Hammond Xk-3 update

[NittyRanks]

I had e-mailed and called Hammond-Suzuki US and the manager called me back, I just got off the phone with the US sales manager about the problem of finding an XK-3 to demo. No one in Upstate NY will carry it, eventhe dealers. She said that she has problems with the chains that stock keyboards. What I found out is that even Sam Ash or GC will NOT stock these but order them special only and it has been a problem back in forth with them. The first run of stock of 80 units is already sold out and the next run is scheduled in July. I guess what I do not understand is that out of all manufactuers (Korg, Roland Yamaha) out there no one seems to want to stock Hammond proline? I do not want to buy one with out trying it.

[Hamnerquartet]

I am thinking of replacing my Korg CX-3 with a new XK-3. Am I crazy or is the new Hammond a better Organ. Have you or anyone played an XK-3 and compared it??

[NittyRanks]

Like I said I cannot locate one to play it. I thought the XK-2 sucked but I am intrigued by the XK-3. Let see if they can get it right!

[yamaha135]

Goto musiciansfriend.com and search for it. I just listened to the demos. They weren't that great. The only one that caught my attention JUST A LITTLE was "Cookin". B3 Crazy and RJ stomp weren't anything impressive.

I think the XK-2 may sound better IMO. Never really played one though... only for a few minutes at a Sam Ash. The XK-2's demos sound MUCH better than the XK-3.

[john1963]

I replaced my Korg CX3 with the XK3. I bought the Korg new last year, and loved it. Like you I didn't want to buy one without trying it, but none of the music stores around me had it in stock, so I took a chance and ordered it. I have absolutely no regrets. I think the XK3 is awesome.

[NittyRanks]

Is it really? I will have to see. I mean I am impressed with the CX-3 despite all the Nord lovers only because of the drawbars on the CX-3. I think that is really important.

[john1963]

The only thing I didn't like about the Korg was the upper octave. The high C seemed to screech. I own a couple of B3's, and when you hit the high C on a B3, or the XK3 it does not screech. From a strictly aesthetic point of view it looks like a B3 keyboard, I am used to the Preset keys. When I first saw it on the net I said to myself, why did they have to come out with this thing? I was happy with the CX3 and I knew I was going to take a loss, selling the Korg (which I did). I had to get one, and it was worth it to me. The XK3 is as close as you can get to a B3 IMO. I play it through a Leslie 122, although it even sounds great through a PA.

[NittyRanks]

Ok thanks. I have a 145 Leslie and have played some A and B consoles a few times so my comparison may not be as accurate as yours but if it sounds that good I would consider it. It does look kind of akward but if I can demo one somewhere I will. Let me know how it goes for you.

Thanks!

[Highwaystar50]

Check out the Clonewheel yahoo group. There are several folks there who have purchased XK-3's and they love them. Some play through real Leslies and some through keyboard amps. Some use Speakeasy preamps and some stick with the tube preamp in the XK-3. I sort of wished I'd waited for the XK-3 instead of buying the XK-2 earlier this year but I can just have both and stack them, midi them together and have a pretty fair rig.
Karl

[NittyRanks]

Yeah thanks I have a membership there I just think it Yahoo groups are a pain to navigate through. This forum is much better.

[tonyshep]

Buy the XK-3!!!!!
I did not like the XK-2, and I thought the Korg and Roland clones were better. But is is the BEST ever -- I love it!!!!!!!!!!!

BTW, I bought mine at 8thstreet.com, for under $2000 with free shipping...

[Daviel]

Just found this forum - howdy! I've had a new xk3 for about 5 days now. Really like it. Besides the sound, the keys are nice. I am running it through a speakeasy preamp and a pro3t - low pro set. Fine sound, believe me. I am really just figuring out where everything is, etc. I bought it on faith, and so far it is working out. More reports to follow.

[NittyRanks]

Cool let us know!

[Daviel]

The xk3 is easier to learn than I thought. Everything is adjustable. I learned a long time ago that I do not need to adjust most things, so that is saving time. I am keeping everything stock right now. I think the leslie simulation is pretty good. I ran it through an amp with a 15" speaker. Still the combination of the speakeasy clone preamp through the motion sound pro3t/low pro amps sounds the best. I played it last night at a band practice backing some vocals and adding fills, one or two solos, mainly modern country/gospel stuff using only a $99 crate 8" speaker practice amp, and the sound was still good. The sound just fills up the room without being obtrusive or shrill, just like a b3 is supposed to be. It sounds almost liquid; kind of creeps up on you. Even with the cheap little amp and nothing else. The band liked it. I haven't used it enough to find what I dislike about it. More reports will follow.

[NittyRanks]

Well just to let you know a local shop got one in and I put money down on it because the guy they got it for was no where to be found. The thing just sounds awesome. I really could not beleive it and I was a die hard CX-3 user for years. Also it blows the Nord out of the water. They had one of those set up as well and I compared both!