FAQ Intro, RFC

[bpb (Brad Baker)]

All,

What follows is my first attempt at an introduction to the Hammond -
Leslie FAQ. I've tried to capture the fervor (somewhat
tongue-in-cheek), with which you Hammond devotees speak of Hammonds
and Leslies and their players and performances. The balance of the FAQ
will follow soon, it's component parts are filling in nicely.

This is a request for comment and review. Please inform me if you
think that the tenor of the introduction is inappropiate,
insufficient, or grossly misstates your feeling about this classic
instrument.

Regards,

Bradley Baker
bpb@mlb.cca.rockwell.com


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HAMMOND/LESLIE
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
0th Edition. Rev -
xx November 1994

        INTRO

Welcome to the Hammond organ and Leslie speaker FAQ. This is provided
for new converts, seasoned elders, skeptics, and vistors alike as a
source of information, myth and lore regarding all things Hammond and
Leslie.  It is hoped that among the fanatical ravings herein will be
found real actual useful information.

The sound of the Hammond organ has been somewhat absent in popular
recordings of the previous decade or so. There was a time though when
its presence on stage was de rigueur for any self-respecting band -
you simply weren't a real band without one. The sound of the Hammond
organ is being heard once again in contemporary recordings. It has
been carried to the surface recently by what seems to be a "retro"
movement in popular music. The Hammond - Leslie combination can be
seen on stage at concert venues around the country and on television
sound stages on late-night talk shows, usually being played by someone
in a contemporary pop group. But occasionally a veteran can be seen
holding court at the console, grabbing a handful of drawbars while the
Leslie spools up to vibrato speed.

What is it about the Hammond organ and Leslie speaker that evokes
zealous devotion in its advocates? Why do many of them consider the
Hammond to be an instrument and other boxes with keys affixed to be
merely poseurs?

Well, of course, there's the sound...

It has been said that one has to acquire a taste for the sound of the
Hammond organ. Perhaps this is true and no attempt is made here to
describe it. But a serious listen to the best of the listed recordings
in the accompanying discography should be sufficient to addict most of
the uninitiated to that sound. They demonstrate the Hammond organs'
ability as an instrument to evoke in the listener the emotion
projected by the organist. That ability is the essence of the
fanaticism some have toward the instrument; the Hammond/ Leslie
combination is arguably an acoustic instrument, while more modern
keyboards, controllers, and workstations lack this organic quality.

And then, there's the technology...

The first thing you notice when you remove the back of a tone wheel
Hammond and poke your curious head into its innards is... the smell of
oil and wood. The tone generator is an over-engineered example of
1940's American technology comprised of cogs, shafts, bearings and
wire. A spider web of thread runs from the oil reservoir cups to each
bearing to provide wick lubrication. The rest of the instrument is
hand constructed of the same high quality. And you can still get
parts.  Will your model ***** keyboard/controller/workstation still be
working in forty years? Will you be able to get parts for it in the
year 2030?  Will you care? Hammond organs can be a pleasure to
work on.


Enough ranting. The FAQ is organized as follows:

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