Hammond XK1 61-Key Modeling Organ User Reviews at zZounds

"XK-1 For Players" submitted May 11, 2008

By a customer from cox.net

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Musical Background: Active Musician

Music Style: All

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Sound: Ya know I have agonized over this purchase since “clonewheels” came out. I have played almost every keyboard that has been manufactured in the last 40 years. All of them without exception have had a couple of good organ patches that were close but none of them gave you the flexibility or the sound of a “real” Hammond. Well I bit the bullet and bought the XK1 and I must say that I am truly home after an almost 30 year search for a synth. It happened as soon as I turned it on and pushed the first key! This is the “Real-Deal” the original synthesizer. Everything is right where you would expect it to be if you have ever played a console before. The sounds are the “DNA” sound that afflict anyone who has ever heard and experienced the power and emotion of a real Hammond. I can not explain all the other reviews…believe me I read them to. But let me tell you as a player you owe it to yourself to pick-up one of these beauty’s. There’s a lot of talk about the Leslie simulation and programmability but I’m hear to tell you it is fantastic. If the Leslie simulation is still not what you are looking for you can plug the XK1 into a Leslie and it will knock your socks off. As far as programmability is concerned the registration (draw bars) are the same as the B or C the other types of parameter are laid out well and do have some common sense to them. All-In-All I have not been this excited to play since I stopped lugging the C3 around in 1978. Thanks to the Hammond company for giving me back my youth, creativity and inspiration!! Meh Arizona

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"B3 under your arm" submitted January 16, 2007

By a customer from msn.com

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Musical Background: thirty yrs

Music Style: Gospel

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SPOTLIGHT REVIEW

Sound: although nothing beats the real thing it's sound is so close only organ prurist will know the difference Feature: since it's a single manual keyboard the key split is nice and the bass to the lower keys give you that extra thump you need when you don't have the midi foot pedals atached Ease of Use: right out the box it's playable easy manual to follow Quality: the side panels chip very easily so be carful with that but the keys feel great nice and solid and good respose the buttons feel firm when pushed and don't fell like they will break under pressure Value: We always want it cheaper :) but I didn't mind the price because I needed an organ and it's has already paid for itself Manufacturer Support: n/a The Wow Factor: I dream about it and can't wait to get my hands on it and carress those keys Overall: this is my organ from now on. I love the sound and the features it's not the first clone wheel I've owned but I think it's the last I can't see them improving over this one

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"Wish I had this years ago!" submitted October 3, 2009

By a customer from charliemurphy.com

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Musical Background: Part Time Musician

Music Style: Blues

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Sound: Best B3 clone I have heard. Sounds and feels like a B3. I wish I had this years ago when I was dragging around my B3 Feature: They should include the Volume pedal. But for the money, a good deal Ease of Use: Pretty easy to use the standard setting, but it is not very intuitive when changing the parameters. I wish they had added an octive of reverse keys (sharps and flats are white, etc) like a B#, for the presets. I would have gladly paid more for that. Quality: Seems very solid. I have had it for several months with no issues Value: Good Value compared to other B3 clones Manufacturer Support: Have not needed any customer support The Wow Factor: Styled just right for what it is - a vintage clone Overall: So far I could not be happier with my purchase

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"Park the B3, keep the Leslie!" submitted May 18, 2008

By a customer from Sbcglobal.net

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Musical Background: 40 years - Active Musician

Music Style: Blues, Rock

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Sound: Sounds pretty doggone close to the real thing. Own a B3 & a B2 and simply don't want to lug them around anymore. I used this at band practice yesterday and we played and hour and a half over our regular practice time, simply because I was locke in to the great sound coming from the XK-1. THe Leslie sound is not perfect, but for the untrained ear will do just fine. All in all its going to save me a lot of time and consternation and I won't get hurt moving the B and Leslie around anymore. Feature: No accessories, although I plugged in my existing foot pedal and it works great for switching the Leslie effect on and off - also, the Leslie brake or non-brake effect works great regarding the lag in the slowdown of the bottom rotor. Ease of Use: Fairly easy to keep it simple, although it would be better if it just had an attenuator knob just for the reverb, rather than having to go in and set & reset it. Quality: Mechanical seems to work fine, but the case has a thin wood veneer that is easily subject to chipping off. Why they didn't take a little more pride in the cabinet doesn't make much sense as they did such a good job on the rest of the unit. Value: They could charge a bit less, but overall value good. Manufacturer Support: Never had to use it. The Wow Factor: Could have skipped this question Overall: There will probably be no reason to switch. This serves my need perfectly.

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"This is an excellent instrument. To call it a clone-wheel is actually a little degrading. It is just that much better than the r" submitted April 17, 2011

By a customer from verizon.net

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Musical Background: From professional to hobby now. Years of lessons and experience.

Music Style: Prog Rock, Hard Rock, Classic Rock, Classical, Jazz, Blues., Synth Music

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Sound: Excellent B-3 and C-3 emulation. Notes could use more decay or sustain to them. Very staccato at times. I'm Classically and Jazz trained on the piano with excellent chops and even I find the notes decay a bit too quick. Now running through 2(Stereo)BK Butler Blue Tube II Preamps and much better note decay. Preamps create an incredible reproduction of Emerson, Lord, and Rainbow Organ Sounds. Much better sound than the VK-8 I owned. Excellent Leslie Simulation. Interested to hear how it would sound through a BOSS RT-20. Definitely the best clone-wheel I've ever heard or played. Though I've heard that the XK-3c is even better. Hard to believe you could get much netter than the sound that comes from the XK-1. Great, just a great sounding instrument. Feature: No accessories included. I thought a pedal to control the Leslie on/off should have been included. I remember when most keyboards and synths came with a sustain pedal so that was my only disappointment. The display screen is very good. My VK-8 did not have one and was difficult to set up when changing midi or internal sound parameters. I like that you can name patches and that the presets have patch names or drawback settings displayed. Ease of Use: Simple and the manual is fine. Quality: Excellent build quality. An instrument you can feel proud to own. Beautiful. Value: Well worth the money. This board is an ax. It rocks. From classical, & church, to jazz and rock. Great board. Try running through various outboard processors especially tube preamps. Can create monstrous and powerful classic rock organ sounds. You really get your monies worth with this instrument. Excellent price, quality build, great sound. Very realistic. This is a Pro-Level Instrument all the way for a very reasonable price. Manufacturer Support: Haven't had to deal with any issues yet so I can't comment. The Wow Factor: I had to have one. Sold my VK-8 for one. Very satisfied. No regrets. Great sound, beautiful build. Would have liked to have gone for the XK-3C but, the XK-1 is perfect for me. I'm a multi-keyboardist and needed to strike a balance between price and performance. I wouldn't call myself strictly a Hammond player and have been rebuilding my setup so price and performance were important as I recently have purchased several other synths needed to complete my home studio. Best bang for buck. Buy an XK-1. You won't be dissapointed. Overall: I will never replace this instrument. I can't see how anyone could make a clone-wheel much better. Again, I've been told the the XK-3c is even better due to real tube preamp and additional draw-bars but, for most the XK-1 will be with you for life. At least for myself. Only time will tell though.

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"The amazing XK1" submitted September 10, 2009

By a customer from comcast.net

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Musical Background: Active Musician/Hobbyist... 60 years

Music Style: R & B, Rock

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Sound: I'm very pleased with the XK1, as it is everything I hoped it would be. I was not able to find a store in Seattle that had one to try out. The reviews made me a little more confident however and I now have it. I was surprised that you can use a setting to make it "puke" just like a "real" old time B-3... amazing... I use it with a sampled synthesizer, "Technics" which was built by Panasonic as I recall. It has a passable Hammond sound to a non-keyboardist, but not to a Hammond person. The XK1 can duplicate the synthesized Hammond sounds, but the Technics can't make all of the powerful Hammond sounds. I have not acquired a Leslie yet, but the internal one with the keyboard is plenty good. I don't know how anyone could expect the XK1 to be any more true to the B-3, without actually having a B-3. Mike Spengler Seattle Feature: I'm surprised that no mention was made regarding accessories when I made the purchase. I've now just ordered an expression pedal, which is a must, if one is to really make a B-3 sound. Ease of Use: There is definitely a learning curve. The manual is not for dummies like myself. A definite aspect of a Hammand, is that you have to make it do everything you want it to, and not expect it to do anything you don't make it do. Other keyboards can be easier to play, but then again they won't sound like a Hammond either. Quality: I'm assuming the instrument will last longer than me... Value: Well worth the price. Manufacturer Support: No prior experience with this company. They have been excellant to deal with. The Wow Factor: N/A

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"If you want to sound like a Hammond, PLAY A HAMMOND!" submitted December 31, 2010

By a customer from sympatico.ca

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Musical Background: Active musician for 45 yrs.

Music Style: Classic/Prog Rock, R&B

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Sound: The XK-1 is simply the best in sound quality Feature: After 40 years of trying out keyboards that have 500 mediocre sounds in them, it's great to finally play a keyboard that does one thing really well! It is made out of metal & wood...the only plastic used is for the keyboard [beautifully aged-looking ivory colour]. & the control buttons. Ease of Use: The answer to all these questions is YES...except there is a slight learning curve,nothing extreme...There are some laughable translations to English in the manual...no big deal. Quality: Primarily metal & wood....Georgeous Walnut top & endpieces...Two control buttons were non-functional out of the box...the dealer replaced it, & gave me an extra yr. extended warranty on the new one as compensation Value: Best bang for the buck! As they say, if you wanna sound like a Hammond, play a Hammond! Manufacturer Support: See "Quality" The Wow Factor: Simlar to the top slice of a real B3! Very solid looking & feeling to play.

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"If you want that Hammond sound and feel, buy a Hammond!" submitted October 19, 2011

By a customer from hotmail.com

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Musical Background: Active Musician

Music Style: Rock, Blues and Pop Covers

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Sound: I kept getting "close" with patches and some excellent keyboards; but, nothing compares to the real thing. Feature: It's got everything you need for live performances without getting too busy. Ease of Use: This is mostly on me but I wish it came with a video. I'm discovering the in's and outs a little at a time. Anyone with any B3 experience wouldn't have any problems at all. Quality: Too early to tell, but the keys feel great and strong. Value: We always want more for less. Manufacturer Support: No experience with this yet. The Wow Factor: Anyone with an ear and heart for the classic B3 sound will look you up on breaks. Overall: I spent lots of time and money on suitable subs but there's nothing that has the feel of this unit. We'll see if it holds up over time.

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"Great product. Best Hammond clone (it Is a Hammond, after all!)" submitted April 19, 2007

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Sound: Sound is excellent. I have a Hammond M-3 so I have a good standard to compare to. Feature: Features are OK. I wish it had seperate drawbars for the split function. Ease of Use: Easy to play and figure out. The manual is a little hard to read but it is well layed out. Quality: The product looks and works nicely Value: Good value for the money compared with other similar keyboards. Manufacturer Support: I have had two fairly serious problems and I ended up solving them myself. The Wow Factor: It is finished well and is tastefully decorated. The fit and finish give it the class that Hammond is known for. Overall: A LONG TIME

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