Your favorite Hammond B-3 organ solo? - Progressive Rock Music Forum

Pretty much any early Emerson solo (e.g., Knife-Edge).

Some have mentioned Rod Argent. He plays a thoroughly prog-worthy solo on Lothlorien, from Ring of Hands. Ol' Goodge Harris has a great solo on Galactic Zoo Dossier (on Gypsy Escape). One of my favorites.

Can you tell me where we're headin'?
Lincoln County Road or Armageddon.

Brian Auger

my first thought was "A Whiter Shade Of Pale" by Procol Harum but that's not really a solo, I just like the sound of it

assume the power 1586/14.3

These Brian Auger videos remind me that I was at an Eric Burdon concert once, and he had Auger as keyboarder. At one point of the concert the guitar player broke a string during a song, and Auger did an ad hoc solo that had definitely not been planned so the guitar player had time enough to replace the string during the song. That was really impressive; true professionalism.

Edited by BaldFriede - July 31 2010 at 15:15

BaldJean and I; I am the one in blue.

harmonium.ro wrote:

What's the difference between the various Hammond organs?

Different settings, amounts of draw bars, tone, amount of bass pedals, keyboard length...etc. The tone generators, vibrato, keyboard length, and amount of draw bars are the most important differences IMO. For example a Hammond L-100 vs a Hammond B3.

The L-100 has a much more metallic sound (think Dave Stewart) whereas the B-3 has the more typical gospel like soft sound (obviously prog rock musicians overdrive and alter this at times). Think Keith Emerson, Wakeman, or most of the big guys on that one.

The L-100 has fewer draw bars than a B-3. which in turn gives you less control over the tone.

The B-3 has much longer keyboards than the L-100. The L-100 starts on F and has two full octaves, then goes up a fifth and ends on C. The B-3 has a much wider range, the lower range is added on.

The B-3 also has heavier percussion AKA key click.

B-3 has more tremolo sounding softer vibrato, whereas the L-100 has a wide fast vibrato.

The B-3 is preferred by almost all, but honestly for wild prog music I prefer the gnarly beast sound of the L-100.

B-3 has multiple octaves of bass pedals, the L-100 only has one.

Keith Emerson always has both on stage. He plays both simultaneously, and the L-100 is what he rides around on on stage.

Thats only two popular choices in comparison. They've had every subtle difference imaginable over the years. Some with single keyboards, different sounds, no pedals, anything. The L-100, A-100, and C-3 are all the EXACT same organ in different casings. The B-3 is much more stripped down and visible from all sides, the C-3 is closed in so that women could play in dresses/skirts without anyone getting a peek. The A-100 is similar to the B-3 but with onboard speakers and spring reverb added.

My L-100 is my baby.

Edited by himtroy - July 31 2010 at 15:33

Which of you to gain me, tell, will risk uncertain pains of hell?
I will not forgive you if you will not take the chance.

jammun wrote:

Pretty much any early Emerson solo (e.g., Knife-Edge).

Some have mentioned Rod Argent. He plays a thoroughly prog-worthy solo on Lothlorien, from Ring of Hands. Ol' Goodge Harris has a great solo on Galactic Zoo Dossier (on Gypsy Escape). One of my favorites.

Emerson plays C3. I say Gershatzer by Atomic Rooster!

Trendsetter win!

The search for nonexistent perfection.

Check this out:

http://www.bing.com/videos/watch/videojimmy-smith-the-sermon-1964/f1135bbe74cf9002bbaf1135bbe74c9f9002bba-165706597392?q=jimmy20%20smith&FORM=VIRE8

Vincent Crane's B3 playing on the Crazy World of Arthur Brown is mindblowing, particularly on "I Put a Spell on You."

I'm also fond of the Zombies' "Time of the Season" which has two organ solos at the same time.

Ronnie Pilgrim wrote:

I passed on buying a C3 at the Salvation Army thrift shop for $75. They couldn't plug it in for me to see if it worked. On hindsight, what's seventy five clams on such rare chance?

Please shoot me.

WHAT?!??!?! HOW LONG AGO WAS THAT?!?! I'M BUYING A PLANE TICKET NOWWWWWWWWW

Trendsetter win!

The search for nonexistent perfection.

Everyone mentions Wakeman's Roundabout hamond-rape (which is quite awesome) BUT what about his much cooler one in Close to the Edge??!

It's blinding fast, really melodic, and has the most spine-tinglingly clean sound that just cuts thru the sitar-chords of Mr Howe. The pureness of each note (though they don't last for long!) is so rare in hammond-playing, where the rough and dirty sounds usually prevail.

It's my favourite keyboard solo, let alone organ solo.