What should I buy?

[pianofingers21]

Since I can't afford a C2, B3, or C3. I've decided I'll just get a drawbar keyboard.   The top models I've come across so far with great reviews are the:

Roland VK 8              $1, 595.00

Hammond XK 1/3       $2, 199.00

Korg CX 3                 $1, 799.00

All of these can be fitted with a 'real' leslie 122 and are either plug and play with built in adapters or adapters are available.  SOOO I dont know what to buy really.   Anyone out there own one of these models?

All suggestions are welcome.

[Bigtime]

The Hammond XK is excellent but i believe the CX3 will do the job

[RMS2003]

Since I own a VK-8, I can speak from personal experience. The feel is very organ like, the leslie simulator is outstanding, and just about every parameter can be adjusted. You can check out my videos on YouTube. I'm playing my VK-8. The audio is sent into a Speakeasy Vintage Tube Preamp. The preamp is what powers my Leslie 44W via standard 6-pin connection.

Here is a link to my YouTube vids.
http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=musicmaker85

This might be of interest to you. I bought a Leslie 44W in June and over the summer restored the cabinet to like new condition. Check out the link for more info.
http://www.ryanscomputerhelp.netfirms.com/leslie_44w.htm

You might also like to take a look at my latest project. I'm attempting to construct a Leslie 142/145. There's not a whole lot on this page yet, but I'll be making some additions in the next week.
http://www.ryanscomputerhelp.netfirms.com/leslie_142-145.htm

[reggiejanisian]

hey man you cant forget about the nord that thing sounds real but i think the vk8 or either the korg cx3 will do the job i hear the xk3 dont sound that great

[RMS2003]

I was going to mention the nord too and I forgot. If you're not going for the "vintage" look, the nord is a great unit. They've improved the leslie sim with their latest update so I would not count them out.

Something I'm thinking about doing in the near future is buy a Doepfer waterfall keybed that comes already wired for MIDI, build a vintage style cabinet to fit the keybed, then buy a Voce V5 module. I've heard those are EXCELLENT modules to use with a leslie. And I'd design the cabinet in such a way that later on, I could build another cabinet to fit onto that and have an upper manual. Now that would be sweet!

[docjohn]

I have a cx 3,it is KILLER!a couple things really stand out- you can set a split,and have seperate upper /lower drawbar setting,and still control  your settings like a real B. with a set of midi pedals,and a seperate sound source(pedals),you could almost cover all the parts ! (lot cheaper and lighter!)  HEY rms2003- tell me about that keyset your looking at,I have a VOCE v3 that i might want to hook up.blessings

[RMS2003]

Hey Doc. The waterfall keybed with the midi peice is found on www.analoguehaven.com. It's the TP/80 organ waterfall keybed with the MKE (aka UKE). The URL to the page is http://www.analoguehaven.com/doepfer/mke/ and scroll all the way down to the last keybed that is priced at $275.00. Wood should cost no more than $100. There's a guy you should talk to, he's the one who did this project, so he can fill you in on all the details. I'll give you his email in PM.

[B3hammondboy]

The Hammond XK is excellent but i believe the CX3 will do the job

I agree!

[pianofingers21]

Yes musicmaker85. I"ve watched all your videos on youtube,  (I learn SOOO much from you) and have them favorited. I sent you a msg as pianoplayer21 but you haven't responded haha. Sad.    Yes the sound on your keyboard is killer.  Thats why I believe I'm going with either the Roland or the Hammond keyboards. (Hammond XK1)   The CX3 is so much more expensive! almost by a $1000.

[rpking]

Since I can't afford a C2, B3, or C3. I've decided I'll just get a drawbar keyboard.   The top models I've come across so far with great reviews are the:

Roland VK 8              $1, 595.00

Hammond XK 1/3       $2, 199.00

Korg CX 3                 $1, 799.00

All of these can be fitted with a 'real' leslie 122 and are either plug and play with built in adapters or adapters are available.  SOOO I dont know what to buy really.   Anyone out there own one of these models?

All suggestions are welcome.

If you can afford the keyboards mentioned, then you can afford a real Hammond organ.  You may not be able to get a B2/B3 or a C2/C3 organ with a Leslie speaker for under $2K, but you definitely can get other models under that price.  I got a Hammond D from Ebay this summer for $268, and a Leslie 122RV for $1000 from Bargain Trader.  Hammond models A, A-100 series, BV, BC, C, CV, D, D-100 series, and RT have just about the same functions as the B2/B3 and the C2/C3 for a cheaper price.  I'd highly recommend that you look into getting one instead of one of the keyboards you mentioned, because there's nothing like a real Hammond!

[pianofingers21]

Well I currently do have a 'real' hammond. But its the Hammond 820. And its nothing like a B3. And no.. I haven't been able to find anything under 3-4 k. sooo I believe I'm going with either the Hammond XK drawbar keyboard, or the Roland VK 8...  from everyone I've talked too, the sounds from these are very very VERY close to the 'real' Hammond B3. I don't care so much about the 'feel' i want the sound.

[PalmoreD]

I agree with RPKing.  If portability is not an issue then patience and perserverance will work to get you exactly what you want.  There are many including myself that will argue your 820 is not a real Hammond.  Did you read my reply to why your 820 will not squeal?  It is a completely different architecture than our beloved tonewheel organs. Take your time. I paid $1000 for my C2 and $560 got me two solid state Leslies 740/705.  The newest Hammond keyboard comes closest with a tube preamp to supply real as opposed to authentic overdrive.  It will overdrive when pushed and sweeten up when you back off. 

[pianofingers21]

Arguing that it isn't a 'real' hammond is lame in my opinion. It was made my Hammond, has the Hammond name, Hammond Leslie speaker, its a Hammond.  AND I've already stated its nothing compared to a B3/C3.. tis why I'm looking for something new.  If our church could afford a B3 I'd have one.   I realize I may be waiting a few more years for the 'real' thing haha.. but, I'm still not sure.  I plan to visit a few churches that have the drawbar keyboards and see how I like the feel/sound.  In a church like ours where people are used to the more 'funeral' sounding organs, I'm sure noone would be able to tell its not the B3 but me...so it would suffice.

[rpking]

Ebay just ended an auction this week on a Hammond C2 organ with a Leslie 222 for a total of only $1100, and a Hammond BV for only $99!  You're missing out on some good stuff man.  I would have bought one of these myself if I had the space and the money.  Therefore, you can afford a real Hammond, but it looks like you don't want one.......

[RMS2003]

This is all assuming you have the means to actually pick up the organ.

[pianofingers21]

ACTUALLY. I DO want one.  EBAY 99.9% of the time requires you go PICK UP the organ, which i do not have the means to do so.  However, I'm not worried. God has already supplied 3 different organs I could have if I so choose.  All 3 are from pastors in my area who have b3's/c3's with leslie 122 and they're in GREAT condition.   

I had the opportunity to play one of thse TONIGHT and it was offered to me for $1000.  If my church won't put up the money for it, I'll purchase it myself.    but thanks anyway.

Oh.. and if I hadn't recently received an insurance settlement I wouldn't even be able to afford one for $1000. So God supplies in ways that we could never imagine.


God bless!

[pianofingers21]

Ryan..

What church are you from.. and where are you located? I think we used to talk on MSN.. I remember you now! I think I met you on the MO YOUTH website? Possible??  Let me know man...