Hammond SK1/2

karmathanever · Post by **karmathanever** » Thu Jun 23, 2016 12:58 pm

Anyone have this?

Review/views/comments would be gratefully received.

Thanks

Pete

gnbutt · Post by **gnbutt** » Thu Jun 23, 2016 6:23 pm

I own the Hammond SK2 and love it for my application. Mind you, there are quite a few other "clonewheels" out there on the market with more sets of drawbars which many true organists prefer. Further, it is getting really difficult to tell the difference in these clones with the B3/C3 vibrato/chorus everyone wants, just like the original Hammond B3 and Leslie 122 flagship as a live organ set-up (which I had for years myself). I chose the SK2 because it is a Hammond, but Nord, Korg, Roland keys are very competitive units if you want to emulate an organ and rotary speaker. The SK2 is very light and I have a Hammond SK2 gig bag, it's easy to travel with. I found the price a bit stiff in Canadian funds but bought from a very good dealer, Long & McQuade in Toronto. The slow/fast rotary effect is quite good but I do have it connected to a Mini-Vent for organ too. Even the Roland VR-09, a relatively low priced keyboard, produces really good B3/122 sound. I am sure that your post will have others commenting. Personally, I think if you are looking for a really good organ keyboards, check other units in addition to the Hammond. I have heard very good comments on the Sk1 which is certainly cheaper. I do see on the internet that Hammond has just introduced a full sized single keyboard, haven't heard the retail price yet. Cheers !

karmathanever · Post by **karmathanever** » Fri Jun 24, 2016 12:32 am

Thanks - greatly appreciate your feedback

Pete

jfenton · Post by **jfenton** » Fri Jun 24, 2016 1:13 am

I have a Hammond SK2 - It is very nice but wish it had more drawbars.
I also have a Roland VR-09 - Don't count on too much midi functionality with this one (except for alternate keyboard performance). I use it to haul around as it is quite lighter than the SK2 (which weighs in at about 35 lbs). The VR-09 is about 11 lbs and can run on rechargable batteries.

Finally I have a Nord Stage 2 Compact EX which is VERY nice and solid. Has good midi implementation and lots of sounds. You can also sample and put your own sounds on this one.

If I had my choice of the 3 and had the budget I would go with the Nord and get a nice extra midi keyboard for dual manual.

If on a strict budget, I would go with the VR-09 (I found mine as b stock for 750 USD.

But I do love my Hammond SK2 as well.

Nord also has a nice dual manual organ C2D which has all drawbars but is a bit more spending and doesn't have all the great synth and piano sounds of the Stage 2 EX

Decisions decisions.
I like my Korg Triton Extreme as well. I'm keeping them all

karmathanever · Post by **karmathanever** » Fri Jun 24, 2016 5:49 am

Thanks jfenton

I have the VR09 and love its sounds - particularly the "B3/Leslie" emulation and e-pianos.
It has a whole lot more very nice sounds too - but you are right - MIDI implementation is very limited.
I absolutely love Hammond B3-Leslie combination and have wanted to "own" those sounds for a long time.
I bought a Creamware B4000 module a fair while ago - it was actually very nice.
Since then my Kronos CX3 engine has given me great joy in this area too.

The VR09 blew me away and so had to have it - now, the reason I started this topic was to get some feedback (and thanks) on the SK1 which, if I do buy, will replace my VR09
My poor tiny studio would not cope with another keyboard!!!!

With the appreciated replies here and some more heavy investigation, I am leaning towards staying with my VR09 for now.
In my Blues band I mostly use the "B3/Leslie" sounds but often some of the synth sounds of the VR09 too so having a pith-bender is good (SK1 doesn't have one?)

Still a little undecided....

Thanks again for all the info and opinions.

Pete