Having owned several B-3's over the years I feel qualified rate the XK3 sound. Overall, it's as good as it gets. It's also nice to have reverb, both percussion choices at once, and all the other things that are not available on a "real" Hammond console. There's no way anyone might be disappointed if sound is all you care about.

Paying extra for the volume (swell) pedal sucks. Positioning of the Leslie switch is fine if you've never played the real thing. If you have, it takes some getting used to. I thought Suzuki's having placed another switch on the optional volume pedal would be an advantage. It's not unless you're a ballet dancer.

Real Hammond players will find most menu options useless and confusing. Just sit down and play. Use the drawbars, and pre-sets... percussion, etc. You'll feel right at home until you reach for the lower manual. Having it is a must for former Hammond players. Too bad that 2nd manual, little more than a controller keyboard, is so expensive.

Seems well built. Very heavy, therefor easy to damage. Keep the box. It's as good or better than most cases. Electronic controls seem hefty enough. Surface is easily marred, but that's the price you pay if you're careless. Not as easy to cover up as the old woodies.

I love it. Right combination of portability, sound, and price for the main unit, but lower keyboard and all accessories is too expensive for what you get. Hopefully prices on those will be adjusted downward.

Mine actually died the first day I had it. Not DOA, but all effects, Leslie, volume control and more, died within 12 hours of plugging it in. I tried a re-set with no results. Had to send it back to Hammond at my expense. They claimed diagnostics failed to locate the cause of the problem so they replaced EVERYTHING, one component at a time. It took a month, but I had told them there was no hurry. (I'm retired form playing professionally) There have been no problems since. They were friendly, accessible and seemed to really appreciate my patience since this was one of the first off the line. (I dealt direct with Hammond)

Keep in mind you "play" this keyboard. You "ride" a real B-3. It just don't feel the same.

Composer, studio owner, former touring musician.

Playing Hammonds for 47 years. Rock

The key action of this instrument is noteworthy. The fully-polyphonic waterfall keys really have that authentic feel that nobody has been able to mimic until now. Hammond-Suzuki was bang on the money with the harmonic drawbar sounds. Although I have to say that when played through headphones or a keyboard amp, the balance and range is thrown off, but can be easily corrected with the extremely convenient built-in 'tone' setting that lets the player EQ the instrument right at the console for the desired sound. The key click is WAY better than on the Korg CX3, and really gives the illusion of that authentic 'growl' from the vintage B's.

The general setup of this instrument is brilliant in its simplicity and mimicry of the original hammond B. Everything is where it is supposed to be, and the feel is just so natural. If anything, this model has too many features. As a result, the menus are a bit crowded, and there is a lot of different settings to navigate. But for a real 'tweaker', the ability to edit every perameter of each of the 96 digital tonewheels (from key click to motor hum, etc) would definitely be a plus. Also, all of your custom presets and edited tonewheel sounds can be saved directly onto removable digital memory (not included of course!).

Like I said before, everything is where it should be. Nothing more need be said.

I have yet to come accross a problem with my hammond xk3. The wood finish is totally retro, and looks even better after it's got some nicks in it. It's reliable, plays right out of the case (even if its cold), and nothing seems cheap or loose or rattly. With the proper road/flight case, I have no reservations about taking it on the road.

Obviously, the price is higher than the Korg CX3, but in terms of value for money, the Hammond far surpasses any other clonewheel organ out there.

I have not dealt with Hammond-Suzuki, nor have I needed repairs, upgrades, or service.

The Hammond XK3 is the sexiest of all clonewheel organs by far. The reverse-color presets really add an edge both visually and functionally, which is something that doesn't even exist on the Roland or the Korg. The colors are totally retro, and the look is genius. It is something that would be functional on stage just as eye candy... it's that good!!

Active Musician

Jazz

Through my souped up Leslie 822 this thing screams. I A/B'd the XK and a 1961 B3 in the studio through a 122 and although there was the slightest difference in tonal qualities, every B or C3 I've played has sublte differences. Overall, it sounds great.

It is what it is;nothing but B3 sounds.

Tthe layout and userfriendliness is nice. If you want to edit things like the percussion, leslie parameters, etc. just hold the respective button down for 3 seconds and it shoots you to that edit page. Also nice that an 11-pin cable into a Leslie overrides everything and it acts just as it should. I added a half-moon switch which is a nice accessory.

I've heard some internet horror stories about the tube going out in the middle of a show and a high pitched squeal ensuing, but my friend at Seale Keyworks said he's yet to see one come in for that. In fact, he says he hasn't seen one come in yet.

It is pricier than the Roland, Korg, and similar systems, but none of those (including the XK2 and 1) come as close to the real thing as the XK3. I'm a touring musician, but until I have a tech with me everywhere I go, I just can't haul my B around. This is definitely the next best thing.

Not applicable yet. Hopefully won't ever be.

Although it's not a bad looking keyboard, it just doesn't have the sex appeal of the real thing, but that goes without saying.

Pro musician

Rock, alt-country, country

I absolutely love it. I play it throught the new Leslie 3300 and it is incredible. The leslie emulation is good but the real thing is so much better.

It is incredible how you can adjust just about anything you can think of... from the click sound to the wide variety of parameters with the on board effects... almost endless

midi features are a bit lacking when connecting to keyboard to use as lower manual

very good quality

a bit high priced but what would you expect?

I've already been told by many that they want it. nothing, other than the real thing, beats it on the market today. I gain respect just by pulling it out of the case... all I have to do is play it well!

Active Musician

blues and jazz

compared with everthing else on the market today i feel it is , hands down , the most authentic , expressive and musical b-3 clone around ,i play it through a usually through a leslie 2101 , it sounds good on stage , it sounds even better through a 122 . the action and the chorus vibrato could be a little better though

yea , i think it would have been neat if that octive of presets could double as active keys for when you,re using the keyboard to trigger other devices

i own a c-3 and an a-100 so it was no big deal setting up sounds , compared to my motif editing is a breeze , the manuel is worded a little strangly in places though

i,ve looked inside the thing and it,s put together really well , as far as road worthy goes that wood cabinet is going to take a few hits , i don,t think the wood is necessary it only ads considerably to the weight , i don,t need a wooden cabinet to make me feel like i,m playing on a hammond just give me that sound and that feel

for what it does it,s priced quite well against it,s rivals

i spoken with them a few times in the last couple of years and they,ve always been helpful

well look at it , it,s just like being home , is,nt it ?

active musician

blues ,gospel , a little bit of every thing

This is a Hammond clone built by Hammond. It sounds like a Hammond. It plays like a Hammond. Sounds great with a Mellotron.

Real drawbars. Reverb. Lots of preset slots. Excellent waterfall keys. Nice wood finish.

It's a Hammond.

It's more expensive than the other Hammond clones. It's also better.

Haven't needed service, but the dealer is the servicer and is the best in the business.

Stupid question. It doesn't have any "sex appeal". It looks like a Hammond.

Former professional, now a hobbyist.

Anything but disco and inner city trash like (c)rap.

It is a great clone, but not perfect. I can tell where the sample change on the keybaord and the upper octave loses the percussion as a result.

Loaded with features. I wish the transpose key system were different. It goes up or doen by a 6th and I'd like to be able to move some sounds up/down an octave to match the upper and lower manuals better.

The manual could be better but it is fairly intuitive

So far it is solid!

The main keyboard is fine but the lower, stand and pedals and bench are quite overpriced in my opinion, considering all the sounds are in the XK3.

I e-mailed Hammond with a question and they responded within 24 hours, quite reasonable.

It looks like the B3

professional musician, college music educator

R&B, Jazz, Blues

Unfreaking believable. 20 years seeking that B3 sound. This is better. Ive owned an XB2, ive played the xk1 and 2, and countless modules and clones. With all, at best they get "close" to that balls out B3 sound. Not the XK3. THIS IS IT. I can't believe this sound comes out of a digital keyboard. And it even has tubes for a perfect overdrive. LISTEN TO THIS: No organ player would want any other organ. It just freakin screams!!!!! Keyboard responsiveness is wonderful, jimmy smiths rattatats work perfectly. and the simulated leslie is fantastic!! i don't even know if i'll use my leslie 2101. THIS IS AN ABSOLUTELY INCREDIBLE ORGAN!!!! Thanks Hammond. YEA, I REALLY LIKE IT.

OK, it doesnt have sounds other than organ, but, its an organ.

Hey, its a B3. You have to get used to the presets and tablets, and some functions would be better served by a peddle. But, again, ITS A B3. And it actually does have some nice digital features like a recorder and customizable presets. Its all about the SOUND, man!!!

Well, I just got this XK-3. I had an XB2 for over ten years of pretty heavy road use, and it never missed a beat. It got dropped and broke a key once, but all that had to be replaced was the key. The XK3 looks and feels REALLY sturdy though. We'll see how the tubes hold up.

Quite frankly, its worth any price. The lower and other accessories ($600 for the stand?)should be cheaper though.

Never needed any.

Once you hear or play this, you would absolutely HAVE to own one. And listen, the XK-1 doesn't really come close.

Active Musician (re-entering after long hiatus.

Rock/blues/dead

I had problem with the expression pedal that was not recognised after 10 months of weekend use. More than one month to repair. I had problem with distortion from the leslie 122 had to replace the upper speaker..

price to high compare to product support.

poor response from the company.Slow service. Their internet mail is not working properly. I think they have no customer respect.

hobbyist

alternative

Good toneweel imitation ,but esagerate touch, good tube overdrive but not hide the electronic tone generation.

No accessory, needs only it's own expression pedal,it's price is a teafth!!

Looks good but the cabinet is a real Sh...! Wood like a bread, metallic pannel like a Coke can! Inside wires in mess and Sh... connections. Good only the light around the tube , lights to go bed!!

Roland VR 70 is the best value.

I hope to no have problems, inside only the cpu board is critical pice, all other is a Bull Sh..!

Looks like a child keyboard.

retire Musician

country pop

I just purchased a new Hammond XK3 for my 1st organ and simply love it! I have played the Korg CX3 a couple times and really liked it, but the XK3 seems to have a warmer more B3 like sound. I also increased the mic angle in the on board Leslie up to 180 degrees which made for a more stereophonic and realistic Leslie sound through my old EMF solid state twin 12" woofer amplifier. With the tubes burning on high, I pretty much nailed that sound in Green Eyed Lady by Sugarloaf, especially that dramatic incredible ending, now that's a feat only a Hammond can do.

Hobbyist

Rock, Jazz, Blues

It has a nice tone, but nothing is a B3, except a B3. A digital tonewheel is not the same as classic tonewheel. And nothing simulates a real leslie mic'd up properly. Fun toy, but my advice save up for the real thing, buy a chop if you have to, but a analog B3 is the way to go

I have it