Hammond M-Solo
Several decades ago I owned a Hammond organ. I loved the sound that held it’s own against any rock instrument including the guitarist who’d found volume 11 on his amp way before anyone else had.
My dislikes despite the sound were the size and weight of the instrument that combined two keyboards and a pedal board plus an external amp, latterly a Leslie speaker. If space was tight it often took myself and the rest of the band to move it out of the van and onto the stage (never famous enough to afford roadies). Most of us stood gasping for breath after the struggle. All to be repeated post the gig. Ownership of the mighty Hammond also demanded the use of a van as it wasn’t going to slot into the back of even the largest car
Enter the Hammond M-Solo, it weighs 8 pounds and I can carry under my arm. Despite it’s comparatively small size it has ‘that’ Hammond sound that brought a smile to my face as soon as I pressed the first note.
I suspect that many potential buyers might be like myself. Ex Hammond owners who sold their kit for lighter gear back in the 80’s but quite fancy enjoying that Hammond sound again despite the many excellent emulations that are out there.
For the Hammond purists I’m sure there’ll be a wish list such as adding a waterfall keyboard, but each item that you add would increase the cost and also the weight in the case of a waterfall keyboard.
For me it’s got drawbars, an all important distortion control and the supplied keyboard is quite happy for me to do palm slides up and down its length. Sure I have my own wish list but I researched the keyboard for many months and must have watched every You-Tube video many times over before I purchased.
Strangely it’s available in four colours. All are quiet subtle, a racing green Hammond anyone
There’s no getting away from the cost, it’s pricey and here in the UK it’s just under £1000.00 once you’ve include delivery. But It’s a niche instrument and doesn’t enjoy the volume of sales that might lower the cost.
The M-Solo sits nicely on top of a larger keyboard that I have and whilst the music charts aren’t full of organ recordings it has proved popular so far with those that hear it.
There’s much more to the M-Solo than the few features I’ve mentioned here including synth and string sounds. One essential I would suggest would be to purchase a volume/expression pedal to use with it, they’re inexpensive but a must for any organist.
The M-Solo has filled a gap in my keyboard line up and the sound has brought back happy memories as I’ve started recalling a few old tunes and licks
I play it most days and it still puts a smile on my face, worth every penny
