The October issue of Keyboard magazine has some info about the new B-3 and porable B, but the real kicker is when you go to the Hammond Organ site and check out their new XE-1 pro-combo keyboard. Is it the arranger I've always wanted. Where is it? Has anyone seen or played it? How much is it? I'm salivating beyond belief. The entire Hammond site is great, but an arranger, WOW! http://hammondorganco.com/product_set4.htm

[This message has been edited by cassp (edited 09-27-2003).]

I'm not from Missouri, but they'll have to Show Me. Nobby's from Missouri, so you'll have to show him too.
(For our non-USA friends, Missouri is known as the "Show Me" state for some reason.)
Hammond to my knowledge hasn't made anything decent in years, but I certainly hope they come back.
DonM

EX1

SPECIFICATIONS

Keyboard 61 keys with Initial touch
Display 240 x 64 dots graphics LCD with LED back light
Drawbars 9-Upper, 9-Lower, 2-Bass
Percussion 2nd, 3rd, Soft, Fast
Sound generator PCM Vase-II ™ & DRB Vase-II ™ Digital Technology
Organ Effects Leslie : 2 Rotor Digital Leslie, On/Off, Slow/Fast
Vibrato/Chorus : V1, V2, V3, C1, C2, C3
Effects Reverb : 8 types Chorus : 8 types
S.E.S. (Sound Expansion System)
Echo for MIC input
Voices 275 PCM voices + 28 user voices , 11 Drum-sets
Equalizer 2 Sections (Rhythm & Voice , Drawbar)
4 elements Parametric (Low, Low-mid, Mid-high, High)
Presets 10 Banks (10 Presets each), 100 Rhythm presets
Music styles 100 x 4 variations, Disk styles
Start/Stop, Intro/Ending, Fill-in 1, Fill-in 2
Autoband 1, Autoband 2, Autobass, Memory
Auto-vari, Touch start, Touch tempo,
Manual Drum
Pro Chord 20
Controls Split,
Transpose,
Pitch bend,
Mod.wheel,
Tempo wheel,
Demo,
Display contrast
Volume Master volume
Disk drive 3,5 inch 2HD
(for SMF-player, Sequencer, Style, Set-up, Upgrade)
External-memory slot Compact Flash Memory Card (8M-128Mbytes )
(for Sequencer, Style, Setup)
Terminals Line out L/R, Line in L/R, Mic In, Mic Out, Headphone
Expression pedal (EXP-100F) with Foot switch,
Foot switch,
Ext. Leslie 11-pin,
Computer interface (PC,MAC,MIDI IN2),
MIDI IN / OUT / THRU
Speakers 2 x Woofer 13cm, 2 x Tweeter 5cm
Amplifier Output 2 x 50W
Accessories Music-rest,
AC-Cord
Options
MIDI Keyboard XLK-1

MIDI Pedalboard XPK-100
Stand STE-1
Foot Switch FS-9H


[This message has been edited by Dnj (edited 09-27-2003).]

[This message has been edited by Dnj (edited 09-27-2003).]

Donny, thanks for the quick post of the XE-1, the stand is optional. Don, I agree about hammond and its recent past. I'm not all that sure about this new board either, except that it has many of the portable XK-2 features plus. Here's hoping too.

[This message has been edited by cassp (edited 09-27-2003).]

Want to place any bets as to the weight?

Scott

http://www.hammond-organ.com/

Looks pretty good, modern, yet traditional Hammond. New technology, memory card, flash ram OS (UNLIKE 2000 and 2100), self-contained, self powered speakers, expandibility. They may have something.
DonM

Ugh....UGH....UGLY.
...and I'm a Hammond fan !

Well, it looks like a Suzuki hold-over design, BUT it seems to have all the right stuff. We need to find one and someone who has played it.

I agree UD.... the ugly-est design I ever saw !!

I'm a Hammond fan too, but this is terrible.... no sound can compensate this bad view

I want one no matter how bad it looks. I've asked my family to buy me a B3 with a 147 leslie for my 50th birthday. Hey, if I can save them a few bucks all the better :-)

Second on my list is a Corvette!!!

Long live Mid-life Crisis!!!! Yea-baby...

Al

where have you been, the XE1 was available over 2 years ago. XE1 was single keyboard to which you could add a second manual. There is now a XE200. Great little compact organ and idea for a gigging organist.

Graham UK

[This message has been edited by Graham UK (edited 09-28-2003).]

Obviously, Graham, that's where it's at - the UK. No one in the States has seen or heard of either til now. What can you tell us - price, feel, sound, etc.

Regarding the Hammond XE's. I have played around with these models a number of times at our twice yearly 7 day keyboard festival in the UK. The XE has style editing possibilities just like a keyboard. 100 registrations and real drawbars. The styles are very usable without being over complicated. Its beutifull in its layout design and as mentioned its nice and compact. Apart from the excellent drawbar flutes the remaining voices are generally up to what we can expect from todays keyboards but its overall sound to me is a little Mellow, however this is not a complaint because it can sound very sweet. I think my only dislike is the green screen which to me is not as clear as it could be in certain lighting conditions. The XE in the UK has got many happy owners.

Graham UK



[This message has been edited by Graham UK (edited 09-28-2003).]

You can see the keyboard at Don Richards keyboard (Hammond dealer) in Cleveland.
Zuki

You can purchase the XE-1 direct from
Hammond-Suzuki for $2,695 plus postage.
Bruce

Thanks Graham for your very helpful info. $2650 seems a little steep, but if it's better than the competition... Maybe Hammond should do a little more promoting Stateside.

Also, the closest dealer to Detroit is HERTER MUSIC, BAY CITY, MI (989)893-4545

To purchase direct from Hammond: 1-888-ORGAN B3 EXT. 20
XE-1 Keyboard (keyboard only) $2695.00
Plus shipping costs to your address - call for shipping quote.
Sales tax for Illinois residents only


[This message has been edited by cassp (edited 09-29-2003).]