[HAM] XK-3 Hammond Keyboard

[Harold]

> On 3/3/07, jeboyd2003 at juno.com <jeboyd2003 at juno.com> wrote:
>>
>> Dear Group,
>> Does anybody know how I could find someone in the state of Illinois that
>> would handle the XK-3 Hammond keyboard?

The official Hammond Suzuki web site should get you a list of Hammond 
dealers. They are probably also handled by larger Music stores that sell 
keyboards. If you are near to the Indiana side there is 
www.georgesmithmusic.com that has a Hammond franchise and excellent service 
at Anderson, Indiana.
>>
>> I'm trying to find out the answers to these questions.  I'm wondering,
>> since it has a set of upper and lower draw bars, can the keyboard be
>> "split" so that you can use the draw bars separate?  Playing the upper
>> half of the keyboard one way and the lower half of the keyboard another
>> way, with a different sound.  And, could this "split" be moved to
>> different positions on the keys, other than just in the middle of the
>> keyboard, that is if it can do that?  Also, one more question to someone
>> that might know.  Can you hook this XK-3 keyboard to a regular Leslie?

Yes to all your questions. The XK-3 is very programable and capable of using 
an added set of keys (including a Hammond made complete second manual and 
pedals) and pedal unit, providing sound and drawbars for all. You can also 
bring in midi sounds to the keys, to be played layered or separate from the 
sounds from the XLK-3.
The keybed does not have the nine contact mechanism of the old B3 nor the 10 
contact keybed of the new B3 but has a synthesised "key click" addittion 
plus a lot of guts that provides plenty of attack. There is a useable Leslie 
sim which is bypassed when you connect to the provided 11 pin connector with 
a Leslie. IMO and others the C/V could stand more adjustability. Translation 
in my case is that just like with the vintage units- it is a good thing 
there is an off position. But hey, as I hinted I use very little C or V with 
my '55 C3 with a pair of Leslies.

The XK-3 is an excellent unit!

Harold