Jim Alfredson

Paul, I'm really sorry to hear this. I can't really add anything, but there are lots of teaching opportunities in Michigan and you could jam with us anytime!

For Big Al: Styx, live in Lansing, MI just a few weeks ago at the Common Ground festival. You have to watch until the end, where the Dennis DeYoung-replacement model 2000 totally biffs the high-note.

He's most famous for being the organist in Procol Harum (A Whiter Shade of Pale). So basically his opinion about a jazz pianist like Keezer is akin to my opinion about a band like Deerhoof.

No need to escalate this. I found the humor in this thread refreshing, considering the potential for outlandish retorts to the post in question. I don't know what wolff's problem is. He's been here a long time and has been a good contributor. But this recent crop of xenophobia is disturbing and will not be tolerated.

Classy.

And therein lies the entire situation, in a nutshell.

Dude, what is your problem? Another post like this and you're gone.

I'll post more about this later, but I have refinished two organs (with the help of my dad who is a piano tech) and a Leslie (by myself). I have not used the Minwax product, but I've also stripped a lot of door and window casings in my 100 year old house. I was using that nasty, general purpose stripper that comes in big, metal cans and smells terrible. That's what my dad always used. Recently, I've switched over to the citrus-based strippers and they work just as good and don't smell even half as bad. They are bio-degradable and much easier to work with as well. If the Minwax is citrus based, I'd go for it. If not, look for something at Home Depot or your local hardware. Stripping is relatively easy... I don't know what your experience is. You do not have to take all the guts out of the organ to do it, but it helps to at least free the manuals. Have you done that? If not, I can guide you through it. It's fairly simple to get them movable. Then you just tape off what you don't want to get stripper on (lots of masking tape and thick newspaper). You can buy veneer at professional woodworking shops and it's fairly simple to attach. Get it flexable (steam works well) and glue it and clamp it. The hardest part is matching the rest of the organ. Any little dings and scratches can be sanded out or if they are deep filled with stainable putty. Somewhere in my archives I have some before and after photos of my C2 that my dad and I refinished. It was fun! How is the organ electronically? How familair are you with electronics?

I still had to pay a pretty penny for the rig. I'm not lauding it because I have an endorsement. I've forgone portable clonewheels for years because none of them could adequately replicate the B3. This is the first one that does. The reason I went after the endorsement in the first place was because I played the XK System first. I knew I had to have it and also knew I probably couldn't afford it, so I tried a shot at getting some help from Hammond Suzuki and I did!

So I take it they don't sing any Palestrina? On the plus side, the guys in those groups (the ones that are straight anyway) probably get some serious play.

Not sure, but I like it.

This is what I'm talking about: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P-0R-WlpgwQ

Who would have imagined you hadn't heard these two wonderful dates before? Well, I haven't heard a bunch of essential stuff as well, I'm sure. Good point, Conn. I was wondering the same thing. Jim........you gotta start doing some Jazz Messengers acquiring. There's a lot of stuff I haven't heard. I should've put off getting married for awhile...

I like this one better: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hDJNeV5l5FU

Who is Germany's David Hasslehoff?

He did say "completely". He's not quite there yet. The K2 of Blakey's "Caravan" sounds damn good to me, but then again I haven't heard the original CD pressing (if there was one). But man, what a powerful sound!

Stealing your neighbor's Concord package and claiming it was yours... geez... how low can you go?

Its run it's course. Time for a new one!

The XK System is more portable, since it breaks down into four pieces (the top keyboard, the bottom keyboard, the stand, & the pedals). Each piece weighs under 45lbs, so it is a lot easier to move. The New B3 doesn't break down. It is modeled after a B3 (same style cabinet) so you have the organ and the pedals. Even though it weighs less than a tonewheel B3, it's still a very large piece of furniture to be moving around. The other difference is that the New B3 has 9 real analog contacts under the keys to emulate the keying system of a traditional B3 (which has 9 busbars). This is where the infamous Hammond "key-click" sound comes from, which is essential to the instrument. On the XK System, the key-click is sampled (although I must say, it sounds damn good... I can't tell the difference). They make a portable New B3 for $12,000 that is in a sort of metal / plastic type case that is a bit more portable than the all-wood one. http://hammondorganco.com/portableB3.htm They also make one with "european styling", whatever that means. I think it's supposed to compete with the Diversi organ. http://hammondorganco.com/B3ultimo.htm Pretty neat, but I have no idea how much it weighs, how easy it is to move, or what it costs. Probably not much cheaper than the Portable B3. For me, the best choice was the XK System.

I'll be unveiling a new logo in a month or two, so be patient. The bulleye is going the way of the dodo.

With a Leslie, an A100 is probably worth about $3000.

If it's in perfect working order (you still have a problem with the chorus/vibrato, don't you?) then anywhere from $1000 to $2000. A100s keep going up. Check ebay, but keep in mind Hammonds are pretty inflated on there, for some reason.

Very cool. Good luck on the ride, Julielyn, and please keep us informed!

Herb, I need one for a Wurli. Thanks for the offer, though.

Another clip from that movie: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=At-fGmq_UE0 Stan is totally checking Astrud out as she walks by. Who's playing vibes?