Originally Posted By: ianmcnll
key action, again in my opinion, does play a major role in the Hammond sound, and, at least as far as I can tell, is not as crucial for the European organs.

Ian


My thoughts as well, but not just the key action. Maybe because of the nature of the instrument, musicians seem to approach it differently in terms of playing techniques. You rarely hear those percussive 'stutters', glisses and smears, extreme (volume) dynamics, etc. that almost all Hammond players employ, used on the Lowerys, Wersi's, Thomas's, Bohm's, etc. of this world. Even if used, these instruments would respond differently.

But of course, this is all just conversational. We all know there is no 'best' for everybody. As long as the instrument responds to your musical sensitivities and produces a sound that pushes your buttons, then it's done it's job.

I don't think ANY arranger will ever satisfy a dyed-in-the-wool organ aficionado. I also don't think the home/theatre/classical/pipe organ crowd would ever accept anything that didn't have 500 buttons and switches, a pedalboard, and 300 lbs. of furniture-grade wood around it (with matching bench) smile.

chas
_________________________
"Faith means not wanting to know what is true." [Nietzsche]