Hammond XK-1cchat_bubble_outlineFrom real comments

Numerous commenters say the built-in rotary simulation is the best Hammond has offered, removing the need for an external Neo Ventilator or real Leslie cabinet. One user even ordered the unit after realizing the onboard sim outperformed their real Leslie 3300 experience.

@Steven-zg5bq

I have 2 b3s right now. I just ordered one because I missed it that much. had one long ago, it sounded worse thru a Leslie 3300. the on board Leslie is the BEST! cant wait to get itlaunch

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September 17, 2021

@catboyzee

Like with most digital musical instruments, you have to see it for what it is in order be able to use it effectively. The XK-1C is not the same as 'the real thing', and I'm okay with that. IMHO this is a very musical, if not 100% authentic-sounding clonewheel...and I even like the rotary simulation.launch

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August 27, 2018

@johnoflaherty2598

Thank you, probably one of the smartest purchases I've made in the past two decades, since buying my Roland VK-7 back in 1999. But this little honey does what the VK did 20 years ago, but so, so much better! And your video helped me make my decision. Thank you to you, and good job.launch

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July 29, 2018

@AdrianHeil

Hey Jim, what footswitch do you use to change the Leslie sim rotor speeds? The slow/fast only works with certain Leslie amp model sims correct?launch

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April 6, 2018

Numerous commenters say the built-in rotary simulation is the best Hammond has offered, removing the need for an external Neo Ventilator or real Leslie cabinet. One user even ordered the unit after realizing the onboard sim outperformed a real Leslie 3300.

@Steven-zg5bq

I have 2 b3s right now. I just ordered one because I missed it that much. had one long ago, it sounded worse thru a Leslie 3300. the on board Leslie is the BEST! cant wait to get itlaunch

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September 17, 2021

@johnoflaherty2598

Thank you, probably one of the smartest purchases I've made in the past two decades, since buying my Roland VK-7 back in 1999. But this little honey does what the VK did 20 years ago, but so, so much better! And your video helped me make my decision. Thank you to you, and good job.launch

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July 29, 2018

@mrdali67

Great Piece of music and well played.\n\nI wanna ask you if the XK-1c have all the fine tunings of the tonewheel settings as the SK-series ?\n\nSome people on the net says that the XK-1 is a \"cheap\" version of the SK-series. Personly I can live without the extra sounds of the SK as they arent that good anyway compared to the Nord. Just as long as the Organ section is just as good .. or better, and based on this and other clips on the net the onboard Leslie sim sounds way better than the Nord, wich i know from experience sounds pretty horrible without a real vent.launch

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March 12, 2014

@lawrencemichael9263

I just played the new XK1C and am happy to have all the extra sounds gone.  I need the organ for an organ sound only.  I has a nice keybed action but I think the keys are a bit shorter than a vintage Hammond Organ. The Leslie simulation is the best they have come out with.  No need to play thru a Neo Ventilator or a real Leslie.  Love the wood endcaps (I absolutly hate the easily scratched plastic endcaps on the SK series).  I can already tell I want this to be produced in a duo keyboard with a 2nd set of drawbars - that would be PERFECT!  I used to love my XK3C - but after playing the XK1C - better action, better leslie simulation and better Hammond sounds.  I never tack the XK3C out on a gig but still must play it thru a leslie or a Neo Ventilator to come close to the sound of the XK1C.  Great new Organ.  As always, love to see Jim Perform - he is the BEST!launch

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March 5, 2014

Many commenters, including self-described purists, say they can't tell the difference between the XK-1c and an analog organ. Buyers who previously used Nord or Roland boards say the XK-1c sounds significantly better for organ tone.

@jackrussell4072

I just ordered one..My old bones made me sell my B3 chop,so I tried the Nord,Stage 2.It wasnt bad..But after this demo I thing I did ok..Excellent playing,by the way,Maestro..launch

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September 26, 2018

@catboyzee

Like with most digital musical instruments, you have to see it for what it is in order be able to use it effectively. The XK-1C is not the same as 'the real thing', and I'm okay with that. IMHO this is a very musical, if not 100% authentic-sounding clonewheel...and I even like the rotary simulation.launch

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August 27, 2018

@johnoflaherty2598

Thank you, probably one of the smartest purchases I've made in the past two decades, since buying my Roland VK-7 back in 1999. But this little honey does what the VK did 20 years ago, but so, so much better! And your video helped me make my decision. Thank you to you, and good job.launch

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July 29, 2018

@johnbishop5316

The lick at 5.13 is Davenport Blues? Bix? Although I doubt it was new when he used it. I think this has better bass sounds than the Nords although I think this has been put right on the Nord E5. Thanks for your generosity in sharing all this lovely stuff with us. And again at 7.26!launch

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June 16, 2017

Former B3 and XK3C owners describe the XK-1c as much easier to transport than heavy vintage organs. One recalls hauling '500 pounds of wood' in the past, while another calls it not heavy to carry and ranks it among the best portable organs.

@vidnovakkralj9827

I got one... it is the best of the best 👍🏻it is not heavy to cary on gigs....👌🏻👌🏻I had many organs but xk1c and Korg cx3 are the best ever ...mean portable...launch

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October 10, 2022

@dwayneaguiar1148

Right on I love it. your a B3 monster Jim. theres nothing like a great B3 player in a band. I remember carrying that 500 pounds of wood everywhere but we had to have that sound.I guess things are getting lighter and easier these day.That XK-1c sounds great.launch

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October 21, 2018

@skunkw0rx69

I think I'm in love... a PORTABLE B3... WITH a Leslie sim...launch

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January 12, 2014

A seller comments that units sound great straight out of the box with no extra setup needed, and another owner confirms satisfaction using it regularly on gigs and in church.

@misterstratocaster

Use mine in church almost every Sunday going into a Motion Sound Pro-145.launch

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August 29, 2026

@spacemonkey1053

I have one - very nice keyboard, I've used it on many gigs.launch

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October 12, 2023

@Tonewheeldude

We just started selling them.They sound Great just out of the Box!launch

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November 17, 2013

One long-time XK3C owner reports the XK-1c has a better keybed action and better overall sound than their previous board. Another commenter appreciates the heft of the keyboard's build.

@BillyMcBride

I like very much that sound with the vibrato off as well as what was said about the heft of the keyboard's build.  Thanks for the video.launch

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July 16, 2015

@lawrencemichael9263

I just played the new XK1C and am happy to have all the extra sounds gone.  I need the organ for an organ sound only.  I has a nice keybed action but I think the keys are a bit shorter than a vintage Hammond Organ. The Leslie simulation is the best they have come out with.  No need to play thru a Neo Ventilator or a real Leslie.  Love the wood endcaps (I absolutly hate the easily scratched plastic endcaps on the SK series).  I can already tell I want this to be produced in a duo keyboard with a 2nd set of drawbars - that would be PERFECT!  I used to love my XK3C - but after playing the XK1C - better action, better leslie simulation and better Hammond sounds.  I never tack the XK3C out on a gig but still must play it thru a leslie or a Neo Ventilator to come close to the sound of the XK1C.  Great new Organ.  As always, love to see Jim Perform - he is the BEST!launch

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March 5, 2014

Commenters explicitly praise the XK-1c's wood endcaps, contrasting them favorably with the easily scratched plastic endcaps used on the SK series.

@lawrencemichael9263

I just played the new XK1C and am happy to have all the extra sounds gone.  I need the organ for an organ sound only.  I has a nice keybed action but I think the keys are a bit shorter than a vintage Hammond Organ. The Leslie simulation is the best they have come out with.  No need to play thru a Neo Ventilator or a real Leslie.  Love the wood endcaps (I absolutly hate the easily scratched plastic endcaps on the SK series).  I can already tell I want this to be produced in a duo keyboard with a 2nd set of drawbars - that would be PERFECT!  I used to love my XK3C - but after playing the XK1C - better action, better leslie simulation and better Hammond sounds.  I never tack the XK3C out on a gig but still must play it thru a leslie or a Neo Ventilator to come close to the sound of the XK1C.  Great new Organ.  As always, love to see Jim Perform - he is the BEST!launch

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March 5, 2014

@lawrencemichael9263

Nice - I see a possible 2 manual of this organ in he future.  Certainly room on top for a 2nd set up drawbars  that would operate for the upper keyboard.  There was not a lot of fast leslie speed in this video, but what I could tell is that there would be no need for a Neo Ventilator. Hopefully H-S has dumped those pathetic plastic phony wood endcaps from the SK series.  I am still playing my XK1 through a Neo Ventilator and that setup really kicks.  However, I am getting the urge to upgrade.  It is pretty obvious to me that these newer Hammond Keyboards (SK1, SK2 and XK1c) are making the much heavier XK3C obsolete.  However, I think these new keyboards are just a little too lite and tend to bounce a little on certain stands. I sometimes use 3 keyboards on a show and I want them all solid and I just never got that feel with the Nord Electro 3 61 or the SK1.  My XK1 is perfect.  Thanks for the demo. As always, you inspire me.  An added note - I love my Neo Ventilator but no sure why there are no videos out there that compare the internal leslie simulation on the newer boards with the Vent. Still hoping for a demo of the new Hammond Leslie Pedal against the Neo Ventilator.  But, I am impressed with the new XK1C.launch

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December 24, 2013

Several users say they specifically want an organ-only instrument without extra piano or EP voices, and the XK-1c satisfies that need directly, unlike the SK series which bundles additional sounds.

@mrdali67

Great Piece of music and well played.\n\nI wanna ask you if the XK-1c have all the fine tunings of the tonewheel settings as the SK-series ?\n\nSome people on the net says that the XK-1 is a \"cheap\" version of the SK-series. Personly I can live without the extra sounds of the SK as they arent that good anyway compared to the Nord. Just as long as the Organ section is just as good .. or better, and based on this and other clips on the net the onboard Leslie sim sounds way better than the Nord, wich i know from experience sounds pretty horrible without a real vent.launch

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March 12, 2014

@lawrencemichael9263

I just played the new XK1C and am happy to have all the extra sounds gone.  I need the organ for an organ sound only.  I has a nice keybed action but I think the keys are a bit shorter than a vintage Hammond Organ. The Leslie simulation is the best they have come out with.  No need to play thru a Neo Ventilator or a real Leslie.  Love the wood endcaps (I absolutly hate the easily scratched plastic endcaps on the SK series).  I can already tell I want this to be produced in a duo keyboard with a 2nd set of drawbars - that would be PERFECT!  I used to love my XK3C - but after playing the XK1C - better action, better leslie simulation and better Hammond sounds.  I never tack the XK3C out on a gig but still must play it thru a leslie or a Neo Ventilator to come close to the sound of the XK1C.  Great new Organ.  As always, love to see Jim Perform - he is the BEST!launch

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March 5, 2014