HAMMOND
B-3 NGR Studio Edition
This
superb organ is our latest NGR instrument, and was made specifically to
satisfy the demanding requirements of the professional recording industry.
It represents the very best that our workshop's expertise and technical
resources can create. Its supreme elegance, combined with an uncompromising
standard of musical excellence probably ranks this organ as one of the
finest in the world, that are for sale. The objectives of NGR work have
been combined with a comprehensive emphasis on electrical safety, all
the work being carried out with the utmost thoroughness and diligence.
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The
incomparable Hammond B-3 NGR; a masterpiece for both the eye and the ear.
The
stunning beauty of this organ is due, in part, to the richness and quality
of the casework and its fittings, since the cabinet is that of a model
B-C from around 1937. It was imported by the Aga-Baltic Company in Stockholm,
and appointed to the hall of ceremonies in the City Hall of Tidaholm.
The turned legs of the B-C have a certain slender elegance in comparison
to the B-3's more stocky legs. The down pipes, connector rod and fittings
are of solid bronze, copper, brass and silver. The swell pedal is a single
slab of solid mahogany. The lock, which has a nickel-silver key, for the
fold-up lid is located to the right, and has a polished brass cylinder.
All visible screw heads and recess washers are embellished with brushed
bronze or polished brass. The effect of these plush fittings against the
deep walnut casework gives the unmistakable impression of ultimate quality,
and forms a suitably splendid exterior for the instrument that lies within.
The electromechanical components were acquired by removing them from an
A-100 which had a disfigured cabinet due to sun-fading. The entire NGR
program was adhered to during the renovation work, in addition to which
the following points were given special attention, for the benefit of
use in recording work.
- Valves.
Every valve has been hand picked and rigorously tested for conformity
to electrical spec, microphony, hum, and noise. The 6X4 rectifier has
been replaced with solid-state components, thereby allowing the inclusion
of an additional L-C hum filter section.
- Leslie
output. A 9-pole amphenol socket is provided to supply the organ's Leslie
with audio signals and rotor speed instructions.
- Leslie
control. Since different organists have different preferences for the
control of Leslie speed, an interchangeable hand control (Leslie original,
half round bakelite) and footswitch control are provided. The hand control
has a centre 'stop' function.
- Line-out.
To enable the use of external effects units, such as digital reverb,
fuzz, chorus etc, a variable 1volt line-out jack is provided. The signal
is then connected to the 122 by the high gain input jack on the power
amp chassis.
- Presets.
The 18 programmable presets are ready prepared from our standard 'studio
line-up', to enable inexperienced players to find exciting combinations
speedily. This saves studio time. All are clearly labelled, as are the
B flat and B presets together with the drawbar groups to which each
is associated.
'Mad
cow disease', 'piano finger blues' and 'setting the spirits free' are
all aspects of high quality Hammond renovation which are discussed under
The Hammond X-Files. The renovation work associated
with these subjects is always completed in full on NGR organs. Additionally,
the amplifier and drawbars system have been completely renovated. The
key combs, which determine the sidewards free-play of the keys, were in
very good condition, and were not replaced. The organ has a matching B-3
bench and a B-3 set of bass pedals (with heel rest) which are, naturally,
completely renovated.
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Breathtaking
though the sound may be from a B-3 NGR, it was felt that its full potential
could not be realized using a standard renovated Leslie 122. Thus, a special
Leslie cabinet was custom made for this particular organ, to match its
aesthetic quality and to realize its phenomenal sound recourses. The dark
walnut cabinet exactly matches the colour of the organ. The following
is a brief description of those features which are over and above what
one would expect of our standard renovated Leslie 122.
- Preamplifier.
The 122 power amplifier has been augmented by a 12AU7 valve preamplifier
and phase splitter, thus enabling other electronic instruments to be
played through the Leslie, such as a synthesizer, Fender Rhodes, guitar
etc. The input is via a jack socket, whose internal switching disconnects
the organ signal. When the Leslie is being used in this way, a foot
switch is connected to the 9-pole amphenol plug to control the rotor
speed.
- Speaker
jack. A facility is provided enabling the connection of a separate amplifier
direct to the speakers, thus bypassing the 122 amplifier completely.
This is most useful if a particular amplifier's tone controls or effects
are sought.
- Power
soak. A switchable power soak is provided, diverting 75% of the amplifier's
power, and leaving 25% for the speakers. This enables the use of full
distortion without the fatiguing effect of high volume on the speakers
and the ears.
- Steppenwolf
switch. This instantly converts the Leslie from double rotors to single
rotor, by re-routing the output of the power amp to the bass speaker
only, using it as a full range speaker. The exaggerated Leslie effect
and sluggish speed-up and slow-down times of the bass rotor is the secret
behind Steppenwolf's 'Born to Be Wild' sound (plus much distortion!)
- Treble
drivers. As the last step of 'setting the spirits free', we put our
powerful and efficient pressure driver into the cabinet. Occasionally
though, an organist recording classical, theatrical or gospel music
may request a more soothing sound. For this reason, a second treble
driver accompanies the Leslie, having characteristics more appropriate
to these musical styles...the original Jensen V-21! This second driver
is ready fitted with its own rotor axle, enabling the change-over to
take only a couple of minutes.
- Indicator
lamps. Three flush-fitting indicator lamps are placed on the front of
the cabinet, showing (1) Power On, (2) Rotors Slow, (3) Rotors Fast.
These provide a clear visual indication to both the organist and the
recording personnel the exact status of the Leslie.
- Electronic
switching. This is absolutely vital when using a Leslie cabinet in a
studio, due to the ever-present risk or interference from the old motor
relay reaching the control room. All our Leslie cabinets have the old
speed control system completely removed, which is replaced by state-of-the-art
control electronics, controlled by low voltage. A stop function is always
provided. See 'Hammond X-files/Leslie cabinets'.
- Mike
point indicators. To reduce set-up time, discrete indicators on the
exterior of the cabinet show ideal microphone locations, where slow
motor hum and rotor turbulence are least. In general, though, distance
miking is recommended since the Leslie creates a more cohesive sound
field some distance away. In this case, hum and turbulence are unnoticeable.
Specially
made Leslie 122, with many extra features to enhance its performance and
usefulness in the studio.
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