http://www.b3hammond.com/sale/sale_detail.asp?ID=22

[This message has been edited by cassp (edited 01-11-2008).]

Wow very pricey. A long time friend of mine a one man band and band leader played regularly played at a nursing home where there was a B3 and PR40 cab. The owner of the home refused to sell it 5 years ago. About 18 months ago my friend was given first offer to buy it. The NH was asking about $600. My friend being the great sales guy he is said, gee I don't know, it's an old piece of equipment. He replied to the NH owner would you take $300. The NH accepted under the stipulation that he take it out of the buidling that afternoon. Fortunately, my friend has a nephew in the furniture business. A truck was promplty dispatched to pick up the B3 and PR40.

[This message has been edited by Stephenm52 (edited 01-11-2008).]

There still is a difference...you "play" a Hammond clone...you "ride" a B3....but, unless you have roadies or a permanent install, the clones are certainly the way to go.

I sometimes fondly remember my old 1957 B-3 with two Leslie 147 RVs...but the thoughts of lugging it around bring me back to reality pretty quickly.

If I was going for the pure "Hammond" sound nowadays...I'd get an XK-1.

Ian

I don't think one of those will ever make it into my house, and if it did it would never leave. I'm certainly not dreaming of this for gigging. I just want one - never had one. I've played a few and been around them all my life, but owning one would be something all together different. This guy's even got a couple OAK rebuilds; they're just beautiful.

As for the XK-1, it is a great little board. Does almost anything you could imagine a one keyboard Hammond could do, and then some.

I store and use a B-3 and 147RV at a country club here in Lexington (about 30 jobs a year-B-3 and drummer).

A broker calls about once a month trying to buy it for $10,000.00. It's not for sale.

The Nord Electro (purchasewd in December) with a Motion Sound top box is pretty good and LIGHT!

Will probably get a Nord C-1 soon.

Will NEVER match the sound of the original. I'm so lucky I have a standing gig, a place to store it (the B) and help moving it from the storage area to the room the event will be in.

What a funky old monster!


Russ

I went to a concert in my home town of Norwich Norfolk England .

Featuring the icon of British jazz and Blues of the 60's "Georgie Fame " and his trio .
He plays a B3 that must be 30+ yrs old and looks it !!!
That man can really play that B3 with the leslie speaker it filled the theatre ....it was music to my ears !!

The sound produced was awesome !!! a wonderful concert !!

Regards ...........Giovanni

I'll never have the dough or the space and talent for a real setup, but Native Instruments B4II softsynth is on my must-buy list. It sounds great by itself and kicks butt through my Lelsie 145. This is the closest to a B3 I'll ever get...
http://www.native-instruments.com/index.php?id=b4ii

Take care,
dan

I tend to view them as works of art at this point and, unless you've got a situation like Russ's, plus access to a good Hammond technician, would not consider purchasing one (or even recommending one to a church). As a piece of furniture, they're beautiful in the right setting, or if you've got a professional-level studio with appropriate space and miking capability, it might be a consideration, depending on the kind of music you're recording. As a gigging instrument for weekend warriors, forget about it. I'm constantly supprised by how often I see them show up on TV in both 'house' and guest bands, although I can't tell for sure if it's an 'original' or one of the new solid state re-creations.

In any case, it certainly seems to stir up fond memories amoung older musicians, at least until we remember that it's probably what's responsible for our current back problems.

chas

I play the B4II with my Receptor. I agree,it's is very good, and I have had B3's and 122's.
Bernie

Chas is right. Roy Carter is the repairman I use, and he get's his price. I recently had him rebuild a $200.00 M and I now have $1100.00 in it...about 5 times what it's worth, and just found a few more problems.

If the B ever has to leave the club, it'll be in the warehouse or sold.

That would be a shame...


R.