if you're into vintage dirt sound then hammond and hx3 .. clean then Suzuki and viscount ... I had a preamp put in by Sebastian and my organ cleaned up like the Suzuki ..but thats what I needed for that church ..... the real gift here in this video is Sebastian .... how do I know ... he play different for every organ ... a lot of guys can't do that .... bless you reverend wheat !!!
Out of All the clones, to my ears the HX3 is the warmest or the most natural in comparison to the B3. You have convinced me in my clone preferences, I’ve never played a viscount but I’ve never really liked the sound of the viscount from just what I’ve been hearing. I’ve personally played a xk5 but it still has that bright electronic tone to me. The HX3 is the best I’ve heard from what you did on this video.
Thank you for demoing the XK-5 against the HX-3. I have always wondered if I did the right thing buying the Mag and now I know I did-may buy another one-Thanks again!
I personally am a Hammond B3 fan. There's something about the warmness in the tube and the tone generated sound coming from the B3 with the Leslie speakers. The one that I was impressed with of the digital organs on the video was the HX3. The tone was very musical. To me, the Nord with the Neo Ventilator Speakers were awesome. Quite sure the Nord will make a comeback.
AMEN. NOTHING TOUCHES A HAMMOND NOR EVER WILL. VISCOUNT LEGEND ORGAN IS LIKE HAVING A CASIO KEYBOARD. YOU CAN MAKE IT SOUND ALMOST GOOD ENOUGH IF YOU KNOW HOW TO PLAY BUT IT'S A PIECE OF CRAP
Before I even watched this I see your face and I see the product and I'd all of a sudden get a sigh of relief of knowing that I'm gonna get some valuable accurate information. Finally someone can answer some of the hundreds of questions always had plundering in my head about these organs and moduyeah these Oregon's images lol😂 thank you so much!
For the records, I have been following you before cats was doin all this video stuff with limited material on playing and tutorials..YOU ARE LEGEND! Salute!!
Thanks Brother Sebastian for this walk-through and brother you sound amazing bro may the most High continue to use you for his glory to bless all of us.
I love the first two organs!! I also love when you were playing the Viscount organ and you were playing in the '30s using it. All organs are great but those three stuck out to me
The wonderful late Joey DeFranchesco helped design the Legend. I have a Legend JDF. The 30s, 50s and 70s were recorded and taken from his own instruments. It's a great instrument. Believe me !
WOW!!!!! My brother, great to see you again. All your product lines sound great, but the one that i love the best is at 14:52. The sound is warm and churchy, The engine sounds like some work has been done to it. I think younger musicians would prefer A screaming hammond Hammond. But for my tastes, This is perfect. Great Demonstration on your product line. We've got to do an interview on your dynamic business for my "Christian Access' Program. Later my dear Brother, All the best!!!!
Sebastian... I remember when we upgraded your DV DUO from the Computer Version to the DSP. We both agreed that the KeyB DSP was missing something, even though it sounded robust. The computer version still had that warmer sound. Then when we moved you into the HX3 you said and I paraphrase, "The HX3 has that sound ." I couldn't agree more with you that the HX3 has the warmth that was missing in the DSP generation of KeyB organs. Also, when the HX3 is connected to a computer and using their software it allows you to adjust so many aspects of the HX3 engine. The FPGA chip allowed Carsten Meyer the ability to do so much more than DSP. IT STILL SOUNDS GREAT and it gets even better! Something I find interesting is there are a fair number of people overseas that have purchased the HX3 and use it with their KeyB. Casten Meyer even made a software Control Set just for that reason. As you know when we installed your HX3 in the DV Duo we didn't have to do too much. It came down to tweaking. Carsten Meyer is amazing, he listens to what people say. I guess the bottom line is, "The secret to the perfect tonewheel sound is the imperfection of the tonewheel organ." The Hammond Suzuki sounds thin and is too bright in the upper drawbars. This has been the issue with their XK products from the start. The KeyB's vibrato/chorus, IMHO, is weak and in some cases too wide. And maybe not enough straight amplitude in mixing. For what it's worth, I think you did a fair comparison presentation.
Mr. Wheat, You are the man!!! Love the chords!!! The B-3 to me has a warm sound, The XK5 sounds great through the Leslie!!! It is indeed brighter, but I did enjoy the Chorus/VIB it is deeper on this XK5 going through the 122. I was amazed of the sound of HX3, WOW!!! IT had more bottom/low than the XK5!!! I like the power of the Viscount, I did not like the Chorus/vibe on the Viscount. BUT WOW!!! when played through a 122, WOW!!!!
Just seen this Video. Amazing ! Thank you for your knowledge and experience. I bought a Viscount Legend JDF (Joey DeFranchesco) with twin Hurricane speaker cabinets. It's been absolutely great. Now obviously the Hammond is the king but the Legend sounds very close and is light to handle and move to gigs. I live in the remote Scottish Highlands so there are no music shops or dealers for hundreds of miles anymore. That's my main reason for keeping things simple ! So far I've had no problems apart from a small problem with my 25 note bass pedals. That turned out to be a minor fault but Viscount sent me a complete new circuit board. Fitted in minutes ! I love it and made the right decision in this locality. If Viscount can make Huge Cathedral Organs they can easily make a Legend ! Beautiful Italian tone but as I said earlier, Hammond will always be King !
Good evening and God Bless! I am David and I have a studio now and I have been trying to chase the B3 sound now you just gave me an idea. Amplifier and Equalize the shape and sound of my organs.... first I wanna say all the organs you demoed here sound beautiful in my honest opinion its not only the sound of the organ but the Leslie is what makes any I mean by any organ can sound good great and awesome but the important lesson i learned everybody has their own opinions about clonewheels. I love all organs on the plant. Even the cheesy Farfisa organs but put any lesslie to an organ Oh My Lanta now with good EQ and Amplification system to sound them thru my Korg D3200 and now I got the sound I'm looking for. Thanks and God Bless brother your Legend 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉 Amen and Amen. BTW your playing had me mesmerized thank u. Sounds number 1❤❤❤❤❤. I use Roland JV1010 with SRJV 08 keyboards of the 60s and 70s with a Hammond XB2 as my controller. I use A 1996 Hammond XMC1 with controller I have a EMU B3 as Well as Korg NS5R and My Hammond X5 with MO6 Yamaha a MX49 yamaha as well as my Neo Ventilator 2 and all my organs sound great thru them. I also to a Tube amplifier simulation pedal. Nice tone
Thanks for this test ! I have a hammond A100 plugged into a 145 at home and a Mag P2 organ (HX3) for gigs, and honestly, the hx3 is the clone that comes closest to that sound we all love. the chorus / vibrato is great and the bass is so good on the HX3 I tested the xk5, but it was in a 3300.... I found the treble too aggressive the leslie 122 seems to sound good too !!!! thanks again
Thank you for this demo. Perhaps maybe you can demonstrate the button features like the transpose and others and how they work on the Viscount. I'm really looking forward to purchasing this organ for myself and needed a more in depth demonstration a this was amazing.
Thanks for this. I have a Hammond SKx, A-3 ( the XK5 with lower manual and pedals in the B-3 style spindle stand), and my '62 A-102 in fruitwood with matching Leslie 142. I have played them side-by-side in pairs, and they all sound great to me. I play my A-102 the most, but the A-3 sounds great, and if I was so inclined I'm confident it could be tweaked to sound even better given all the flexibility and adjustments available. For versatility and tweak-ability, the A-3 can't be beat IMO, but my A-102 gives me an unmatched Hammond experience. My A's stay home, only the SKx goes out to play with me. ;)
@@danp.6082 thanks! The A3 is moveable, but takes two people to carry the dual manual console. That's why I have the SKx. The pedals are bulky and heavy too, but manageable for one person unless many stairs are involved. Cheers!
All Of These Beautiful Instruments Have TONE'S SO RICH That It's PALPABLE. I Could Taste The Richness Of The Tones. The A100 Was About My Lease Favorite. The Hammond B3, & The HX3 & The Viscount Have Rich Creamy Sounds. Hammond Suzuki Beautiful Tone. They Were Like Eating Baked Alaska. C3&2 Beautiful Richness Or Listening 2 Baked Alaska, Mmm-Mmm- Good 👍😊
The Viscount seems very impressive, altho, having owned nearly a dozen different hammonds i my lifetime, you really HAVE to hear it in person to get the real difference in sound
In my opinion, the HX3 sounded the most realistic out of the clone wheels. The overdrive immediately caught my ear. I also loved the 50s sound on the Viscount. I own the viscount legend live and im not a big fan of the default sounds, but i believe that it sounds amazing hooked up to an 122. I love how you can tweak the highs and bass of those clones though and using the viscount editor on my Mac. I personally don't like how the electric organs made by hammond sound. So many baptist churches in my city have those electric Hammond models like the xb-3 (THEYRE TRASH). By the way, the discontinuation of the c2d was a mistake IMO.
im seriously thinking of waiting a little for the new HX3 (3.6? i forgot) with the preamp and all of that. i would love to buy an UHL or mag organ with the latest HX3 engine built in
Great shootout. I would have liked this shootout to have been - B3 with Leslie and all the others have to compete SOLELY on their own - meaning using each clones internal Leslie. Most of us out here are looking for that ONE that sounds the closest to a B3/Leslie without dragging a real Leslie around.
The 3rd organ demo sounded exceptional ,to me the HX3 gave the best sound.. I played for a church about 6 years ago that had viscount and i was never impressed with it , granted i got by with it ,but nerve really liked it..that being said ,the B3 will always be my favorite thou..
I am a die hard old school Hammond head and prefer just them but the Viscount got my attention. I think it's mainly the only one I could really hear the bass pedals from.. Weird for me to say this I would tell somebody to get the Viscount if they couldn't get a Hammond but they have to get that Leslie 122 or another version of it to get all the benefits from it..
Dope video! I liked the HX3 the best if I had to choose from the digital lineup. Authentic sounding bottom and bite on it. I personally own a Hammond Sk2 which sounds good too, but much cheaper than the Nord comparable. They all are fairly close because the differences are pretty subtle to me. I'll be saving this vid for my own practice as well...you were blazing!! 👌🏾🔥🔥🔥😁
I had an SK2 I used with a Ventilator, before I bought a Mag C2 organ (with HX3 & Mini-Vent built inside) OVER 5yrs ago. I still had the SK2 for a few weeks with the Mag organ before I sold the SK2. On first play, the Mag C2 was so different, I wasn't sure about it. The next day, I played the SK2 again - and yuk, it sounded horrible ! From then on, the Mag organ sounded so much better. Just goes to show how first impressions aren't what you expect them to be. Never regretted buying my Mag C2 organ - which has an 11-pin leslie socket too. I've upgraded the firmware to v4.25 (as far as the HX3 engine goes), but now they come with the newer HX3.5 engine which is apparently EVEN better, if that's possible !!! AND, the Mag organs look super cool. Never felt the need to change my Mag C2 organ in the 5.5yrs since (and I've gone through analogue Korg CX3, Hammond XB2, Roland VK7, Hammond A100 (in poor condition), Hammond SK2, before getting my Mag C2.
@@snakehips81 Thanks for the reply. If I had to do it again, I'd probably get a different digital organ with 4 sets of drawbars just for navigation's sake. In any event, I'll be checking out your CZcams channel.
I've said this countless times; the differences in organs are minimal and no different than if he put 4 real hammonds up there rather than one hammond and three clones. Tone from 4 hammonds would all be different as well; some brighter, some mellower, depending on the condition of each. They all sound good and one of the big reasons is because they are all going through a real tube leslie. Also, the B3 he is using has a custom pre-amp, so not a straight AO-28. So differences aren't leslie-related, and the differences, to me, are no different than 4 real hammonds going through that leslie. Now play each one through their own internal leslie sim and the differences will be large. My two cents....
FABULOUS, the HAMMOND B3 still will be the king, unrivaled organ tone wheels. About the NEW B3 it's the best copy in the world of the legendary B3. Lovers of Hammond only play on Hammond by respect to Laurence Hammond, never on copy.
This is easy. The HX3 is the only one getting real close to the B3. It has the bite. The others sounds good but the HX3 has the attack the others don’t. I have the Nord C2 and C2d but I doubt they could match the HX3. The nord had a nice compact formfactor.
Thanks for this great video. Personally I will always prefer a Hammond B-3 with Leslies. The thing I had wish you would add it in your shoot out comparison would be a gospel choir… come on man that’s what this is all about!!
In terms of rank, the order i would go down is the order you players them. 1. Nothing will beat the real thing. 2. The XK5 sounds like an organ on a recording. 3. The HX3 sounded a Lil thin but sits in a mix well. 4. The Legend sounded very old school, although i like the scream of the 30’s. What’s interesting is that all of the digital ones can be tweaked to your liking with their editor software. I would also love a test with all of their internal Leslie’s if possible. With that said, in my use case for live streaming, I would probably get the legend jdf version. The XK5 is too expensive & the Mag organs are not that more cost effective. And if i didn’t like the Legend tonewheels or Leslie after tweaking, I’ll either use the IK Multimedia Leslie app or Hammond B3-X.
The Diversi was very impressive. The XK5… well, I’m biased because that’s what I chose… but putting that aside the XK is very editable, if you don’t mind getting your head wrapped around all the menu diving. They all sounded good through the 122.
Sebastian, I can't remember - but I think the B3 and Leslie have tubes in their preamp and amp stages. These tubes distort all the time and not just when pushed. This is what gives the Hammond it's warm sound character that everyone loves and can hear. The Hx3 amp did a very credible audible simulation of this distortion sound dynamic, and why I thought it was the best clone.
@@wheatworkspro oh ok..I could have sworn I saw tubes in the back of my B-3s back in the day. I definitely also remember them in my 122 Leslie, but I thought also in the organ..thnks
Excellent review of all these organs up against the granddaddy of Hammond organs the B3. As a longtime musician and part time servicer I always listen for that tube leakage sound from the internal amplifier. The electronic sound can't seem to get it exactly right but they're good if you don't have the real one.
Love your videos, love your playing. All the information stated is correct (good to hear someone mention the 1122/1147 kits and warn properly of the differences and usage). Agree that a real leslie should be used for best result.
Sounds fantastic! All of them! Full Bass and nice Highs. Can you tell us how the 122 was recorded or Mic’d I hope to see more of your demonstrations Thanks!! I have had many Hammonds and Leslie’s Everyone of them has there on unique sound. My XK5 for some reason doesn’t sound as nice using the 122 Or 145 so I’m using a 760 and recently purchased Motion Sound Pro145 since has built in Microphones
I have a Hammond A100 in a C3 case with a 222 Leslie. Wouldn’t trade it for the world. It straight up bites and has deep bass. I wish I could replace the C3 at my church with my A100. Nevertheless, each of these on this video I could work with if I had to 👍🏾👍🏾
The original B3 yes, but, but, the second and third ones are more lively in tones, but the last ones sounds too artificial. XK5 yes, not too heavy to carry around on gigs.
You are a great organist and it is extremely appreciated that you took the time to show the different organs next to each other. The question always looms, “Did I make the right buying decision?”. One can’t by all the organs to do a true test. Really, you can’t go to a local music store to try out all the models to compare. This helps 1000%. So thank you. I do have the xk5. I also have a 1968 Hammond B3 and a 1958 Hammond C3. The later 60’s models are generally brighter than the 50’s models. I’m sure Hammond modeled the xk5 from a late 60’s, that’s where the brightness comes from. But you can pull up a 50’s model on the xk5. Out the box the HX3 was on point, but like you said, the xk5, you can dig in. I actually test the organs for Keyboard Exchange in Orlando, Florida which is a Hammond Vintage organ dealer with more b3’s, c3’s, a100’s than anywhere else on the planet. They also have the best Hammond organ technicians in the country. Jim Huss has been mastering the Hammond organ builds for well over 40 years or longer. I just went over about 10 organs from the 50’s and 60’s and each one from use has grown into it’s own special presentation. They have a 1960 model that’s just came in that’s pure fire. With that, I believe the xk5 can more readily cover all the nuances of organ preferences. So, although the HX3 was the best out the box, you can easily set the xk5 to match that vintage. I also as far as am interface to the leslies, please check out Booker Labs. I have a 122, 122A, 147, and a 3300. You can run 1/4 inch and an 11 pin into the box and go out from the same box to the 122, 147 and 3300 11 pin. So you wouldn’t need a separate box for the 122 or the 147. The 1/4 inch input is handy because you can go without having an 11pin cable. They also made me a 6 pin to a 1/4 audio cable so I can go from any organ straight into their box, which allows me to go out to any Leslie. Some organs have a 147 or a 122 preamp control in the organ, which if you brought in a 122, but the organ is set for a 147, you’re out of gas. This cable eliminates that problem. The box from Booker Labs has a 2 channel equalizer and volume control, which allows you to push the organ a little further. Now with that said, an xk5 going into the Booker Labs box to either a 122 or 147 is sickening. For the first time, with the 4 channel EQ on the x5 and the drive, I can push the B3 sound beyond the B3 full stops, then backing off to smoother worship setting and can thicken up the middle. It’s unreal. Going into a hymn, I can brighten the top on the spot on choruses. Working the EQ and the drawbars, really in my opinion gives you a truly better organ. Now, Hammond did a horrible job on its built in Leslie emulation. What a crying shame! Just awful… How can they own the Leslie name and can’t copy their own emulations. The x5 does not and will not sound good without a vintage Leslie. I hope they fix that.
the viscount and the hx3 sound the same as the hammond...i think the hx3 wins...just by a point or two....so hard to tell.....its amazing that u can pick them up and carry them...brett g
I've found the only way I can really hear all the organ dynamics is with wireless bluetooth Status One headphones! Using the vintage B-3 as the standard, the HX-3 came the closest in overall sound to the B-3, particularly being the only clone to duplicate the tube-like distortion of the B-3 tubes. It fell short only in adding an xtra amt. of reverb the B-3 didn't have.
Thanks, but next time please mount the camera above you so we can see what you are playing and buttons / knobs pushed. Your back was covering most of the XK5. I also sometimes couldn't hear you talking when I set the volume for the organs.
I've personally never been a big fan of the Hammond organ and have always preferred the sweeter sound of the Lowrey or Wersi organs. But having said that I don't think I have ever heard a Lowery or Wersi Organ produce (Replicate) the unique sound of the Hammond organ. So for me if I was to go for a Hammond organ it would be the HX3.
The real B3 has the sound and a personality it's own soul. The rest are just to pure sounding they don't have the grit and growl even when they try to emulate it. It's like stealing a great riff from Miles Davis you may have it note for note, but you'll never sound like Miles when you play it.
I agree. I can’t explain it but the first one just sounds the best. I guess it’s like cinema cameras. Nothing can beat an Arri Alexa. It’s just been the go to camera for decades.
No one else has done a real back to back quick comparison of the available clones, so thank you..real good playing.
This proves once again that the Leslie is most of the sound. They all sound good, and nothing else on earth will ever sound like a real Leslie.
All the organs sounds great ..can’t go wrong with the b3 tho ...great content
All sounds great I’m going with the Viscount Legend for access for travel.🎹👍💯
I was just telling Gene people be sleeping on your skills, sounding good bro
if you're into vintage dirt sound then hammond and hx3 .. clean then Suzuki and viscount ... I had a preamp put in by Sebastian and my organ cleaned up like the Suzuki ..but thats what I needed for that church ..... the real gift here in this video is Sebastian .... how do I know ... he play different for every organ ... a lot of guys can't do that .... bless you reverend wheat !!!
Out of All the clones, to my ears the HX3 is the warmest or the most natural in comparison to the B3. You have convinced me in my clone preferences, I’ve never played a viscount but I’ve never really liked the sound of the viscount from just what I’ve been hearing. I’ve personally played a xk5 but it still has that bright electronic tone to me. The HX3 is the best I’ve heard from what you did on this video.
We are selling that HX3 package
@@wheatworkspro is it sold?
@@johnmackey5150 Which one?
@@wheatworkspro hx3
@@johnmackey5150 no
No doubt, B3 and HX3 are both superb sounding instruments.
I love the sound of that classic '58 and you play it just right.
At the end of the day the Leslie is obviously the key element
True! That’s my take away!
I ran my farfisa through a leslie and it sounded great!
Thank you for demoing the XK-5 against the HX-3. I have always wondered if I did the right thing buying the Mag and now I know I did-may buy another one-Thanks again!
Sebastian.. THANK YOU for this!! They ALL sound fab! I own a wonderful '57 B3/122 combo plus a Mojo 61 for gigs.. You are an organ Angel!!
The B3 and HX3's tone resonates with me more. Great comparison!
I personally am a Hammond B3 fan. There's something about the warmness in the tube and the tone generated sound coming from the B3 with the Leslie speakers. The one that I was impressed with of the digital organs on the video was the HX3. The tone was very musical. To me, the Nord with the Neo Ventilator Speakers were awesome. Quite sure the Nord will make a comeback.
AMEN. NOTHING TOUCHES A HAMMOND NOR EVER WILL. VISCOUNT LEGEND ORGAN IS LIKE HAVING A CASIO KEYBOARD. YOU CAN MAKE IT SOUND ALMOST GOOD ENOUGH IF YOU KNOW HOW TO PLAY BUT IT'S A PIECE OF CRAP
HX3 with neo vent or without?
Before I even watched this I see your face and I see the product and I'd all of a sudden get a sigh of relief of knowing that I'm gonna get some valuable accurate information. Finally someone can answer some of the hundreds of questions always had plundering in my head about these organs and moduyeah these Oregon's images lol😂 thank you so much!
Just to listen to all the different modes, ESPECIALLY the OG in comparison , is SO refreshing ❤️🙌🏿🙌🏿🙌🏿🙌🏿!
For the records, I have been following you before cats was doin all this video stuff with limited material on playing and tutorials..YOU ARE LEGEND! Salute!!
Thanks Brother Sebastian for this walk-through and brother you sound amazing bro may the most High continue to use you for his glory to bless all of us.
I love the first two organs!! I also love when you were playing the Viscount organ and you were playing in the '30s using it. All organs are great but those three stuck out to me
The wonderful late Joey DeFranchesco helped design the Legend. I have a Legend JDF. The 30s, 50s and 70s were recorded and taken from his own instruments. It's a great instrument. Believe me !
That B3 sounds is lovely. Love the full bass. 😍
WOW!!!!! My brother, great to see you again. All your product lines sound great, but the one that i love the best is at
14:52. The sound is warm and churchy, The engine sounds like some work has been done to it. I think younger
musicians would prefer A screaming hammond Hammond. But for my tastes, This is perfect. Great Demonstration
on your product line. We've got to do an interview on your dynamic business for my "Christian Access' Program.
Later my dear Brother, All the best!!!!
Sebastian... I remember when we upgraded your DV DUO from the Computer Version to the DSP. We both agreed that the KeyB DSP was missing something, even though it sounded robust. The computer version still had that warmer sound. Then when we moved you into the HX3 you said and I paraphrase, "The HX3 has that sound ." I couldn't agree more with you that the HX3 has the warmth that was missing in the DSP generation of KeyB organs. Also, when the HX3 is connected to a computer and using their software it allows you to adjust so many aspects of the HX3 engine. The FPGA chip allowed Carsten Meyer the ability to do so much more than DSP. IT STILL SOUNDS GREAT and it gets even better! Something I find interesting is there are a fair number of people overseas that have purchased the HX3 and use it with their KeyB. Casten Meyer even made a software Control Set just for that reason. As you know when we installed your HX3 in the DV Duo we didn't have to do too much. It came down to tweaking.
Carsten Meyer is amazing, he listens to what people say. I guess the bottom line is, "The secret to the perfect tonewheel sound is the imperfection of the tonewheel organ."
The Hammond Suzuki sounds thin and is too bright in the upper drawbars. This has been the issue with their XK products from the start.
The KeyB's vibrato/chorus, IMHO, is weak and in some cases too wide. And maybe not enough straight amplitude in mixing.
For what it's worth, I think you did a fair comparison presentation.
Mr. Wheat, You are the man!!! Love the chords!!! The B-3 to me has a warm sound, The XK5 sounds great through the Leslie!!! It is indeed brighter, but I did enjoy the Chorus/VIB it is deeper on this XK5 going through the 122. I was amazed of the sound of HX3, WOW!!! IT had more bottom/low than the XK5!!! I like the power of the Viscount, I did not like the Chorus/vibe on the Viscount. BUT WOW!!! when played through a 122, WOW!!!!
Sebastian, you made all those instruments sound great! God bless you my friend.
Thanks 🙏🏾
Enjoyed this!! Keep em coming Sebastian!
Just seen this Video. Amazing ! Thank you for your knowledge and experience. I bought a Viscount Legend JDF (Joey DeFranchesco) with twin Hurricane speaker cabinets. It's been absolutely great. Now obviously the Hammond is the king but the Legend sounds very close and is light to handle and move to gigs.
I live in the remote Scottish Highlands so there are no music shops or dealers for hundreds of miles anymore. That's my main reason for keeping things simple !
So far I've had no problems apart from a small problem with my 25 note bass pedals. That turned out to be a minor fault but Viscount sent me a complete new circuit board. Fitted in minutes ! I love it and made the right decision in this locality.
If Viscount can make Huge Cathedral Organs they can easily make a Legend ! Beautiful Italian tone but as I said earlier, Hammond will always be King !
HX3 all the way. The Viscount is the least impressive here. Would have been interesting to hear the Mojo as well.
Thank you for this shootout. I love the Hammond couple wit a leslie but it is SO expensive in South Africa to buy one
This made my whole 2022 year!!! Thank you and blessings brother!!
Good evening and God Bless! I am David and I have a studio now and I have been trying to chase the B3 sound now you just gave me an idea. Amplifier and Equalize the shape and sound of my organs.... first I wanna say all the organs you demoed here sound beautiful in my honest opinion its not only the sound of the organ but the Leslie is what makes any I mean by any organ can sound good great and awesome but the important lesson i learned everybody has their own opinions about clonewheels. I love all organs on the plant. Even the cheesy Farfisa organs but put any lesslie to an organ Oh My Lanta now with good EQ and Amplification system to sound them thru my Korg D3200 and now I got the sound I'm looking for. Thanks and God Bless brother your Legend 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉 Amen and Amen. BTW your playing had me mesmerized thank u. Sounds number 1❤❤❤❤❤. I use Roland JV1010 with SRJV 08 keyboards of the 60s and 70s with a Hammond XB2 as my controller. I use A 1996 Hammond XMC1 with controller I have a EMU B3 as Well as Korg NS5R and My Hammond X5 with MO6 Yamaha a MX49 yamaha as well as my Neo Ventilator 2 and all my organs sound great thru them. I also to a Tube amplifier simulation pedal. Nice tone
7 tier Of keyboards. I play bass, rhythm and lead guitars too as well as drums. I play all 4 instruments. including the B3 organ emulations
Also add mild compression after the EQ
Thanks for this test !
I have a hammond A100 plugged into a 145 at home and a Mag P2 organ (HX3) for gigs, and honestly, the hx3 is the clone that comes closest to that sound we all love.
the chorus / vibrato is great and the bass is so good on the HX3
I tested the xk5, but it was in a 3300....
I found the treble too aggressive
the leslie 122 seems to sound good too !!!!
thanks again
I’m going live to make a review on this awesome demonstration of this video
Thank you for doing this sir, very informative! ❤👍
Viscount legend is a beast especially in 30’s mode
Excellent. Thanks for your posting.
Thank you for this demo. Perhaps maybe you can demonstrate the button features like the transpose and others and how they work on the Viscount. I'm really looking forward to purchasing this organ for myself and needed a more in depth demonstration a this was amazing.
I’m a dealer let me know
I will be doing more videos on the organ
No transpose bro. Learn them keys 😎🔥
@@vaughnbrathwaite I tried, now i'm preaching, I dont play as much as I use to anymore, but sometimes that what service is. TGBTG
Thanks for this.
I have a Hammond SKx, A-3 ( the XK5 with lower manual and pedals in the B-3 style spindle stand), and my '62 A-102 in fruitwood with matching Leslie 142. I have played them side-by-side in pairs, and they all sound great to me.
I play my A-102 the most, but the A-3 sounds great, and if I was so inclined I'm confident it could be tweaked to sound even better given all the flexibility and adjustments available.
For versatility and tweak-ability, the A-3 can't be beat IMO, but my A-102 gives me an unmatched Hammond experience.
My A's stay home, only the SKx goes out to play with me. ;)
Wow. Nice collection. Is the new A3 movable for nicer bigger gigs?
@@danp.6082 thanks!
The A3 is moveable, but takes two people to carry the dual manual console. That's why I have the SKx.
The pedals are bulky and heavy too, but manageable for one person unless many stairs are involved.
Cheers!
1958 1959 were the best sounding Hammond organs EVER MADE
Fantastic demo, just amazing! Thanks so much for the video and for posting, love your playing!!!! ❤️❤️❤️
Great comparison video. Thank you. The HX3 engine sounds very close to my RT3 chop (mylar capacitors).
All Of These Beautiful Instruments Have TONE'S SO RICH That It's PALPABLE. I Could Taste The Richness Of The Tones. The A100 Was About My Lease Favorite. The Hammond B3, & The HX3 & The Viscount Have Rich Creamy Sounds. Hammond Suzuki Beautiful Tone. They Were Like Eating Baked Alaska. C3&2 Beautiful Richness Or Listening 2 Baked Alaska, Mmm-Mmm- Good 👍😊
The HX3 was the most enjoyable…in my opinion. Thank you.
Italian origin :)
The Hammond B3 will always remain undisputed champ but that Viscount sounds amazing!!!! 😳😳😳
The Viscount seems very impressive, altho, having owned nearly a dozen different hammonds i my lifetime, you really HAVE to hear it in person to get the real difference in sound
this is a clinic all by itself
All of em sound good.. The Viscount is impressive
I love the HX system but I'm like you I love the B3
I love this video, watched it many times thank you so much for posting Good playing as well.
Awesome video!
DUDE LOVE THE XK5 SOUND
In my opinion, the HX3 sounded the most realistic out of the clone wheels. The overdrive immediately caught my ear. I also loved the 50s sound on the Viscount. I own the viscount legend live and im not a big fan of the default sounds, but i believe that it sounds amazing hooked up to an 122. I love how you can tweak the highs and bass of those clones though and using the viscount editor on my Mac. I personally don't like how the electric organs made by hammond sound. So many baptist churches in my city have those electric Hammond models like the xb-3 (THEYRE TRASH). By the way, the discontinuation of the c2d was a mistake IMO.
im seriously thinking of waiting a little for the new HX3 (3.6? i forgot) with the preamp and all of that. i would love to buy an UHL or mag organ with the latest HX3 engine built in
I agree with you! I was thinking the same thing.
Great shootout. I would have liked this shootout to have been - B3 with Leslie and all the others have to compete SOLELY on their own - meaning using each clones internal Leslie. Most of us out here are looking for that ONE that sounds the closest to a B3/Leslie without dragging a real Leslie around.
Agreed. Using a Leslie with a clone for purposes of judging, is cheating.
But once your decision is made, yes… use a Leslie all you want.
Thats why the Ventillator exists so you don't have to!
Sebastian you're a beast!
All do sound amazing. Can you do a video on which has the best internal Leslie please. And also the best overall pedals Blessings
The 3rd organ demo sounded exceptional ,to me the HX3 gave the best sound..
I played for a church about 6 years ago that had viscount and i was never impressed with it , granted i got by with it ,but nerve really liked it..that being said ,the B3 will always be my favorite thou..
I like the Viscount Legend. Very gutsy sounding.
This is incredible, exactly what I needed to know right now. Thank you 🙏
I am a die hard old school Hammond head and prefer just them but the Viscount got my attention. I think it's mainly the only one I could really hear the bass pedals from.. Weird for me to say this I would tell somebody to get the Viscount if they couldn't get a Hammond but they have to get that Leslie 122 or another version of it to get all the benefits from it..
Bro thats the first time I heard you play.....yooooooo you a beast dude!!!!!!!!
Dope video! I liked the HX3 the best if I had to choose from the digital lineup. Authentic sounding bottom and bite on it. I personally own a Hammond Sk2 which sounds good too, but much cheaper than the Nord comparable. They all are fairly close because the differences are pretty subtle to me. I'll be saving this vid for my own practice as well...you were blazing!! 👌🏾🔥🔥🔥😁
I had an SK2 I used with a Ventilator, before I bought a Mag C2 organ (with HX3 & Mini-Vent built inside) OVER 5yrs ago. I still had the SK2 for a few weeks with the Mag organ before I sold the SK2. On first play, the Mag C2 was so different, I wasn't sure about it. The next day, I played the SK2 again - and yuk, it sounded horrible ! From then on, the Mag organ sounded so much better. Just goes to show how first impressions aren't what you expect them to be. Never regretted buying my Mag C2 organ - which has an 11-pin leslie socket too. I've upgraded the firmware to v4.25 (as far as the HX3 engine goes), but now they come with the newer HX3.5 engine which is apparently EVEN better, if that's possible !!! AND, the Mag organs look super cool. Never felt the need to change my Mag C2 organ in the 5.5yrs since (and I've gone through analogue Korg CX3, Hammond XB2, Roland VK7, Hammond A100 (in poor condition), Hammond SK2, before getting my Mag C2.
@@snakehips81 Thanks for the reply. If I had to do it again, I'd probably get a different digital organ with 4 sets of drawbars just for navigation's sake. In any event, I'll be checking out your CZcams channel.
I've said this countless times; the differences in organs are minimal and no different than if he put 4 real hammonds up there rather than one hammond and three clones. Tone from 4 hammonds would all be different as well; some brighter, some mellower, depending on the condition of each. They all sound good and one of the big reasons is because they are all going through a real tube leslie. Also, the B3 he is using has a custom pre-amp, so not a straight AO-28. So differences aren't leslie-related, and the differences, to me, are no different than 4 real hammonds going through that leslie. Now play each one through their own internal leslie sim and the differences will be large. My two cents....
FABULOUS, the HAMMOND B3 still will be the king, unrivaled organ tone wheels. About the NEW B3 it's the best copy in the world of the legendary B3. Lovers of Hammond only play on Hammond by respect to Laurence Hammond, never on copy.
I like the B3, it sounds good especially with the custom preamp. Pairs great the the Leslie speaker.
Excellent presentation......
Thank you man you took me back to my roots.
Great playing! I can tell you really understand harmony!
This is easy.
The HX3 is the only one getting real close to the B3. It has the bite.
The others sounds good but the HX3 has the attack the others don’t.
I have the Nord C2 and C2d but I doubt they could match the HX3.
The nord had a nice compact formfactor.
Thanks for this great video. Personally I will always prefer a Hammond B-3 with Leslies.
The thing I had wish you would add it in your shoot out comparison would be a gospel choir… come on man that’s what this is all about!!
They all sound great. I like the last one but would be content with anyone.
In terms of rank, the order i would go down is the order you players them. 1. Nothing will beat the real thing. 2. The XK5 sounds like an organ on a recording. 3. The HX3 sounded a Lil thin but sits in a mix well. 4. The Legend sounded very old school, although i like the scream of the 30’s.
What’s interesting is that all of the digital ones can be tweaked to your liking with their editor software. I would also love a test with all of their internal Leslie’s if possible.
With that said, in my use case for live streaming, I would probably get the legend jdf version. The XK5 is too expensive & the Mag organs are not that more cost effective. And if i didn’t like the Legend tonewheels or Leslie after tweaking, I’ll either use the IK Multimedia Leslie app or Hammond B3-X.
Not sure if it was because of mic(phone) placement, but dem pedals on the analog B3 Vintage just does it for me!.... Viscout Legend #2
The Diversi was very impressive. The XK5… well, I’m biased because that’s what I chose… but putting that aside the XK is very editable, if you don’t mind getting your head wrapped around all the menu diving.
They all sounded good through the 122.
Hmm, that Frankenstein Diversi sounds great to my ears.
OK number one and two, one sounds good so far.
Sebastian, I can't remember - but I think the B3 and Leslie have tubes in their preamp and amp stages. These tubes distort all the time and not just when pushed. This is what gives the Hammond it's warm sound character that everyone loves and can hear. The Hx3 amp did a very credible audible simulation of this distortion sound dynamic, and why I thought it was the best clone.
Actually the Organ has a solid-state preamp in it
@@wheatworkspro really? What about the amp in the B3 and in the Leslie - are there tubes in them?
The B3 is solid-state the Leslie is a traditional tube amp 122
@@wheatworkspro oh ok..I could have sworn I saw tubes in the back of my B-3s back in the day. I definitely also remember them in my 122 Leslie, but I thought also in the organ..thnks
@@lbamusic let me give a little clarity my B3 is custom and I put a solid-state preamp in it but stock from the factory yes it comes with tubes
This was a very good comparison to the organ nation 👍🏾
LOVE THE 1ST ORGAN. GREAT SOUND
Just love your playing!
Love it!!! Great demonstration!!!
You should do a video on the Crumar clone wheel organ.
Cool vid! Thanks, brother. 👍 Btw, the B3 crane demolish brought us here ....... 😊
Excellent review of all these organs up against the granddaddy of Hammond organs the B3. As a longtime musician and part time servicer I always listen for that tube leakage sound from the internal amplifier. The electronic sound can't seem to get it exactly right but they're good if you don't have the real one.
You sound fantastic! The HX3 is amazing!
Great video. All sound great. All serve a specific purpose. But for church I would still prefer the B3
I love all these organs. 👍
Love your videos, love your playing. All the information stated is correct (good to hear someone mention the 1122/1147 kits and warn properly of the differences and usage). Agree that a real leslie should be used for best result.
Sounds fantastic! All of them! Full Bass and nice Highs. Can you tell us how the 122 was recorded or Mic’d
I hope to see more of your demonstrations Thanks!!
I have had many Hammonds and Leslie’s
Everyone of them has there on unique sound. My XK5 for some reason doesn’t sound as nice using the 122 Or 145 so I’m using a 760 and recently purchased Motion Sound Pro145 since has built in Microphones
I have a Hammond A100 in a C3 case with a 222 Leslie. Wouldn’t trade it for the world. It straight up bites and has deep bass. I wish I could replace the C3 at my church with my A100. Nevertheless, each of these on this video I could work with if I had to 👍🏾👍🏾
The original B3 yes, but, but, the second and third ones are more lively in tones, but the last ones sounds too artificial. XK5 yes, not too heavy to carry around on gigs.
Cool stuff brother
You are a great organist and it is extremely appreciated that you took the time to show the different organs next to each other. The question always looms, “Did I make the right buying decision?”. One can’t by all the organs to do a true test. Really, you can’t go to a local music store to try out all the models to compare. This helps 1000%. So thank you. I do have the xk5. I also have a 1968 Hammond B3 and a 1958 Hammond C3. The later 60’s models are generally brighter than the 50’s models. I’m sure Hammond modeled the xk5 from a late 60’s, that’s where the brightness comes from. But you can pull up a 50’s model on the xk5. Out the box the HX3 was on point, but like you said, the xk5, you can dig in. I actually test the organs for Keyboard Exchange in Orlando, Florida which is a Hammond Vintage organ dealer with more b3’s, c3’s, a100’s than anywhere else on the planet. They also have the best Hammond organ technicians in the country. Jim Huss has been mastering the Hammond organ builds for well over 40 years or longer. I just went over about 10 organs from the 50’s and 60’s and each one from use has grown into it’s own special presentation. They have a 1960 model that’s just came in that’s pure fire. With that, I believe the xk5 can more readily cover all the nuances of organ preferences. So, although the HX3 was the best out the box, you can easily set the xk5 to match that vintage. I also as far as am interface to the leslies, please check out Booker Labs. I have a 122, 122A, 147, and a 3300. You can run 1/4 inch and an 11 pin into the box and go out from the same box to the 122, 147 and 3300 11 pin. So you wouldn’t need a separate box for the 122 or the 147. The 1/4 inch input is handy because you can go without having an 11pin cable. They also made me a 6 pin to a 1/4 audio cable so I can go from any organ straight into their box, which allows me to go out to any Leslie. Some organs have a 147 or a 122 preamp control in the organ, which if you brought in a 122, but the organ is set for a 147, you’re out of gas. This cable eliminates that problem. The box from Booker Labs has a 2 channel equalizer and volume control, which allows you to push the organ a little further. Now with that said, an xk5 going into the Booker Labs box to either a 122 or 147 is sickening. For the first time, with the 4 channel EQ on the x5 and the drive, I can push the B3 sound beyond the B3 full stops, then backing off to smoother worship setting and can thicken up the middle. It’s unreal. Going into a hymn, I can brighten the top on the spot on choruses. Working the EQ and the drawbars, really in my opinion gives you a truly better organ. Now, Hammond did a horrible job on its built in Leslie emulation. What a crying shame! Just awful… How can they own the Leslie name and can’t copy their own emulations. The x5 does not and will not sound good without a vintage Leslie. I hope they fix that.
the viscount and the hx3 sound the same as the hammond...i think the hx3 wins...just by a point or two....so hard to tell.....its amazing that u can pick them up and carry them...brett g
I've found the only way I can really hear all the organ dynamics is with wireless bluetooth Status One headphones! Using the vintage B-3 as the standard, the HX-3 came the closest in overall sound to the B-3, particularly being the only clone to duplicate the tube-like distortion of the B-3 tubes. It fell short only in adding an xtra amt. of reverb the B-3 didn't have.
Thanks, but next time please mount the camera above you so we can see what you are playing and buttons / knobs pushed. Your back was covering most of the XK5. I also sometimes couldn't hear you talking when I set the volume for the organs.
I've personally never been a big fan of the Hammond organ and have always preferred the sweeter sound of the Lowrey or Wersi organs. But having said that I don't think I have ever heard a Lowery or Wersi Organ produce (Replicate) the unique sound of the Hammond organ. So for me if I was to go for a Hammond organ it would be the HX3.
Both magnificent
Great shoot-out and good playing!
I appreciate you sir!!
As far as the clone wheels are concerned the HX3 & the Viscount 50s then 30s are my favorite clone wheels.
The real B3 has the sound and a personality it's own soul. The rest are just to pure sounding they don't have the grit and growl even when they try to emulate it. It's like stealing a great riff from Miles Davis you may have it note for note, but you'll never sound like Miles when you play it.
I agree. I can’t explain it but the first one just sounds the best. I guess it’s like cinema cameras. Nothing can beat an Arri Alexa. It’s just been the go to camera for decades.