Re: The Best B-3's

[Kurt Schlieter <kschliet@execpc.com>]

The years were 1959-1965 and these particular B-3's were called A-100's.

 I was talking to another member of the list recently and remarked that I
had just sold my 1955 B-3 (Ser.#56449) When he asked why, I replied that I
liked my A-100 better. We then discussed at length the fact that several
players we both knew actually did prefer
A-100's to B-3's. I realize that this is akin to questioning the emporer's
new clothes,
but I draw your attention to the September 1996 "Keyboard" magazine
interview with Charles Earland and Larry Goldings. On page 68 Larry remarks
"For some reason the A-100's I've run across have a sound that I like. I
don't know why. They have a certain warmth that I like."
In light of this, I think it's time that we A-100 players stopped
apologizing and 
stand up for an instrument that many players think of as "not quite a B-3".
I for one have owned several Hammonds, all the "B" models (yes, including
the BA), every "C"/"D"
model except the C3, and a couple of A-100's. All of them are now gone
except the A-100, and it's because it just plain sounds the best. I should
mention that this particular instrument is connected to a 122RV using an
8401 kit, the same as a B3 would be, so we are comparing apples to apples.
I'd like to hear comments from all Hammond players expressing their opinions
on their
particular instruments, and why they chose them.

Kurt

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