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Beginner's portable organ?

J

Jack Pepsi

Dec 9, 2010
28
0
#1
I'm thinking about venturing out into the world of organs:

(See Garth Hudson and Ray Manzarek for typical influences...)

The only issue is, all of the beginner-appropriate instruments I can find are either A) Tiny Casio keyboards that have awful cheap sounds, B) Massive spinet organs that can't really be moved or C) Hyper-pricey combo/portable organs.

Does anybody know of anything that could be used to get a nice varied organ tone, perhaps something that's easily portable - but not insanely expensive. Something that has a high enough fidelity to gig with, but as cheap as possible?

A drawbar vox continental combo style thing would be perfect, are there any budget/copy brands (akin to Squire/Epiphone/Vintage/Cort basses)?

Any ideas?
 
#2
Jack Pepsi said:
I'm thinking about venturing out into the world of organs:

(See Garth Hudson and Ray Manzarek for typical influences...)

The only issue is, all of the beginner-appropriate instruments I can find are either A) Tiny Casio keyboards that have awful cheap sounds, B) Massive spinet organs that can't really be moved or C) Hyper-pricey combo/portable organs.

Does anybody know of anything that could be used to get a nice varied organ tone, perhaps something that's easily portable - but not insanely expensive. Something that has a high enough fidelity to gig with, but as cheap as possible?

A drawbar vox continental combo style thing would be perfect, are there any budget/copy brands (akin to Squire/Epiphone/Vintage/Cort basses)?

Any ideas?
Click to expand...


The only drawbar organs you'll find are made(or were)by Hammond. If you want a real tonewheel organ, the most portable common example is a spinet, or less a less common option is a Hammond chop, which is a(usually) modified version of a B-3, C-3, or one of the many console organs Hammond made. There is a brand new portable tonewheel organ made by Pai.e(I don't know if I spelled that right). If you will sacrifice the real deal, Check out the new B-3 and C-3 organs made by Hammond, though they'll set you back almost 20 grand. They also make cheaper versions, the Xk-3c and the XK-1. Korg also makes a tonewheel organ clone, the BX-3.

Hmm, Methinks we need a vintage organ club. :)
 
#3
I don't think that I'm confident enough to have a go at butchering a Hammond just yet. Plus, many chops involve some fairly dangerous electronics, or at least complicated rearrangements of the internal components.

Are there no cheap combo organs available?

The only ones I tend to see on ebay are Continentals, or similarly priced copies?
 
#5
There are lots of Vox/Farfisa imitators. They are not as common, but you can find them. Check out Combo Heaven for details about specific models. I don't know where you are at, but there is a Vox Jaguar in Nebraska going for $500 on ebay. I'll be in KC for Christmas, so I'm halfway tempted to go to up there and get it myself. There's a Gem Stage currently at $300. Ooh, a Rhodes Bass for $500.

I don't know what you consider too expensive, but if $300 is outside your price range, you're likely to not find anything from the 60's or 70's.

Just put a bid in on a Jaguar that needs some help. Probably will go for more than I'm willing to spend, but wish me luck.
 
#7
What's your budget? I think nowadays, I'd go for a MIDI controller (or two if you want dual manual capability, perhaps with bass pedals) and a suitable netbook/laptop/interface setup or a dedicated hardware VSTi host. This would also give you options for piano/synths/samplers or whatever should you decide to branch out a bit more. You could probably get going with a fairly basic single keyboard setup for under $500.

The best organ VST I've heard yet is this one - does a great Hammond and also Vox/Farfisa type stuff too.

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#8
bassybill said:
What's your budget? I think nowadays, I'd go for a MIDI controller (or two if you want dual manual capability, perhaps with bass pedals) and a suitable netbook/laptop/interface setup or a dedicated hardware VSTi host. This would also give you options for piano/synths/samplers or whatever should you decide to branch out a bit more. You could probably get going with a fairly basic single keyboard setup for under $500.

The best organ VST I've heard yet is this one - does a great Hammond and also Vox/Farfisa type stuff too.

Invalid Link Removed
Click to expand...

I have the freeware version of that. I agree.
 
#9
A few years ago I had a hankering for an organ and bought a "chord organ" on ebay. It was made in the 50s before electronics, it operates on forced air through reeds. Pretty wierd/funky but I mess with it about twice a year and have fun. Not what you're looking for, but something to consider......:bassist:
 
#10
I'm not particularly bothered about the number of manuals. The thing is, I'm only a beginner - so I'm not looking for anything that is too much of a financial commitment in case I decide that I dont like it. Besides which, I have next to no money to spend on chopping, or on Nord C2s.

One option that I find quite appealing is to pick up a used (preferably weighted) electric piano, something along the lines of a Yamaha Clavinova, and using the MIDI compatavility to drive an organ patch.

That way - I could use it to learn a bit of piano too, they're a bit nicer to look at - plus; most Clavinovas are extremely portable. Sounds like a winner?
 
#11
I don't know how things are in your neck of the woods, but here in Montreal combo organs are popping up every couple of weeks on Craigslist for very fair prices, so if I was you I'd definitely add the musicals instruments page to your favourites and check it regularly(if it's not already the case).
 
#12
I'm from the U.K, which seems to make finding Craigslist bargains a bit more tricky (The catchment areas are smaller, and tend to be regional).

The second hand online market is funny over here, ebay.co.uk tends to have larger concentrations of certain types of item, but not as much of the variety that ebay.com does.

I like the idea of taking a digital piano and using it as a midi controller. Has anyone had any experience doing this? Many digital pianos have weighted keys, which could potentially give the instrument a bit more longevity if I keep it up. Some of them are pretty good value for money too.
 
#14
I use my Nord Electro 2 (which is an hammond organ/wurlitzer/rhodes/piano/clavinet emulator) to control my VSTs at home, so I guess it's sort of like a digital piano and it works like a charm. Pretty much any keyboard after 1983 will have midi in and out ports, so if all you want to do is send midi commands to control the notes on your VSTs, you can use pretty much anything. Just get yourself a decent laptop and you're set :)

Speaking of the Nord Electro 2, it could be the answer to your needs depending on what your budget is. The organ section is killer and so is the wurlitzer. The rest of the sounds are good, except for the piano which is decent at best. Used the 61 key version goes for around 900$ Canadian but they're made in Sweden so the price could be less in Europe. Check it out here: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
 
#15
A Hammond L100 chop would be cheap and portable. The mid 70s tranny Hammonds are cheap but also heavy (and a bit weak tonewise).

I think what you want does not exist. Nord makes good combo organ sims but they too are expensive (and red).
 
#16
Meddle said:
A Hammond L100 chop would be cheap and portable. The mid 70s tranny Hammonds are cheap but also heavy (and a bit weak tonewise).

I think what you want does not exist. Nord makes good combo organ sims but they too are expensive (and red).
Click to expand...

The M-100s and L-100s are the easiest to find. Also, just, STAY AWAY from oscillator based Hammonds. IMO, they sound NOTHING like tonewheel organs. I do have a soft spot for the Vox Continental, though. :)
 
#17
Jack, should you decide to go the combo organ route as in Ray Manzarek, you can't go wrong with a Vox Continental. I've got the entire Manzarek set up, Vox Continental and Gibson organs both with Fender Rhodes piano basses and you will really enjoy the Vox.
 

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