Other organs for a combo collection?

Started by 58Mike, July 26, 2016, 02:20:14 PM

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58Mike

Right now, I have a Vox Continental, a Farfisa Combo Compact, a Gibson G101, and a CDX-0632 (I bought that one just because it looks cool) is on its way.   There are some other organs on eBay that look kinda interesting, specifically a Rheem Mark VII, and they're certainly cheap.   But I'm wondering if it adds anything I don't already have with the Farfisa.

I'd like to have a collection of all the *interesting* combo organs, but I keep seeing more and more brands I had never heard of before (like the Rheem), so I want to limit myself to organs that would make sense.

Any thoughts on what I should add?   Or would you call it done?

mvanmanen

I really do not know combo organs very well.
You might be interested in exploring some of the string synths that use the divide-down technology of the combo organs.
I have an Moog Opus 3 and an ARP Omni that are interesting. In fact the Moog has an organ section that you can run through the Moog filter. The textures you get with these layer really nice with rhodes, wurlitzer, piano, etc.
Wurlitzer 200a
Wurlitzer 145
Fender Rhodes (1966, 1971, 1975)
Hohner Clavinet Pianet Duo
Hohner Clavinet D6s and C
Hohner Pianet T
Hohner Pianet N and Combo Pianet
Hammond B3

Alan Lenhoff

Done collecting combos?  I don't think so. (We've addressed this earlier...) ;-)

So, are you looking for something rare? Something that sounds especially good?  Something that exemplifies the classic, weedy sound of  a combo? Something that just looks cool.   I'll throw out a few possibilities:

A Yamaha YC-series combo.  These score low on the famous player scale, but are reputed to be really well-made (now that makes it a rare combo!), good-sounding organs. And you can get some models in classic combo red.

Wurlitzer 7300.  Cool tripod-like stand.  One of the better sounding combos, IMHO.  But its strong vibrato sound can induce nausea. Maybe there's a way to tame that.

Fender Contempo:  Cool looking, especially with the original stand. Not the greatest sounding combo, in my opinion. But it's a genuine  Fender!  And it comes in red.

Another Vox:  These are the best of the combos. Why not find a Super? Or a Baroque?  or a Continental II? The Jag is a classic (a typical buzzy-sounding, Italian organ) and sold well to those who couldn't afford a Continental back in the day. And they all come in red.

And there are dozens of combo brands if you have a desire for an obscure conversation piece.

(Notwithstanding the above, I think that with a Continental, G101, and a Farfisa Compact, you already have the most iconic models.)

Alan
Co-author, "Classic Keys: Keyboard Sounds That Launched Rock Music"

Learn about the book: http://www.classickeysbook.com/
Find it on Amazon.com: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1574417762/

1965 UK Vox Continental;1967 Gibson G101 organ; 1954 Hammond B2; Leslie 21H; Leslie 31H; 1974 Rhodes Mark I Stage 73; 1972 Rhodes Sparkletop Piano Bass; 1978 Hohner Clavinet D6; 1968 Hohner Pianet N II; 1966 Wurlitzer 140B; 1980 Moog Minimoog Model D; 1983 Roland JX-3P; 1977 Fender Twin Reverb; 1983 Roland JX-3P synth; Vox AC30CC2X amp.
(See the collection: https://vintagerockkeyboards.com/ )

Peter Hayes

Don't forget the tuck & roll Kustom Combo.
Peter Hayes
Electronic Edge
http://www.elecedge.com
937-767-7174

Alan Lenhoff

Co-author, "Classic Keys: Keyboard Sounds That Launched Rock Music"

Learn about the book: http://www.classickeysbook.com/
Find it on Amazon.com: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1574417762/

1965 UK Vox Continental;1967 Gibson G101 organ; 1954 Hammond B2; Leslie 21H; Leslie 31H; 1974 Rhodes Mark I Stage 73; 1972 Rhodes Sparkletop Piano Bass; 1978 Hohner Clavinet D6; 1968 Hohner Pianet N II; 1966 Wurlitzer 140B; 1980 Moog Minimoog Model D; 1983 Roland JX-3P; 1977 Fender Twin Reverb; 1983 Roland JX-3P synth; Vox AC30CC2X amp.
(See the collection: https://vintagerockkeyboards.com/ )

58Mike

Oh, that Kustom Kombo with the blue tuck and roll is just too cool!   Some guy on eBay wants $2,100 for one, though, and even if I was willing to spend that much (which I am not), it doesn't appear to be in great shape.   I'm going to keep looking, though.

The Fender Contempo looks really cool, too.   None on eBay at the moment.   I'm in no hurry, though, so it will be fun to see what comes up over time.

I think I'll also look out for the Wurlitzer 7300.   The Yamaha YC series and Moog Opus 3 and ARP Omnisounds look cool, but I'm thinking more era-specific retro stuff.

I had thought about other Voxes, specifically the Jaguar, since it was so popular, but my understanding is that it was always for the guys who couldn't afford a Continental, and I've never heard anyone say they actually *liked* the sound.   Plus it looks so similar to the Continental, that it wouldn't add a new "look" to the collection.    Then again, as I mentioned somewhere before, part of my purpose (aside from collecting) is to sample these puppies (http://realitone.com), so maybe people would want Jag samples.

Alan Lenhoff

Quote from: 58Mike on July 27, 2016, 01:10:57 PM
The Yamaha YC series and Moog Opus 3 and ARP Omnisounds look cool, but I'm thinking more era-specific retro stuff.

In hindsight, I wasn't clear: The Yamaha YC series combo organs that I was talking about (YC-10, 20, 30, etc.) hit the market starting in 1969.  Not to be confused with the current Yamaha Reface YC model, which is a digital vintage organ emulator.

Alan
Co-author, "Classic Keys: Keyboard Sounds That Launched Rock Music"

Learn about the book: http://www.classickeysbook.com/
Find it on Amazon.com: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1574417762/

1965 UK Vox Continental;1967 Gibson G101 organ; 1954 Hammond B2; Leslie 21H; Leslie 31H; 1974 Rhodes Mark I Stage 73; 1972 Rhodes Sparkletop Piano Bass; 1978 Hohner Clavinet D6; 1968 Hohner Pianet N II; 1966 Wurlitzer 140B; 1980 Moog Minimoog Model D; 1983 Roland JX-3P; 1977 Fender Twin Reverb; 1983 Roland JX-3P synth; Vox AC30CC2X amp.
(See the collection: https://vintagerockkeyboards.com/ )

58Mike

Ah, I see now.   Yes, those are very cool, too.   Thanks for that.

Peter Hayes

Peter Hayes
Electronic Edge
http://www.elecedge.com
937-767-7174

58Mike

Quote from: Peter Hayes on August 04, 2016, 09:27:43 AM
Here ya go.

https://www.gbase.com/gear/kustom-kombo-c-1295-1968-red-sparkle
I missed this earlier.   Very cool looking!   Thanks!    I have a feeling it will be priced way out of my budget, though.