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From: Dusen
Date: Sat, 20 Mar 1999 12:19:54 -0500
Subject: B3 Harp

There's been discussion lately about achieving an organ like sound from
a harmonica. I've played keyboards in blues bands for many years along
with harmonica but for the last year have played only harp on stage. I
favor the harp anyway...and not just because it's easier to carry!

My keyboard equipment included synthized Hammond B3 played through an
amp with a Korg Tone Works Rotary Speaker Simulator G4 effect to
substitute the Leslie sound. I've now added the Korg to my harmonica
gear both for the
songs I used to play with the keys and some others.

This isn't just a phaser or flanger but a true Leslie simulator. It does
a real fine job. I caught Bruce Katz from the Ronnie Earl Band running
his Hammond thru one at the Pocono Blues Fest. Close your eyes and you'd
probably think that little stomp box was a huge wooden Leslie on stage.
Of course the price was about $350 last time I saw one listed. I snagged
mine used for $250.

Leslies have a bottom bass rotor and two top horn rotors. The Korg
simuates both. It also has variables for balance between the two,
microphone placement, fast and slow rotation along with accelaration and
braking, stop ,bypass and drive, volume input and output, stereo or
mono. This unit can be placed near your feet on stage for real
convience.

My best compliments have been from a couple of B3 players... hey, they
knew that wasn't a Hammond up there but they still dug the sound!

Is all this neccessary for your harp sound? I originally bought the Korg
for my keyboard. Probaby wouldn't have bought it otherwise. I used to
use an old Mutron Phaser for my harp and that was nice too. Not quite a
Leslie sound, but in the ballpark and quite pleasant. It all depends
what effects sound good to your ears and what you think will please your
audience...and of course how much you're willing to pay!

Have fun no matter how you do it! Jim Dusen