Polkahero

Any idea how the acoustic piano sound on this will compare to the CP1?

I do but my only other alternative is the piano sounds in my Alesis QS8 which isn't saying much! I think it's comparable to the Kurzweil PC2 I used to own. It's not fantastic but definitely usable. Definitely a Steinway-sounding sample.

I use an old office chair like RABid uses. It doesn't give me back support while playing but at least offers a backrest between songs.

Got it, thanks!

Hi guys, I just updated my SK1 that still had Release 5 installed to the current Release 7. I'm trying to figure out how to adjust the shallower trigger point for the organ mode. I don't have the instructions that came with Release 6. Shouldn't the adjustment be under Drawbar in the Menu? Thanks!

Using my Alesis QS8 as a controller for the SK1, it only triggers the 61-note range for organ sounds. The extra voices trigger on the full range of my Alesis.

That link isn't working for me. I just went to Hammond's website and don't see any new libaries. "Reed Organ Kaisr" is still the latest library available.

Thanks for those Leslie tips, guys! I'll tweak some parameters and give it a shot. What about tonewheel types? I guess the differences are pretty subtle when in a band situation, just wondering what SK1/SK2 owners on here prefer. I love the simulated pipe organ stops! I just wish there was a way to combine (essentially couple) the upper and lower stops together to come up with different registrations. Any ideas if this is even possible? I have figured out how to use both sets independently by changing the split point to the uppermost C of the keyboard.

I just received my SK1 yesterday and have spent some time with it today. So far I've tweaked the percussion so the drawbars don't drop in volume (like I've modified in both of my real Hammonds) and have assigned the "spring reverb crash" sound to the Lower Octave button (sounds classic!). Does anyone have a favorite tonewheel set that they like, i.e. BType1 vs. BType2 and then Real B-3 vs. Noisy, etc.? Right now I kind of like BType2 with the Noisy subtype, reminds me of the mellower sound of my 1960 A100 with additional crosstalk. Also, are there any specific Leslie modifications you guys have changed to make it even more realistic? So far what I'm hearing through headphones is that the ramp up time could be faster and the ramp down time also faster. I'm not hearing a ton of difference between the Leslie models, guess I'll stick with the default 122 setting for now. Any microphone changes that can make it more realistic? This sure puts the KB3 mode in my Kurzweil PC2R module to shame!

Sorry, but that transcription is a joke. E minor written in E major with accidentals? I won't even comment on the rhythms or notes!

That's a matter of preference of course, but I think Stevie would disagree with you, since that's also how he plays it live. He plays the top part, and has another keyboardist play the bottom part. If you see live videos of him playing it back in the day, before he had a second keyboardist in the band, he had the guitarist cop the bottom part (as close as he could anyway). That's how I handle it in a band with a guitarist; make him learn that part. They can't get the low E-flat of course (unless they tune down), but the line in thirds is easy enough, and basic mute string scratching covers the right-hand chords. When I play it without a guitarist, I've developed a part that's as close as I can get to playing both parts simultaneously. It's not every note, obviously, but it captures the most essential elements of of both parts. Then I also have an even more simplified version of that part that I play with only the left hand, while playing the horn line with the right. That actually turns it into a fun and challenging tune to play instead of just another lame cover. The other thing I'm picky about are the chords in the chorus, which hardly anyone ever plays right: Bb7 B7(b5) Bb7 A7(b5) Ab9sus Bb7(#5) Do you have a transcription available for your simplified part without horns? I couldn't imagine playing this part and covering horn parts as well. Of course, I can't figure out cover bands without keyboardists that even attempt this tune.

That transcription might cover all of the clav parts, but to me it's way too busy and complicated for live performance. Not sure what Hal Leonard has in their book, but I came up with a simpler version that I find works well in a band setting. PM me for a PDF file that I've scanned from MusicTime notation software.

I'm trying to get my band to perform this tune, and I wrote out all the horn charts from the original isolated track recordings. The issue right now I guess is the key (guitarist would rather play it in E but seeing as he is the main vocalist it would be easier to sing in Eb?), plus my bandleader (who is the keyboardist) needs to figure out the clav part I wrote out for him. With his limited practice time, this might take a while to get down. Not to mention out band rarely rehearses because we're so spread out.

A A100 for 50$ in working condition? I'd buy it in a heartbeat. Unfortunately there are no deals like that in my area, there's a M3 for 250$, i thought of buying it but decided not to. What's amazing is it sat for two full days at an estate sale priced at $200. I showed up the second day when everything was half off, and it was still there so I figured by that point nobody wanted it. I offered the estate brokers the $50 after the sale and they accepted. The organ would have probably gone to the dumpster if I hadn't called. Only issues were scratchy drawbars and some missing harmonics here and there which I've since fixed. The finish is living room quality as it sat in the house for nearly 50 years! Lucky you! I can probably find some L-100 or similar for a 100$, but not an A-100 around here. I'm always looking at the local craigslist (have done some selling/buying/trading myself) but wasn't aware of state sales, i mean, of course i knew they existed, but never thought about looking at them as well. Thanks, i'll be searching for estate sales in my area and who knows what i might find. Edit : a question, were you able to try it out and make sure everything was working at the estate sale? This is the website where I found it. Looks like plenty of sales in Florida although most of the older people that owned these that have retired to Florida probably didn't bring along their heavy Hammonds! I did try out the organ at the sale and noticed a few things but knew they would be easily fixable based on my other A100. Oh, did I mention that one is in my possession for nothing?! Now if I could only find Leslies that cheap. . .

A A100 for 50$ in working condition? I'd buy it in a heartbeat. Unfortunately there are no deals like that in my area, there's a M3 for 250$, i thought of buying it but decided not to. What's amazing is it sat for two full days at an estate sale priced at $200. I showed up the second day when everything was half off, and it was still there so I figured by that point nobody wanted it. I offered the estate brokers the $50 after the sale and they accepted. The organ would have probably gone to the dumpster if I hadn't called. Only issues were scratchy drawbars and some missing harmonics here and there which I've since fixed. The finish is living room quality as it sat in the house for nearly 50 years!

Another drawback about spinets is the manuals are offset. If you're going for the real thing, wait for a deal on a console model. I only paid $50 for my A100. Check estate sales and watch CL like a hawk! Should be deals in your area.