Marsalone Posted April 10, 2009 Report Share Posted April 10, 2009 Hey everybody, I am trying my hardest to come up with a sound similar to Baby Face Willette's Blue Note recordings. I love his sound on Grant Green's album and Lou Donaldson's and his own two records as leader. Does anyone know what registrations he typically used. His sound is so grungy, I just love it. Definately my idol on the organ next to Don Patterson and Brother Jack. Anyway I've been trying in vain to get something similar but it ain't working. I see lots stuff on the net regarding Jimmy Smith's settings and Groove Holmes' sound but nothing on Face's and I need help. Thanks, Daniel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Alfredson Posted April 11, 2009 Report Share Posted April 11, 2009 The key to Babyface's sound is using the V3 vibrato. Every other jazz organist (with the exception of Don Pullen) steers clear of the vibrato settings of the Hammond, preferring to use the chorus instead. The basic Babyface sound is 888000000, V3 vibrato on the top manual, 2nd harmonic percussion, on normal. You can also add some fourth drawbar in there, though that just doubles up the 2nd harmonic percussion (same note). He also used a more traditionally gospel influenced lower manual registration for bass and chords. Something like 848400000 should get you there. As for the grittiness, that's all in the Leslie. Cranked. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chewy-chew-chew-bean-benitez Posted April 11, 2009 Report Share Posted April 11, 2009 jim is right: on my L i get the babyface sound by avoiding that third and rockin' that second Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marsalone Posted April 13, 2009 Author Report Share Posted April 13, 2009 The key to Babyface's sound is using the V3 vibrato. Every other jazz organist (with the exception of Don Pullen) steers clear of the vibrato settings of the Hammond, preferring to use the chorus instead. The basic Babyface sound is 888000000, V3 vibrato on the top manual, 2nd harmonic percussion, on normal. You can also add some fourth drawbar in there, though that just doubles up the 2nd harmonic percussion (same note). He also used a more traditionally gospel influenced lower manual registration for bass and chords. Something like 848400000 should get you there. As for the grittiness, that's all in the Leslie. Cranked. Thanks so much. I can't wait to get home to try it out. I heard that he didn't really use the Leslie much and didn't use chorus. At the end of some songs I hear him spinning the Leslie. I didn't know about the Vibrato. I hear the hint of distortion and grit. He definately has a unique sound and is one of my favorites. His staccato lines just get me going... Ciao, Big D. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Alfredson Posted April 14, 2009 Report Share Posted April 14, 2009 Single-speed Leslie is part of it. No chorale speed. But the key is the V3 vibrato setting on the B3. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cliff Englewood Posted April 14, 2009 Report Share Posted April 14, 2009 Whoa Jim, do you play organ or something???? :lol: Seriously, how on earth do you know such detailed specifics? that's kinda amazing. I am very impressed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Alfredson Posted April 14, 2009 Report Share Posted April 14, 2009 Every good Hammond player should know his/her registrations! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soul Stream Posted April 14, 2009 Report Share Posted April 14, 2009 Did I ever show you my Myspace page I put up for BabyFace? http://www.myspace.com/babyfacewilletteb3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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