ONE I NEVER HAVE BUT I HEARD ONE ON ROLANDUS.COM ITS THE SAME THING AS THE VK8 BUT WITHOUT THE KEYS JUST TO SEE WHAT YOU GUYS THINK I MEAN I KNOW ITS NOT A REAL B3 BUT PEOPLE SAY ITS CLOSER THAN THE HAMMOND XK AND THAT IT SOUNDS PRETTY GOOD

[Bronzee]

Reggie, I have one..its very nice..the closet sound to a b3 for me. RMS2003 has one also. Most guys love it. Well, I do too..LOL. How did u get one for that low price? 

[musiqisme26]

let me know how you like it cuz that might be my answer

[reggiejanisian]

a guy off ebay i know he can get anyboard you want for cheap new used or whatever

[musiqisme26]

be careful with some ebay cats always do paypal if you can

[reggiejanisian]

i really dont understand pay pal but i bought alot of stuff from him already through money order

[RMS2003]

Definately go for it. I owned one for a year and then I moved up to the keyboard version. $675 isn't a bad deal at all. I wouldn't let mine go for less than $750.  Down the road if you want to connect it to a leslie, get one of Speakeasy's tube preamps that has a 6-pin output and you're all set.

I'm currently in the market for a leslie speaker myself so if anyone has one they want to part with, I might be interested.

[reggiejanisian]

RMS2003 so you can hook the vk8m to a leslie what kind of leslie and do it sounds like the real b3 i heard its the closets to the real deal

[RMS2003]

Yes, that's correct. I'd imagine it would sound just as good as a B3. Steve Hayes makes a clone pedal preamp using tube circuitry, instead of trying to emulate it. What this preamp does is warm up and mellow out the tone coming from the organ clone. These pedal preamps have 6-pin outputs that connect to the leslie tube amp. There are two types, the 122 and 147. The 122 version should work with models 122, 142, 21H, 22H, 31H, and other members of the Type 122 family. And the 147 version should work with models 147, 145, 45, 46, 47, 44W, 125, and other members of the Type 147 family.

On the VK-8m, you'll need a preset with the bypass enabled. This requires the Soundside upgrade. However there is a workaround. While in chorale, hit the brake button when the horn is the closest/loudest to your ear. This supposedly works just as well.

[Bronzee]

i got mines off ebay for 650.00 from this guy that wanted to sell his quick..cause he brought an organ.  It was a good deal so i got it. I am happy with mines.

[reggiejanisian]

RMS2003 SO TELL ME WHAT I NEED TO GET AND WHERE AND IF YOU DONT MIND GIVE ME A GUESSING PRICE OF ALL THE STUFF


THANKS MAN

[RMS2003]

To set up your VK-8M with a leslie? If so, here's how.

Obviously the first step would be to get a leslie. Find one of the above listed models. A good place to find restored leslie's with all new parts is www.keyboardexchange.com and www.speakeasyvintagemusic.com. Keyboard Exchange sells anywhere from $1750 to $2200, depending on the outward appearance, plus $190 shipping. Speakeasy has a flat rate price of $1800 plus $200 shipping. You'll need a 6-pin leslie cable. I'd recommend just getting one off Ebay, you'll probably find one cheaper there. Next you'll need Speakeasy's Clone Pedal Preamp with Type 122 (or 147) output. The 122 version is $458.95 and the 147 version is $448.95. They also make 9-pin and 11-pin pedal preamps. These pedal preamps are important because they allow you to control the leslie speed and like I said before, the preamps are built using the tube circuitry.

So, you'll spend a good $2500 just setting your VK-8m up with a leslie. It's expensive, but you'll be getting a setup that will last you a LONG time because your leslie will have all brand new parts.

This link will take you the the tube preamp page https://ssl.perfora.net/s154141166.oneandoneshop.com/sess/utn;jsessionid=15448100beed69e/shopdata/0010_Vintage+Tube+Preamps/0010_Hammond+Clone+Preamps/0070_Clone+Pedal+Preamps/product_overview.shopscript

Hope this helps.

[reggiejanisian]

thanks for the hook up man i owe you one im going to check it out

[RMS2003]

I bought a Speakeasy T-122 tube preamp off Ebay for $300 (saved me about $150) and in the little reference sheet it lists all the models compatible with which preamp.

T-122
30A, 30C, 31A, 31H, 21H, 22H, 22R, 122, 122R, 122V, 122RV, 142, 222, 222RV, 242, and 122A

T-147
31W, 44W, 46W, 25, 45, 47, 47R, 125, 225, 145, 147, 147V, 147RV, 245, 247, 247RV, and 147A

9 Pin
760, 770, 825, 900, 910, and 925

11 Pin
122XB, 130, 315, 330, 412, 615, 715, 716, 722, 723, 740, 750, 771, 815, 820, 822, 840, 860, 912, and 914

So if you're interested in connecting your modern keyboard to a leslie, this is the way to do it. Just look and see which preamp you leslie falls under. I'm currently waiting on the arrival of my Leslie 44W (found it on ebay and bought it for $500). I plan to convert it to a 142 cabinet (122 amp).