Currently own a 147 I bought in 1976 AND A 147 RV I bought in 1973.
The 147, which is a little shorter than the RV, stays with my B-3 at a country club I play several times a month. The RV is taller, because of the reverb amplifier and chamber, was used for years when I played guitar (usually, a 335) and used an outboard drum machine. This required a foot controlled pre-amp. While there were no real tone controls on the pre-amp, it sounds FANTASTIC played this way.Basslines were played with the thumb. this set-up was enough to play dances in the late 70's and early 80's.
I recently got a Friday-Saturday house job, and am thinking of adding the 147 RV and a Hammond Suzuki XB-2 to the bottom and a digital piano of some type on the right hand.
The arranger and the piano would go through the PA and the XB-2 through the 147-RV.
I could also play left-handed bass this way through the Leslie.
For bigger one nighters, I have been using the XB-2 occasionally through a small Polytone Brute and a Motion Sound top box. Don't think Motion Sound makes these anymore, but they're pretty good. Has a moving horn and a bottom roter simulation. Much easier to transport than the 147 RV, but, while it has real doppler on the top, can't come close to the tube sound of any tube Leslie.
For anyone-especially younger players-who have never played through a real Leslie, you'll be amaised at the sound. There's nothing like it!
Russ
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