Hammond B-3
Hammonds New B-3

We say:
Our thoughts

Hammond has been trying for many years to get this right, and has finally hit the right combination. The new B-3 has bus-bars for the keys which give it a real key-click, not a manufactured one, and the interface is perfect. The entire organ is a perfect replica of the orginal, every control that the classic B-3 has is the same button in the same place, the chorus/vibrato wheel, percussion controls, start/run switch, etc. There are no substitutions in this organ, only upgrades: (reverb, tone controls, etc) anyone who has played the original for years can sit down at this organ with no introduction. The tone generation is fantastic, and the designers paid attention to every detail. We have had no problems with this instrument and would recommend it above any other organ, it is our flagship model.

Hammond says:
Information from manufacturer

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.

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.