There are approximately 253,000,000 possible drawbar combinations on a B3; which 'Hammond sound' did you have in mind? Funny how it seems everyone on the forum claims to be an ex-Hammond player, having lugged a beat-up old B3 and one or two Leslies up an untold number of stairs to the numerous 2nd and 3rd floor gigs (so few bars and clubs are located at street level, it seems). They profess to constantly being on the lookout for the PERFECT 'Hammond' sound (much like the equally elusive perfect piano sound), yet on posted performances, I never hear the B3 sound featured (piano either, actually). The only time you'll hear either is if it's embedded in a factory style or in the MP3 or SMF being played over. So my question is, what's with this obsession with finding the 'perfect' Hammond sound? But, back to the topic question.

Yes, I have a MotionSound Pro 145 and a Leslie 3300. I also have a Nord C1 and a Nord C2D (drawbar version). I also play them with the built-in 'sim' through two EV Sx250 15" powered speakers. For the gigs I play, the EV's work best for me. In a side by side listening test, the Leslie is 1, the EV's 2, and the MS Pro145 3. But, as most of you know, a listening test does not always translate directly to gig conditions, and the versatility of placement along with a great sound, makes the PA speakers the best gig option.

BUT, the Hammond sound (in all of it's forms) is more than just a tone or sound reproduction. It's a way of playing, of using the Expression pedal, knowing when and how to use percussion, chorus, vibrato, etc. Knowing when to scream and when to just slide under that steamy, soulful guitar solo. It's having the bench and lower manual the exact right distance apart. It's the smell of stale beer.

So, is it the Leslie that defines the 'Hammond sound'? Maybe. Dunno. But I'm betting that if I dial up the registration that you like on my C2D and use the built-in rotary sim, you would be unwilling to bet your life (in a blind test) on whether it was a real leslie or not. That being the case, it's safe to say that the audience can't tell the difference either.

chas