Hammond XK3 61-Key Modeling Organ

61 keys. 96 digital tone wheels.

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Hammond XK3C 61-Key Modeling Organ

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    • Only 3 left!
    • 2 people rate: 6 out of 10

The New Hammond XK3C is simply the best Hammond Pro-Series organ ever designed. Deep, rich choral layers are created by the enhanced VASE III sound generator that controls a full compliment of 96 digital tone wheels, each one individually adjustable by two sets of 9 harmonic drawbars, and your favorite settings are easily recalled by 12 reverse color preset keys. The Hammond XK3C puts you in command of a NEW dual tube vacuum tube preamp that powers your solos way out front with more expression than ever before. Learn More...

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Hammond XK3 61-Key Modeling Organ reviews

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97 People rated this product : * * * * * * * * * * 8 out of 10

 

12 People wrote reviews

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* * * * * * * * * * 9 out of 10

Hammond XK3 Organ Customer Review

Feature:
The general setup of this instrument is brilliant in its simplicity and mimicry of the original hammond B. Everything is where it is supposed to be, and the feel is just so natural. If anything, this model has too many features. As a result, the menus are a bit crowded, and there is a lot of different settings to navigate. But for a real 'tweaker', the ability to edit every perameter of each of the 96 digital tonewheels (from key click to motor hum, etc) would definitely be a plus. Also, all of your custom presets and edited tonewheel sounds can be saved directly onto removable digital memory (not included of course!).

Quality:
I have yet to come accross a problem with my hammond xk3. The wood finish is totally retro, and looks even better after it's got some nicks in it. It's reliable, plays right out of the case (even if its cold), and nothing seems cheap or loose or rattly. With the proper road/flight case, I have no reservations about taking it on the road.

Value:
Obviously, the price is higher than the Korg CX3, but in terms of value for money, the Hammond far surpasses any other clonewheel organ out there.

Desirability:
The Hammond XK3 is the sexiest of all clonewheel organs by far. The reverse-color presets really add an edge both visually and functionally, which is something that doesn't even exist on the Roland or the Korg. The colors are totally retro, and the look is genius. It is something that would be functional on stage just as eye candy... it's that good!!

Sound:
The key action of this instrument is noteworthy. The fully-polyphonic waterfall keys really have that authentic feel that nobody has been able to mimic until now. Hammond-Suzuki was bang on the money with the harmonic drawbar sounds. Although I have to say that when played through headphones or a keyboard amp, the balance and range is thrown off, but can be easily corrected with the extremely convenient built-in 'tone' setting that lets the player EQ the instrument right at the console for the desired sound. The key click is WAY better than on the Korg CX3, and really gives the illusion of that authentic 'growl' from the vintage B's.

Ease of Use:
Like I said before, everything is where it should be. Nothing more need be said.

Support:
I have not dealt with Hammond-Suzuki, nor have I needed repairs, upgrades, or service.

Overall:
I will likely be satisfied with this product until I can afford to buy a real vintage B.

Submitted: 3/9/2006

Style of Music: Jazz

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* * * * * * * * * * 9 out of 10

"Short of a B-3, this is it!"

Feature:
Paying extra for the volume (swell) pedal sucks. Positioning of the Leslie switch is fine if you've never played the real thing. If you have, it takes some getting used to. I thought Suzuki's having placed another switch on the optional volume pedal would be an advantage. It's not unless you're a ballet dancer.

Quality:
Seems well built. Very heavy, therefor easy to damage. Keep the box. It's as good or better than most cases. Electronic controls seem hefty enough. Surface is easily marred, but that's the price you pay if you're careless. Not as easy to cover up as the old woodies.

Value:
I love it. Right combination of portability, sound, and price for the main unit, but lower keyboard and all accessories is too expensive for what you get. Hopefully prices on those will be adjusted downward.

Desirability:
Keep in mind you "play" this keyboard. You "ride" a real B-3. It just don't feel the same.

Sound:
Having owned several B-3's over the years I feel qualified rate the XK3 sound. Overall, it's as good as it gets. It's also nice to have reverb, both percussion choices at once, and all the other things that are not available on a "real" Hammond console. There's no way anyone might be disappointed if sound is all you care about.

Ease of Use:
Real Hammond players will find most menu options useless and confusing. Just sit down and play. Use the drawbars, and pre-sets... percussion, etc. You'll feel right at home until you reach for the lower manual. Having it is a must for former Hammond players. Too bad that 2nd manual, little more than a controller keyboard, is so expensive.

Support:
Mine actually died the first day I had it. Not DOA, but all effects, Leslie, volume control and more, died within 12 hours of plugging it in. I tried a re-set with no results. Had to send it back to Hammond at my expense. They claimed diagnostics failed to locate the cause of the problem so they replaced EVERYTHING, one component at a time. It took a month, but I had told them there was no hurry. (I'm retired form playing professionally) There have been no problems since. They were friendly, accessible and seemed to really appreciate my patience since this was one of the first off the line. (I dealt direct with Hammond)

Overall:
This is a keeper. If and when I have the bucks and the space I'll gie in and buy the lower, case, stand and pedals.

Submitted: 4/8/2007

Style of Music: Playing Hammonds for 47 years. Rock

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About This Product!
Description
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From Our Catalog
This new instrument does what has never been done before, offering you the classic "tone-wheel" sound by utilizing 96-digital tone wheels! This new Vase III sound-generator now makes it possible to reproduce all of the characteristics of the vintage Hammond B-3. Additionally, the Hammond XK-3 houses two internal vacuum tubes that will change continuously from pre-amp mode to overdrive mode via control knob.

But wait! The new Hammond XK-3 also includes 12 reverse color key presets, 3 sets of drawbars, a 2-rotor digital Leslie, and a 6-position rotary vibrato-chorus knob, all the features you would expect to find on a Hammond Vintage B-3.

But there's more. The XK-3 will perform like no previous tone-wheel Hammond could ever do -- a library of 132 programmable patches allows you to save and store your own drawbar combinations, MIDI information, whatever you like. And just think, all this in a 43-pound package that won't break your back or your budget.

Features
73 keys (61 + 12 preset keys)

Waterfall keys with velocity

Drawbars: 2 sets of 9 and 1 set of 2 drawbars

Sound Generator: Vase III sound generator creates 96 digital tone wheels. Tone-wheel leakage noise and motor-noise are adjustable wheel by wheel

Presets: original B-3 reverse colour keys, 11 presets x 12 banks + cancel

Polyphony: full polyphony (unlimited)

Leslie R: next generation digital Leslie and scanner vibrato

Pre-amp & Overdrive: real dual tube amp for pre amplification and Leslie overdrive

Reverb: 8 Modes

Tone controls: bass, mid range, treble

Sustain controls: pedal drawbars

Wheel controls: pitch bend, modulation

Leslie controls: slow / fast, on / off, break / thru, effect, send / return

Vibrato / chorus controls: on, V1, V2, V3, C1, C2, C3 with 6-position rotary knob

Percussion controls: second, third, decay fast, soft

Control controls: Manual bass, split

Effect controls: tube amp, reverb on

Demo controls: demo / pedal sustain

Display switch controls: page up / down, parameter, value + / -, rotary encoder, memo / exit, play, rec, bank

Volume control: master volume, tone control, tube overdrive

Display: 20-character, 2-line back-light LCD

Terminal: AC input, line out L / R, Leslie switch, adding lower keyboard and pedal possible via midi compact flash

Power supply: 230V (CE), 240V (BS)

Dimensions: 46.85 in. (W) x 15.75 in. (D) X 4.72 in. (H)

Weight: 43 lbs

Finish: walnut finish

Audio Samples

The classic B3 sound is still spinning away! The Hammond XK3 draw bar organ revives the B3 sound like none before. After all, who knows the B3 like Hammond? This keyboard mirrors the classics with authentic, lifelike organ modeling, responsive draw bars, genuine Hammond waterfall keys, and twin-rotor digital Leslie effect (or use it with a real 11-pin Leslie). The purist will find satisfaction with nuances like generator crosstalk, adjustable Drawbar foldback, and adjustable key click. Two sets of drawbars and additional keys for preset selection--plus advanced 96-tonewheel modeling.

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