NEW B-3

The NEW B-3, is an exact digital duplication of Hammond's original B-3, complete with multi-contact keys, original cabinet and even a start switch. All this, plus the new VASE lll sound reproduction, makes it exact in every detail.

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PURE Hammond
Since its introduction in 1955, the Hammond B3 has become the essential performance tool for the worlds great keyboard players. The instantly recognizable B3 sound is synonymous with the world of popular music, while no concert stage would seem complete without a B3´s imposing wooden cabinet.

B3 design specifications
Now, for the first time Hammond has exactly replicated the original B3 design specifications with the introduction of the NEW B3.

Sound generator system
The unique B3 sound is reproduced by a revolutionary newly designed sound generator system (96DigitalToneWheels™), which recreates all of those wonderful idiosyncrasies of the Tone wheel generator which have eluded all previous digital systems.

Waterfall keys & harmonic drawbars
Two, 61 note, B3 style, waterfall key, keyboards allow for the essential performance characteristics of the Hammond masters, especially effortless palm glissandos. While four complete sets of nine traditional harmonic drawbars and twenty four reverse colour key presets achieve total ease of set up.

Mechanical multi-contact system
It is by utilizing several tone varying features that the B3 performs so uniquely. Upper and lower pitch foldback subtly effects the overall sound, while, probably, the most important and interesting feature is the nine key contact system operating on each key. These contacts connect from each of the nine drawbar pitches and by pressing a key slowly each pitch level can be determined, high to low. This system created the earliest form of touch response for tone variance as well as expression. This mechanical contact system is also responsible for Hammond´s famous key click noise, an unintended feature that became an essential component of the B3 character. The NEW B3 incorporates a complete mechanical contact system, totally unique in a modern instrument.

B3 expression curve
Sound dynamics are controlled by an exact copy of the original B3 expression
curve incorporated in the new instruments foot volume controller.


 
More information available on...
Prestige, Performance & Quality
Digital Tone Wheelô Sound and Direct Analogue Keyingô
Pre-Set Combinations
Selective Vibrato Stops
Touch Response Percussion Control
Information Center
Rotary Control Panel
MIDI
The Registration Principle of the Hammond Organ
Multiple Leslie Speaker Connection
Leslie Speed Switch
Leslie Main/Echo Switch
Also available as model C-3
Comparisons New B-3/Original B-3
 

Prestige                         
Performance
                         Quality

These are the terms that best describe the Hammond
NEW B-3 Organ. This brochure is dedicated to all performers
and lovers of organ music who demand nothing less than the
finest in tonal reproduction whether their appreciation is for
the classic masterpieces of Bach or the sparkling modern
arrangements of contemporary composers and artists.
The Hammond New B-3 Organ offers conservative styling
that lends gracious dignity to any dÈcor. Notice the variety
of timeless finishes carefully executed on choice hand
selected woods. Observe the superb craftsmanship that
represents the epitome of the cabinetmakerís art.
You can literally "feel" the built-in quality that characterizes
all of the craftsmanship that is represented in the Hammond
New B-3 Organ- from the finish on the superb cabinet to the
precious metal palladium contacts in the heart of this truly
magnificent instrument.

Finally! Someone got it right!

The Heart and Soul of the NEW B-3

Digital Tone Wheelô Sound Engine
and
Direct Analogue Keyingô

Let us now consider the new digital tone generator and see how it produces the sound. The unique Hammond B-3 sound is reproduced by a revolutionary newly designed sound generator system (96 digital Tone Wheels). This new digital Tone Wheel generator perfectly generates pure tones that is tones which have no harmonic content of their own. This purity is essential in order to attain a desirable tonal cohesion between the fundamental and its harmonics when they are mixed through the use of the drawbars.

When a manual key is pressed, it closes 10 small electrical switch contacts. These contacts are connected to the digital Tone Wheel generator as well as to the drawbars. The positions of the drawbars (which are under control of the player) determine the intensities of the individual electrical currents corresponding to the fundamental and its harmonics.

 
 

Preset Combinations

Each manual of the organ is equipped with nine pre-set combination keys. In addition, there are two sets of manually adjustable controls for each keyboard, thus making twenty-two different registrations which are instantly available, in addition, of course, to the many thousands of variations available by adjustment of the "harmonic drawbars." "VIBRATO AND CHORUS" has six possible positions corresponding to three degrees of vibrato and three degrees of vibrato chorus. The control pre-selects the extent of vibrato or vibrato chorus which will be obtained when either of the manual vibrato "ON-OFF" stops is used.

The Selective Vibrato Stops

The great and swell manuals are provided with separate "ON OFF" vibrato
controls in the form of tilting stop tablets. The rotating control "VIBRATO AND CHORUS" has six possible positions corresponding to three degrees of vibrato and three degrees of vibrato chorus. The control preselects the extent of vibrato or vibrato chorus which will be obtained when either of the manual vibrato "ON-OFF" stops is used.

 
Rotary Control Panel

The new Hammond B-3 has a Rotary Control Panel which is located underneath the manuals on the extreme left side. The organist can use these controls to adjust the sound of the instrument such as: master volume, bass, treble, reverb, overdrive etc.

MIDI

The New Hammond B-3 has a MIDI OUT jack which is located underneath the organ on the left side. To control another MIDI instrument (synthesizer, sound module, etc.) from the organ, connect the MIDI OUT from the organ to the MIDI IN of the instrument you want to control.
Due to the unique tone-generation system of the New Hammond B-3, it does not implement MIDI IN or MIDI THRU.

 
 

Multiple
Speaker Connection

The New B-3 Hammond Organ has two 11-pin Leslie connectors, one marked MAIN and the other marked ECHO, making it easy to connect multiple Leslie Speakers to the organ.

  Speed Switch


A Leslie Speed Switch is provided with the New B-3 Hammond Organ to allow control of the Leslie Speaker rotors from the organ console.

 

  

Main/Echo Switch


When two Leslie Speakers are connected to the organ, the optional Main/Echo switch will allow the sound to come from only the Main cabinet, only the Echo cabinet, or both cabinets simultaneously.

The B-3 is also available
as model C-3 ...

An instrument of enormous power and beauty. Widely used in churches and in the homes of discriminating organists. Its vibrant, majestic tone coupled with its simple straight lines and closed cabinetry are perfectly matched for a dignified presentation of the complete range of organ music as well as a magnificent variety of true liturgical tones.
NEW B-3 ORIGINAL B-3
KEYBOARDS 61-61-25 61-61-25
PRESET KEY  12keys 12keys
Mechanical Latch Mechanical Latch

DRAWBARS

SWELL (UPPER) 9 pitches 2 sets 9 pitches 2 sets
GREAT (LOWER)  9 pitches 2 sets 9 pitches 2 sets
PEDAL 2 pitches 2 pitches
PRESET MEMORY Compact Flash card Change by Preset Panel
KEYING METHOD Direct Analog Keying Direct Analog Keying
CONTACT 10-Mechanical contacts 9-Mechanical contacts
+Rubber contacts w/velocity
POLYPHONY Full Polyphony Full Polyphony
GENERATOR (Manual) 96-Digital Tone Wheels 91-Tone Wheels
GEN. WAVEFORM Changeable by CFcard Fixed
(Flash ROM)
GENERATOR (Pedal) VASE III Tone Wheels
VIBRATO/CHORUS V1, V2, V3, C1, C2 ,C3 V1, V2, V3, C1, C2 ,C3
SWELL ON, GREAT ON SWELL ON, GREAT ON
LESLIE SLOW, STOP, FAST SLOW, FAST
CONTROL OVERDRIVE
REVERB
TONE CONTROL BASS , TREBLE
TERMINAL LINE IN ,LINE OUT  PHONO INPUT
11-Pin LESLIE SOCKET 6-Pin LESLIE SOCKET
HEADPHONE
MIDI OUT
EXT MEMORY SLOT COMPACT FLASH CARD
DISPLAY 20x2 digits LCD
WEIGHT 132 kg 190 kg
DIMENSIONS Closed, without pedal keyboard 123 cm wide, 73 cm deep, 97 cm high.

Open and with pedal keyboard and bench 123 cm wide, 126 cm deep, 117 cm high.

 

 

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