KenElevenShadows Posted January 30, 2010 Share Posted January 30, 2010 Hey, everyone! I'm actually gonna ask a question here. My girlfriend is particularly interested in the early Floyd ('66-'67) Farfisa organ sounds (think "Astronomy Domine" or "See Emily Play"), and wanted to know what you would recommend. Would you recommend the Farfisa Compact or Compact Duo? If it's the Compact Duo, which of the two versions would you recommend? Or is there something else that would nail that sound spot on? How much would we expect to spend for something like this on the used market (unless, of course, you're suggesting something new)? Thank you very much. And by the way, the search function didn't work for me for some reason. Thanks for your opinions!!!!!! Ken Lee Photography - photos and books Eleven Shadows ambient music The Mercury Seven-cool spacey music Linktree to various sites Instagram Nightaxians Video Podcast Eleven Shadows website Ken Lee Photography Pinterest Page Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reidmc Posted January 30, 2010 Share Posted January 30, 2010 "See Emily Play". . .IMHO it was all downhill for Pink Floyd after that track. Yes, I do realize that I am in the minority on this one. "The Doomer allows the player to do things beyond which are possible without the accessory." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mate stubb Posted January 30, 2010 Share Posted January 30, 2010 According to combo-organ.com, it is the second Compact Duo version. http://www.combo-organ.com/Farfisa/Compact/Compact%20Duo%2045a.jpg Moe --- Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KenElevenShadows Posted January 30, 2010 Author Share Posted January 30, 2010 I understand that the Mini-Compacts get more or less the same sound as well, which would be convenient as I don't really need a larger keyboard or even a dual keyboard that the Duo has, although it's not a problem. Thanks for any advice/opinions you may have! http://www.combo-organ.com/Farfisa/Compact/index.htm#Duo Ken Lee Photography - photos and books Eleven Shadows ambient music The Mercury Seven-cool spacey music Linktree to various sites Instagram Nightaxians Video Podcast Eleven Shadows website Ken Lee Photography Pinterest Page Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mate stubb Posted January 30, 2010 Share Posted January 30, 2010 Is this to gig or for studio use? Moe --- Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Zeger Posted January 30, 2010 Share Posted January 30, 2010 Ken, do you realize that you might have the only girlfriend ever who has an interest in vintage Farfisa organs AND early Pink Floyd? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoahZark Posted January 30, 2010 Share Posted January 30, 2010 I know I'm risking the wrath of the purists here, but I think the Farfisa model on my Electro 3 is pretty darn good. If you can't find the real deal, might be worth checking out the NE3. Noah Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KenElevenShadows Posted January 30, 2010 Author Share Posted January 30, 2010 Mate: Studio / home use only. I forgot to mention that, thanks! Mark: Noah: I risk the wrath of purists by even asking whether there's something that does a spot-on Farfisa sound, so it's all good! I would LOVE to have an NE3. It's more about money than anything else. I have an NE2, so if we ended up going that route, I'd probably just sell the NE2, largely due to $cash$ reasons. Any other comments about the Mini-Compacts or other things that do spot-on emulations of Farfisas? Oh, and she's not interested in having a virtual instrument. Has to be a "hardware" keyboard. Ken Lee Photography - photos and books Eleven Shadows ambient music The Mercury Seven-cool spacey music Linktree to various sites Instagram Nightaxians Video Podcast Eleven Shadows website Ken Lee Photography Pinterest Page Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mate stubb Posted January 30, 2010 Share Posted January 30, 2010 The single most defining characteristic of Farfisa organs is the "booster" tabs, which combined with the knee lever give you that iconic "rip your face off" treble boosted sound (love it or hate it). My Nord Stage has a Farfisa model which inexplicably omits this. I've tried to emulate it by turning the wah on and setting it to a fixed treble boost, but it's not really the same. I imagine the NE3 uses the same model. Mini Compacts do have the multi tone booster, so can get mostly the same sounds as bigger ones. Moe --- Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KenElevenShadows Posted January 30, 2010 Author Share Posted January 30, 2010 Thanks. I just saw an eBay listing for one that recently sold for about $400, so the Mini Compact might be the way to go. Thanks for the info! Greatly appreciated!!! Ken Lee Photography - photos and books Eleven Shadows ambient music The Mercury Seven-cool spacey music Linktree to various sites Instagram Nightaxians Video Podcast Eleven Shadows website Ken Lee Photography Pinterest Page Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B3bluesman59 Posted January 30, 2010 Share Posted January 30, 2010 I had a Farfisa Combo Compact back in '65...that would give you the sound you are looking for. I gigged heavily with the Farfisa for about two years...finally sold it and got a Vox Continental. The Vox sounded great but even doing club gigs where it did not get moved a lot it still had breakdown problems. The Farfisa was rode hard and put away wet for two years...and not once did it fail me. I sold the Vox and got a B3 and two Leslies. Of course I never had a problem with that setup. Just fire it up and cruise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yorgatron Posted January 31, 2010 Share Posted January 31, 2010 The single most defining characteristic of Farfisa organs is the "booster" tabs, which combined with the knee lever give you that iconic "rip your face off" treble boosted sound (love it or hate it). treble boost? hmmm... http://imgur.com/lf9gZ.jpg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
retrokeys Posted January 31, 2010 Share Posted January 31, 2010 My first organ around 1965 was Farfisa Mini Compact. Unlike Bluesman, mine was always in the shop so I got to play most of the rest of the Farfisa line as loaners. While one got more keys on the larger models, the Farfisa sound was the same on all. For that "sound" you don't need anything more than a mini. Mine got traded for a Vox which held up up well until the Hammond got into the picture. Once there, I rarely looked back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mate stubb Posted January 31, 2010 Share Posted January 31, 2010 The first piece of gear I ever bought was a red Combo Compact that I paid $250 for used. http://www.hotrodmotm.com/images/gallery/farfisa.jpg Moe --- Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marino Posted January 31, 2010 Share Posted January 31, 2010 I'm not an expert, but the organ on the Pompei movie looks like a Professional Duo to me. Moe, thanks for that priceless picture. The drummer looks so young! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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