Hammond B3 organ vs Hammond Suzuki XK3 

It's interesting how Hammond originally considered the "key click" in their early organs to be a design defect and worked to eliminate it, but it ended up being a well-loved feature by many musicians to the point it's now an iconic sound in many jazz and rock songs. Now, ironically, many digital synthesizer manufacturers still haven't emulated the key click very well.

Wow! I am not a musician, but just a fan of the lovely sound of tonewheel organs. I had no idea than modern digital instruments could reproduce the sound of a B3 so accurately. Since it has been a long time now since tonewheel organs were last manufactured, I am glad that new technology will keep that classic sound alive for a long time into the future.

I'm a guitar/bass player, but there's just something I find pretty dang cool about the sound of a well-played Hammond... :)

I've added 400lbs of cast iron weights to my XK3 to make it that much more like the "real thing,"

I watched this video several times. You are a great player. I own a 1957 C3 and XK3c. As I commented a few weeks ago, the chorus on the XK is not there, period. But it is clear from this vided (which is great) that the B3 is responding to your hand - what and how you play. You will play it 10 times, and it will sound different every time. The XK is synthetic and doesn't respond to your feel, this is the soul that so many people say the XK lacks.

They both sound great. This is the first time I have ever heard such an accurate comparison, and it has given me a new appreciation of the clone. I really appreciate you taking the time to make and post this video. Great job! I am going to check out some of your videos. I have a very old Hammond CV which I love, but I am thinking about something more portable as well.

By the way, of all the videos on RU-vid regarding Hammond organs, the Ventilator, XK3, etc, I think your videos are by far the best. Keep up the great work!

Really professional way of comparing two machines. Fantastic!

Jim, you are an amazing player I really appreciate what you're doing! Even though I'm a guitarist the sound of the B3 gives me chills every time I hear it. Thank you!

Very nice presentation.... Thank you James...

This is an excellent video. About to pickup one an xk3 and I'm very excited about it. You're a great organist and an excellent demonstration speaker. Thank you for sharing this video!

Absolutely stunning playing as always, and great comparisons there :) I play an XK-3C through a vintage 145 and sounds great.

Excellent video, thank you! Fantastic job of demonstrating the two units. Also a marvelous demonstration of the musical concept of tension and release. The tension of one hand holding the mike (mic, whatever, I'm old) while the other plays teaser riffs--super-tasty each one, but each one promising so much more. And when the mike goes down and both hands go to work, the promise is delivered. Sweet release, and over all too soon. Must watch your other vids in search of more!

your voice mike is real good. It gave me a shock having you right here in my living room.

All of this that I know about Hammond Organs and I have never owned one (yet that is)! I have played one at least once that I can remember! In January of 2011 Discount Dave's had one in his furniture store in which I had came into looking for an affordable armoire or wardrobe for my new room that we had added on to our house, however, I didn't find any of these! (All of these were too expensive for my tastes)! Then I saw this, I believe it was a L100 or M 100 spinet organ for $175, and said to my dad "look at this, someone's old ballpark organ" and he said that "it probably was"! So, I sat down and turned it on and voila, it was plugged in and did indeed still play music! However, this more than likely wasn't a tone wheel organ, because it didn't have separate start and run switches, it probably was one of their later transistor organs with a built in amplifier, speakers and Leslie! I kind of regret not buying it, but after all, it was not even a console model, and as I remember it didn't have those preset keys that we talked about, however it did have some (not all) drawbars! Also, even after they switched manufacturing from tone wheel to transistor organs, they still were quite heavy and not very mobile! Whereas, my Yamaha Digital Keyboard(s)! (I have had a YPT 200 since 2005, and a YPT 330 since 2013), each weigh less than 15 lbs.)! The Hammond Organs commonly weighed 300 lbs. or more, such as being built out of wood cabinets, steel chassis, glass tubes, and all of the other solid goodies that we used to make in the U.S.A., and in fact, most ballparks used them (arenas usually had pipe, electronic, church or theater organs built into them)! Oh, and back to what I know about the reverse color preset keys, I always realized that they were not for musical notation on Hammond, but on Vox Continental, Farfisa, and other combo organs, they could be used to play walking bass lines, etc. In fact, real old keyboard instruments were made with black or dark naturals, and white or light colored sharps and flats, some still are, such as the Rodgers Trillium, and some Johannus models, but that was something that was brought back from 300 years ago and further back in Europe, and is the exception, not the norm! Awesome for someone who doesn't really play organs, but really should consider learning real soon!

You’ve done an amazing job adjusting those parameters to tweak the XK. I’m late to the party, but thanks for sharing.

nice comparison sir Jim. very helpful

You are right, of course. Thank you for the clarification.

I did not read all replies, as this is an old video. For what it's worth, instead of using the roll off filter to adjust the factory key click, in the menu, one can adjust the keyclick volume parameter, If I recall correctly , 0 to 10. That annoyed me when I bought my XK-3 14 years ago. First thing I did was dial that back. as always, YMMV. Thanx for the great video!

Excellent, EXCELLENT comparison video.

Great video, Jim! Thanks for taking the time to share this demonstration. Only a pipe dream I could play well enough to be cool, but I really enjoy listening to you wail. I'm thinking about purchasing one of these to play around on, but cash is a little tight now (just purchased a Yamaha MOX6 last year, which has been fun

Just wanted to say thanks for posting such a helpful and well-played video. Also, I downloaded a your tonewheel set: it sounds great. Thanks again.

Nice chops brother, I worked in the organ biz for many years and had a similar A-B setup to demo the Suzuki clones against the original Hammonds... Dr. Lonnie Smith used to stop by and jam on my gear often making a mini concert out of his visits, anyway...very nice playing.

Thanks for the great tutorial Jim

I bought a XK3 thanks for this wonderful video :)

Jim; Thanks for the down to earth A/B comparison. Great playing, and you are a 1st rate teacher. Bill Levinson

Nothing like the sound of a B3!

Ooh - the differences really stand out when you enable Chorus. Far brighter on the XK3... But, all things considered, I’m quite impressed with the sound you’re getting out of that XK3! I would be totally happy owning one of those. Very “crunchy” Hammond sound! Really like it!!

That was a GREAT demo!

Very nice - thanks for posting this

I'm not an organist, but it was a pleasure just listening to and watching your licks!

I got your 1958 B3 Tonewheel set in my Xk3. Amazing Thank you

great, meaningful comparison

Thank you Jim for a very informative and worthwhile comparison, very hard to find such a useful video on this interweb malarkey! : ) Thank you, and lovely playing too. I may just have bought one of these babies and if it all comes off I would be very interested in getting the settings that you no doubt spent a lot of time and hard work setting up.

great video Jim.

Great demo ! Thank you for sharing.

@Carmel2505 Just saw your comment, sorry. The growl is due to the XK3 slightly overdriving the Leslie input. The XK3 has a very hot output. In order to get both the XK3 and the B3 through the Leslie at the same time, I had a direct line from the B3 running into the "return" jack of the XK3, so both the B3 and the XK3 are going into the Leslie with a hot signal.

That's the way to do it the real thing against the virtual one. Excellent video, i will use it to compare on my side with the vst that i have. Thanks

Used to carry around a B3 playing in the rock clubs in Detroit. Watching this made me wish I was still in the biz. Save my back and pack it in a car!

subscribed...thanks Jim...I have a '64 B-3 with a Leslie 251. Though I am mainly a guitar player I love old tonewheel Hammonds and Leslies. Digital technology is getting better but I still prefer the original.

That's wonderful ⚘

Very helpful comparison. Thank you. JB

@romill1 You're welcome! If you decide to go with the Hammond, get the newer XK3c. The onboard Leslie sim is much improved and sounds really good. You can use it without a real Leslie and it still sounds great, something that you cannot do with the original XK3, unfortunately. It either needs a real Leslie or a Leslie simulator like the Neo Instruments Ventilator.

I got you 1958 B3 Tonewheel set in my Xk3. Amazing Thank you

@ForestCinema No, you would need a device that converts the 11pin output of the XK3 to a 122-style 6pin output. I use the 1122 kit from Hammond Suzuki.

Thank you! I really appreciate that.

Very good comparison! I used to own a M3 many years ago, but now have a xk3c in the studio and gig with a SKx - the audience would hear a difference anyway and I can carry the SKx with one hand 😉

The video I posted that currently has the most hits? This oldie but goodie! Thankfully I've lost quite a few pounds since then! I need to do a new vid comparing the SK2 to a B3.

Very Cool. Thanks for making the video.

I produced a record with a band that purchased a perfect B3 just for the session and left it in my studio for awhile. A guest player brought in an XK3 and we spent an afternoon comparing. The XK was very impressive in that context but it was literally impossible to not be affected by the physical presence of that beautiful B3. It’s possible to get oh so close with a bit of work in the control room but it was sure nice to have the real thing.

Yes. Global tuning options are available and easy to change.

The 1122 works great with the XK3c. I would definitely recommend the XK3c over the older XK3. $2695 isn't bad. Look into the SK2 as well. I just got one a few weeks ago. I love it.

Let's be honest, the HUGE difference in weight vs the small difference in sound (to majority of the audience it's negligible) makes the XK3 the winner here.

K thanks i will be watching and waiting.

Well done!

nice sounds. boths .hey question the Hammond b 200 .on this new line of Hammond zusuki .how they named now like what line is on this time.o the sound of the b 200 was discountined.thank hope you can help me

Great explanation and very good organ player.

My mom played b-3s as a church organist, choir director for 3 chapela on Travis AFB....i was tge "Ride Along" it was those big 15" speeakers cranking out that bass in the bottoms of those Leslies tgat made me take up bSs.... snd a total ogans sound afficianado!,!! FatSpresets , and love the key clicl!!!.... fave B3 dound: when the Leslie is sloeing from Vibrato dpwn to Chorus....even better as the brake bands are wearing out on the rotor....and it takes a minutr to change dpeed! I have no idea why Leslie didnt include that sw/ctl....its such a cool sound :)

Fantastic Hammond !!!

great video i love my xk3 even better now

Your runs are nice

Hello Jim: Great You Tube video!!. Checked out your other videos and really enjoyed your playing! Nice to hear a "young guy" play they way the hammond organ was make to be played in a group setting.

It's a compromise for sure, but the clones keep getting better and better. I'll be uploading a new comparison of a real tonewheel Hammond versus the SK2. I've got them sounding even closer than before.

Jim, great job. Very good and objective. Love it man. Thanx a buch...

Will do..Thanks bro...Keep Rockin!

Nice comparing, love your video

Great comparison vid! I'm gonna buy an XK3 (or XM2) & Ventilator ASAP: Sounds close enough (identical at times), plus the interface will make me far more at home than my current E-mu Difinitive B3 road rig.

Hello Jim, On the strength of your very interesting above, I bought myself a s/hand XK3c. I no longer play in bands and had to sell my C3 a few years ago as we needed the space. I would be interested in receiving your notes on re-tuning as mentioned. How do I contact you? Many thanks.

@TheMadMusicMan Chorus and vibrato sound good if you tweak them. When I first connected the XK3 to my 122 the chorus didn't sound right. I played with the speed settings until I found one that sounded best. When I started using the 3300 with the XK3, I had to adjust the chorus again.

Yes, they are cheap due to the lack of an upper rotor. I would look for a 145 or a 122. Thanks for the kind words.

@togglescratch They are in a X/Y configuration.

@TheJimkaylor Thank you!

Fantastic overview. Suzuki really did their homework.

really good playing !

I heard Organissimo on WWOZ, bought the album, it’s on my need cheering up playlist. Nothing like a Hammond organ, it’s America’s sound.

Thanks Jim for this very usefull and good review. It helped me a lot in making the correct choice, being a rather purist for the B3. And yeah, the Xk3c sounds just like the B3, especially if hooked up to a real leslie. In my case a HL822: it works perfectly together. But even without a real leslie, it remains good and convincing. Yeah, I like it. Rudy

With the HX3 hammond clone we have tried an optical keyboard scan which recognizes how deep you press the key. With this solution it was possible to replicate the 9 contacts. Sound and feel were great but it had lots of issues... For example, the organ started playing when exposed to sunlight due to the optical sensors being too sensitive... A no-go for a touring musician. So I went back to the normal Fatar key scan. But maybe with a little more development, the optical scan could work.

I love the sound of the Hammond Organ whether it be Hammond, Korg, Nord, Roland or any of the higher end clones. I own a Roland VR-09 and I love it.

@addylewis The latest organissimo, Alive & Kickin', is my favorite. Lots of funky goodness on there. It's on Amazon, CDBaby, iTunes, etc.

jim,tu es un grand ,très grand organiste !phénoménal!!!!!

To whomever wanted to know about my opinion concerning the digital Leslie vs real Leslie in a recording situation... I apologize. I accidentally removed your comment when I meant to hit reply. Anyway, a real Leslie trumps a digital simulation in any circumstance I can think of, including recording. Of course if you don't have a real Leslie, use what you have and do your best! :)

@dragongoff I've never noticed any tuning problems with the XK and I tune pianos professionally. Concerning triggering, it might be because the XK3 is on top of the B3 and that makes for a rather uncomfortable reach. That said, the XK3 is certainly different than a real B3 in terms of triggering. It is much faster. That takes some time to get used to.

Great demo! Really appreciate your efforts into making a proper testing environment. As I see it the biggest drawback was that the chorus clearly did not sound as good as the B3, but aside from that the differences were incredibly small.

Jim, thank you for taking the time and effort to do the XK3/B3 comparison. I have a C3 that unfortunately was dropped a little over 4 years ago and I haven't started it ever since. I did buy the Hammond XM-2 with the XMC-2 controller a couple years back. I was wondering if some of your patches with the edits you made to your XK-3 would be compatible with the XM-2 and if so if you would be willing to share. I haven't been quite happy with the XM-2 as it is out of the box. Thank you so much.

I would love to see if the XK3 is still working in 59 years time time. I guarantee the B3 will be.

Played one in Italy on a few gigs. Nice rig.

Jim, thanks for that educational (and fun!) video! One very basic technical aspect that I wonder about is if the two keyboards' outputs to the Leslie were precisely gain matched. A small difference in gain can really impact the listener's notion of which sounds better (louder usually sounds better, even if the signal is otherwise identical).

Thank you!

awesome review! I'm loving that left hand during the demo at the end of the video man! Damn I love that , what are you doing there?

Sounds to me like the XK is staring you straight in the face but the B is kind of looking over it's shoulder - just a bit more cool.

Great , thanks.

Great Video! Can you send me the link to the downloadable CUSTOM TONE WHEEL setting? Will that take care of the bright key click sound that (in my opinion) is too loud? Thanks!

Very helpful video and, good goobley-goop can you play! Thanks, Jim.

wonderful presentation, is there an amp you could recommend ?

Very good... Good sound...

Loved your video. Wish I had your experience. Seriuosly concidering buying the Sk1 or XKc. I have the Yamaha MotifES 88 at this time. How do you think this stands up with the Hammond XK or the B 3.

Jim Love your playing and thanks for sharing your knowledge. I have both a 1959 B3 with a pair of hot roded 251's and just got the XK3-C...and a Leslie 3300 will your set work with the XK3-C? If so how can I get a copy? Cheers Al

I recently bought a new XK3c and run that through my trusty, stock, Proline 330 Leslie bought new in 1976, a winning combination. Just finished recording a LIVE session in the studio with my blues band and I just can't say enough about it. I am using the B3 voice with the most xtalk and noise it can make. Wonderful. Did a customized keyclick that is NOT overdone. The comment about the chorus vibrato is a bit 'harsh' in my opinion.. A blindfold test for OHOrgan is in order (O:

There is one problem, RU-vid greatly reduces the sound quality of anything uploaded to a point where it all sounds average... The XK3 and XK3c sound like the tone wheel Hammond they sampled which is the one they have in the factory at Addison Illinois. There were so many variances in the way a Hammond sounded over the years because of the slight differences in the tone wheels, filtering on the tone generator and quality of the electronics in the preamplifier.

Great video Jim! Have you seen, heard or even played a Crumar Mojo?