http://www.hammondorganco.com/xksysvideo.htm

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N8u2MzraPKs

[This message has been edited by Dnj (edited 11-25-2008).]

I struck a deal with the local Hammond dealer. I put down a deposit and he ordered an XK system. It's in, and I'm going to test it on Friday. I had previously seen Tony demo it at Summer NAMM. If I'm comfortble with it, it will live in my sun room. My B-3 stays at a club and my C-3 is a little rough as a room centerpiece. It's smaller than a B-3 and fits the room better. Plus, for that rare big job, I can use all or part of it out. Did not get a cabinet. Prefer a cherry finished Motion Sound 145. Tested the Leslie against the Motion Sound. Been playing a Motion Sound in the durable "pick-up truck liner" type finish
with a C-1 and like it a lot. Nothing wrong with real tube Leslies. Have had a 145 and a 147 RV for over 30 years. Used both of them with my B-3 for 10 years 6 nights a week at a large hotel here in Lexington.

The XK is great. If I don't decide to keep it, I have agreed to pay shipping here and back to the distributor. I don't think that will happen.

Stay tuned...

Russ "Hammond" Lay

Russ Congrats...

Keep us posted would love to hear your thoughts......I was drooling watching Tony Demo it, he must have had some input in its design also dont you think?

Russ, you gotta stop, man. You can't be helped until you're willing to admit you've got an addition . Kidding, of course. If we hadn't taken such a bath in this recent market downturn, I'd be right there in 'rehab' with you. The XK sytem sound like a winner and I wish I could justify getting one. However, I'm still holding out for a real cherry 'B' for the home and can't afford both. Besides, I'm still in love with the C1 (especially when I pick it up and carry it under one arm). I still love the Traynor K4 but may spring for a MotionSound 'just in case'. I'll probably go for a vintage 122 (or a pair) if I'm able to score a B3.

At the moment, I'm trying to take advantage of a few real estate bargins so I need to keep a hefty cash reserve. Have fun with the new ax. Let me know what you think. Oh, and send me a picture of a set of drawbars.....I'm so lonely (sorry C1).

chas

So sad about the terrorist attact in Mumbai. I was supposed to be on the last HH build there. I'm about to get on the horn with my good friend who led that build. I'm sure he's quite shaken.

Chas, I immediately thought of you when I heard of the attack. How totally unnecessary and sad!

Tell your friend I admire your joint commitment and sincerely hope they can avoid harm on future builds.

After the nice note I got from New Orleans, I have put the much larger donation on the fast track. They'll be getting the first much larger check before the end of January (needs to be dated 2009). It's slated as an annual contribution. After all, the 2009 and beyond donation has the same dollar value as the XK purchase.

To be honest, I'm feeling a little guilty about that, in light of the needs of so many less fortunate folks world-wide.

For a year or so, I've been thinking of selecting several guitars, a bass or two, I B-3, 1 Rhodes, one piano and having a massive fire sale with all the rest, and donating the proceeds. I don't need all the stuff I have, and could raise lots of money for those who need it more.

Sadly, I will never be able to do enough; the need is just overwhelming.


Russ

Uh, let's not get crazy, Russ. I was just kidding you. Sell one of the kids or something, not our 'stuff' .

I love my fellow man but i'm not giving up a single drawbar, especially not a drawbar (or anything attached to it).

Talked to Richard's wife (my HH friend and former neighbor) and he's trying to reach friends in Mumbai. Also the other couple in our former little neighborhood triumvirate, was from Mumbai and travel there frequently. They, of course, have family there. I'm sure they are concerned.

I got an acknowledgement letter from NOLA as well and it sounds like they're doing some good work down there, but why not, with guys like Branford Marsalis and Harry Connick, Jr. pushing it. Have a good one.

chas

Just got back from N.O., went over Monday for the Saints game. Sadly, had no time to go out and enjoy some music, but after that drubbing of the Packers, I couldn't have got more happy even if Wynton and his family played a private gig just for me..!

GO SAINTS! Who dat...?!

I'll gladly meet the pair of you over there any time you can come down... You are doing a wonderful thing for the players and their families over there, and God willing, maybe the new administration can help correct some of the neglect of the last one...

Ain't no city like the Big Easy...

Tested it out, and the new Hammond will be in my den next Wed. Only spent about a 1/2 hour with it, so not really qualified to review it fully, but it's just got that "feel".

More later. Got to go to the first gig of the night.


Russ

The XK-3 and a refinished 145 are now in my den. I worked until 2:00 AM yesterday and then was at the University at 7:00 today, so I just had a minute to turn it on. Pedals don't feel too comfortable, but I rarely even install the pedals on my B-3. The classic Jimmy Smith B-3 style is left-handed bass, but I saw Jimmy and James Moody at the WNOP jazz festival in Cincinnati in the late 80's, and Jimmy could really play tasteful bass, leaving both hands for really tasteful cord inversions.

I'm thinking of moving my old but rarely used Claviniva CPV65 into the room and positioning it for use with right hand.

That will leave a WK-8000 I bought from George last year as my "Office" piano, and an old 1949 M restored for way too much money (think $1300.00 for a $200.00 max instrument)for when I need a "drawbar fix" in the daytime.

For my small office at the University, I have installed my new little NP-30 and a Roland
CM-30, along with a new Cordoba Guitane guitar.

Really like to have instruments at hand during work hours, and like to "switch up" often. I even carry a new Hohner Melodica
in my car so I can pull over and "woodshed"
a tune played on the car radio.

R

Congrats on your new purchase Russ. I have had my XK Pro System / Leslie 3300 for about a year now and love that I can fit the entire organ and Leslie in the back of my SUV. Wait until you get into editing the tone wheel sets; pretty cool.

But speaking of melodicas, did you happen to notice the new Hammond 44 ? Just last month I purchased a Suzuki Pro37 Melodion and it is a lot of fun to play. I use it in my jazz group as well as the dance/party band I am in called The Modulators . The neat thing about the Hammond 44 is that it has 44 keys and an internal microphone.

Dave

------------------
Wm. David McMahan
LearnMyKeyboard
JazzItUp Band

What's the retail on those new melodicas?

Hey, Dave....always admired your playig...few real "B" guys around.

Not familiar with the melodica's you are talking about. Mine is a Hohner. Have an older one I got in the 70's, with smaller keys. One of my kids got this one for my birthday.

I'll check out the ones you mentioned.


Thanks,


Russ

I think the one my son got me was $99.00, plus shipping. Don't know the model-it is in my truck at home, and I'm at the office. Comes with the tube to use it flat on top of another board. I was suprised at the number of models Hohner offers. and I didn't know Hammond even sold them.


R.

Hi Russ,

Yeah, we old time organ players have to stick together.

The Hammond 44 price is $549.00 at Sound Electra . This may seem kind of pricey, but keep in mind this is a pro piece, designed beautifully, includes an internal mic, and comes with three mouthpiece choices and a very snazzy looking padded nylon gig bag.

Like Hohner, Suzuki has been in the harmonica business for years and have offered a variety of what they refer to as a Melodion. The Suzuki Pro37v2 and the Hammond 44 (made by Suzuki) use special phosphorus bronze tapered reeds that produce a very warm sound but also can get bright and brassy with more air pressure. I made a small bracket out of coated aluminum wire that acts as a boom to hold a lapel mic above the keyboard. When I put my left hand through the strap on the back of the instrument, this bracket slips between my palm and the body of the Pro37v2 and then extends up and above the keys. The mic is wireless so I can stroll anywhere I want and let people see just what it is I am playing. It has gone over quite well. In fact, I really haven't had this much fun playing a new instrument in quite a while. Sounds silly maybe, but true.

In fact, I am trying to figure out some way that I can work for or with Hammond to promote these instruments. "Any kind words anyone feels like forwarding on the Hammond would be appreciated" .

Dave

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Wm. David McMahan
LearnMyKeyboard
JazzItUp Band

Dave, Don't know him well, but have visited with Tony Monaco in the Hammond booth at several NAMM's. He was an acquaintence of my friend, Winston Walls-A B-3 Monster who died last year.


I'd be glad to contact him on your behalf.

Let's talk further.

You're an ideal guy to demo for them.


R.

Dave-just ordered the Hammond 44. I'll take it out to jam sessions, and use it as a second instrument on my guitar and vibes gigs. Should be GREAT!


Thanks for the "heads up". Enjoyed hearing from you. You're close to the top of my list of players here.

R.

Dave, how's that pedalboard project coming? I could relate so much to the difficulty of trying to adjust to short pedals. I've just about given up on my PK7a's for that very reason. At $1300.00, I feel like I have to keep trying to make them work but if someone made a reasonable-weight full-lenth pedalboard, I'd buy it in a minute (I know about Hammond's but it's two heavy).

On the Hammond 44, I can't say that I'm thrilled enough about the sound of the instrument to invest in one, but then, I'm not much of a melodian (sp) kind of guy anyway (sorry Russ ).

Anyway, kudos for helping to keep that organ funk alive and well. I'm originally a Philly guy and in that area, for many years, the organ 'combo' (trio/quartet) was the absolute king in the many, many jazz clubs that dotted the area (including Atlantic City and nearby South Jersey). I played them all and often think back wistfully about that time in my life.

chas

Hi Russ,

Congratulations! I wish I could afford one myself. I am sure you will enjoy it.

And thanks for the compliment. I appreciate that.

Best Regards,

Dave

------------------
Wm. David McMahan
LearnMyKeyboard
JazzItUp Band

Hi Chas,

My pedal project is going slow actually. The only thing left to do is install the contact strip and electronics into the box I fabricated to cover the front of the pedals. Not really much work left but other more pressing issues have put it on hold for a while.

I lived in Philadelphia when I worked for Ensoniq and loved going to the Baligo Inn. That is where Joey DeFrancesco's dad played and Joey would pop in from time to time as well. It was a very cool, very small and very smoky club.

As for the Hammond 44, I would bet that most keyboardists that try one will fall in love with it. It is a very expressive instrument and the tone will grow on you. Adding a little reverb, maybe some slight delay and even chorus makes for a beautiful sound. But even on its own played acoustically it is so different than what we are used to with electronic keyboards, it can be very inspiring.

Dave

------------------
Wm. David McMahan
LearnMyKeyboard
JazzItUp Band

[This message has been edited by WDMcM (edited 12-05-2008).]

Yeah, I remember Ensoniq from Paoli??? Although, I think the Mirage might be best forgotten (not it's place in history, just it's sound ). I also know (or knew) 'Papa John' DeFrancesco. In fact, we shared a stage (well, back to back) once at a concert at the Yellow Springs Art Festival. He had another of his sons (on guitar or sax, can't really remember) with him. It was a great gig. The man was a down-in-the-dirt funk organist in the finest Philly tradition (J.O.S, McDuff,McGriff,'Groove',Don Patterson,Johhny 'Hammond' Smith,Shirley Scott,Dee Dee Sharp - what a time to be around Philly).

Get back to work on that Pedalboard, then figure out how to duplicate it in lightweight plastic (send the prototype to Nord, they'll figure out how to lighten it ).

chas

Ensoniq was in Malvern, PA in the Great Valley Corporate Center. Sometime in the early 1990's, during the jazz festival in Philly, I got to attend a concert at the George Washington Hotel that consisted of all (or most of) the great organ players of the time. Some of whom you mentioned and Joey was there as well. It was an unbelievable show.

You would think that somebody would have made a set of full pedals that are easy to carry around. I have suggested a design that would fit into a standard 76 note gig bag to a couple of different companies but neither seemed interested. The fact is there probably aren't enough people who would buy something like that to make it worth investing in.

Dave

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Wm. David McMahan
LearnMyKeyboard
JazzItUp Band

[This message has been edited by WDMcM (edited 12-05-2008).]

Ah, yes. It's coming back to me now. I had a brief brush with an original Mirage which I probably got from Medley Music in Bryn Mawr (I'm sure I sent Gerson's kids through college ).



I'm drooling just thinking about it. That's got to be a great memory. Don't just hold on to it, pass it on to the next generation.



Yeah, pity. Even less likely since, technically, one already exists, although it's really, really, heavy and pretty much dedicated to Hammond products. Oh well.

chas

Chas, you named many of my "Philly" favorites.

R.