The Hammond Zone and Diversi
Yo Sup
people who lurk from the other groups and I invite you to passed this to the
Hammond Zone.
SPECIAL NOTE! To the members of this new group I am not trying to start a
flame war or trying to advertise. It is only to give the facts. Since the
Hammond Zone is sponsored by the Hammond Suzuki distributor in the UK he has
the ultimate control of his group. For the most part I find this group is
pretty civil and open minded.
I have been receiving a good bit of email from not only here in the USA but
from around the world - from both friends and even one foe. I would like to
set the record straight on a few things and if any one would like more
information or if you have comments please feel free to contact me at
in...@diversiorgan.com. or the email on this post.
Diversi Organ and VOCE "The Connection"
1. Dave Amels is one of the co-owners of the Voce sound engine. Many of you
know Dave, and he is a great person. VOCE pro-products are distributed by DR
Strings.
2. Dave and I (Tom Tuson) are partners in Diversi Musical Instruments, LLC.
We have known each other since about '91 or so when I met Dave at one of
Joey DeFrancesco's gigs in NYC. Even as competitors, at the time, I
respected what Dave was doing.
3. The name Diversi! As some may know VOCE means "voice" in Italian. When
trying to decide on a name for this new venture Dave and I wanted to show a
"different" side of Voce. So hence the name Diversi. In keeping with the
Italian vein, we chose Diversi because it translates, loosely in Italian, to
mean "different." Because the name VOCE is strong we started our advertising
with Diversi by VOCE. Also, the word "diversity" is close to Diversi. Many
of our customers call it the "Diversity Organ." Yes, the name is close to
Diversey, which most Hammond lovers know was part of the address of the old
Hammond Company - 4200 West Diversey Ave. In some small way, I would say it
is a complement to the original Hammond Company. But it really is the
"Different Voice"
4. Who makes the DV and DV-100! The Voce sound engine and Spin II as well as
the Pedals are made in the USA. The cabinet and some parts are made in
Italy. The keyboard is made by Fatar. It is made a little more heavy duty
for Gospel Organists as they do bang hard on the keyboards. The cabinet is
made in a town not far from Fatar. The factory that makes it is the SAME
company that makes cabinets for Korg and several other companies. There is a
person in Italy, who is a VOCE distributor, that over sees the manufacturing
there.
5. WERSI CONNECTION!!!!! THERE IS NONE!!!!
6. The Diversi Challenge... Well now! I have now seen several things that
are VERY wrong. HERE ARE THE FACTS. We used a stock B3 of about 1964-ish
vintage. We installed an 11 pin connector on it so that it would work with a
Model 771 Leslie. This is what was used during the Challenge. We tried using
an old style 122 but had several problems when switching from one organ to
the other. There where pops and hums that would be random during the first
testing. However, ALL of that stopped when we used the 771. So put it to
rest. If any of you know Lonnie Gasperini ask him, as he was at the
Challenge.
7. Eddie Howard and Mark Copeland. At the AIM convention in Baltimore, MD -
we used an old 122 as I didn't want to hear people say, "Gee what does it
sound like with TUBES?" Just goes to show you that you can't please
everyone.
8. Berklee College of Music, Boston. We took the Diversi there as well as a
MINT B3 with a 771 and old 122. We connected the DV to the 122 via an 1122
kit. The 771 was on the B3. During the 1st day of our week there, the organ
department staff tried both organs. They had us change the speakers back
and forth and THEY decided that they wanted to use the Diversi with the 771
for ALL of the concerts where a organ was to be used. Now, if any of you
have a problem with that, might I suggest that you contact Dave Limina (head
of the Jazz organ dept and author of a book on playing Hammond Organ), Jetro
Da Silva (keyboardist for Whitney Houston and many others) or Dennis
Montgomery, III (of Earth, Wind and Fire).
9. Hammond vs. the Clones! Some of you know I worked for Hammond Suzuki USA
and had a lot to do with the XB-2 up to and even including the NEW B-3. I am
proud of what I contributed to their products and I have a VERY deep respect
for Mr. Manji Suzuki for without him the Hammond name would have died and
been stuck on a toy organ made by some company that didn't care. I should
know as I WAS THERE when it almost happened. I didn't start Diversi to stick
it to someone nor to get even.
What Diversi is about is CHOICE. If you have a chance ask a Hammond ORGAN
Dealer here in the USA who they sell ORGANS to, and not portables and sound
modules.
I guess what I am saying is rather then guessing about things, I invite you
to contact Dave Amels or me. WE HAVE NOTHING TO HIDE!
One more thing... I haven't heard any questions about the SpinTone ST71?
Sincerely and respectfully,
Diversi by Voce
Tom Tuson
Yo Sup
1. For the GMWA, AMI and Diversi Challenge we used a Canon GL-1 Digital
Video camera with nothing but the microphone on the camera. No mixers were
used.
2. Berklee used a mixing board then to tape.
3. As to the clicking on the Eddie Howard video. Look at his finger nails...
Some of the clicking is nails on the plastic.
4. Most everyone that is dissing the Diversi hasn't even played one. I
realize that sound is a personal choice but to NOT have played one and just
basing it on the net is not reliable. You really need to try it.
Also, I think it is very ironic as to what some people say they go through
to get a sound. Like; I got me an XYZ keyboard with an ABC preamp then
something or other thing then I put that into a 122 changed to have a slow
crank down and so on.
You try it before you pass judgment. Sound is personal and it is something
that most of you will agree is VERY hard to quantify.
Respectfully,
Tom Tuson
BiG dAvE
> Also, I think it is very ironic as to what some people say they go through
> to get a sound. Like; I got me an XYZ keyboard with an ABC preamp then
> something or other thing then I put that into a 122 changed to have a slow
> crank down and so on.
>
> You try it before you pass judgment. Sound is personal and it is something
> that most of you will agree is VERY hard to quantify.
>
> Respectfully,
>
> Tom Tuson
Tom, I agree wholeheartedly!!! What I think is the perfect sound and what
others think is the perfect sound, will probably be different things! We are
supposed to be artists. No two artists paint alike do they? As should be
sounds. I believe that the different tonal qualities are our canvases. We
all have different ears and personal preferences. Sometimes i enjoy another
artist's sound and try to recreate it, but I have found over the years that
even when you try to duplicate another's sound... it is still personalized
by our ears, style of playing, and just gut feelings. We are all
individuals... and thank God for that. After all it is this individuality
that makes any art what it is.... Music could get damned boring if we all
heard the same things in our head??
I am glad to hear that you are a big part of two very worthwhile projects.
Give me the raw sounds and I will tweak them as I will to my own
preferences. Just put me in the ballpark Tom... I'll take it from there!
Keep up the good work!!!
BiG dAvE
Yo Sup
news:btn6r...@enews2.newsguy.com...
Yes sound is a personal choice... However, there is a point of over doing
it, at least I think. I have been around some pros, like Joey, and watch
them fall in love with a certain B or C or A100 and then go back after 2
maybe 3 weeks and they fall in love with something else. I have personally
watched Joey change his sound in the past years. But be that as it may we
all want what we want. But to put something DOWN without playing it first.
Also, I found that it takes more then one visit to really GET to know an
instrument.
You are correct about taking the raw sound and then going from there...
That's what I did when I played out, teaked my B3 till I got what I wanted.
How many be say the love the B3... Give me a model A changed out with new
style drawbars and Trek II, Reverb and Percussion and I am happy as can be.
I really love the deeper sound, but it isn't for everyone as some people
think that a model A isn't a REAL Hammond Sound.
Wheel on and on,
Tom
BiG dAvE
> Thanks Dave!
>
> Yes sound is a personal choice... However, there is a point of over doing
> it, at least I think. I have been around some pros, like Joey, and watch
> them fall in love with a certain B or C or A100 and then go back after 2
> maybe 3 weeks and they fall in love with something else. I have personally
> watched Joey change his sound in the past years. But be that as it may we
> all want what we want. But to put something DOWN without playing it first.
> Also, I found that it takes more then one visit to really GET to know an
> instrument.
I agree with you Tom!! Hey, as I was saying we are artists are we not? I
think that part of being an artist is being constantly stimulated with new
sounds or even a slightly different sound. A simple nuance between
instruments can be stimulating. How many guitarists have only one guitar?
I'm sure you catch my drift. I still wish i still had my old M3... It may
not have been a B but it was a great little meat and potatoes sound for a
hammond through a Leslie 122a. I was happy with the sound. But, I always
wished I could afford the, as you say, 'deepness' of the full keyboard of
the B series. I call it a 'thicker' sound. Personally, it was Greg Allman
that turned me on to the B3... I liked 'his' sound... I also liked Greg
Rolie from Santana... for two guys who in those days only played the
organ... I just loved what they did. Yep, i was hooked! For a young kid at
that time that was trained as a classical pianist... I fell in love with the
Hammond! Well, a Hammond with a leslie that is! The rotating horn just
caught my ears... I paid $800 for my M3 and $750 for the Leslie 122a back
then. I thought I got a good deal. Back then a brand new Fender Rhodes
suitcase cost $700. Boy how times have changed.... Even tweaking the Rhodes
was a chore, but i finally got it to sound the way I wanted it. A
Phaselinear Phase 100 did the trick to the piano... <smiles> But, I was my
own person... I would try different things weekly. Just go to the local
music store and borrow things to try... It was continual experimentation.
And no two people are alike!
> You are correct about taking the raw sound and then going from there...
> That's what I did when I played out, teaked my B3 till I got what I
wanted.
> How many be say the love the B3... Give me a model A changed out with new
> style drawbars and Trek II, Reverb and Percussion and I am happy as can
be.
> I really love the deeper sound, but it isn't for everyone as some people
> think that a model A isn't a REAL Hammond Sound.
> Tom
As I said above.... I used to call it 'thicker' or 'fatter' sound. I would
gladly purchase a model A if I could find one that I could afford!! Then put
the same add-ons as you mentioned, when I could afford them. Actually I like
the smaller footprint of the model A as well. Hey if it has the full
compliment of tonewheels it's a Hammond! But, that is my opinion too!
Probably more raw than the later models i would assume. Again, just MHO!
(Hell, since when have I been humble?) <snicker><laffs>
BiG dAvE
Skip
>2. Dave and I (Tom Tuson) are partners in Diversi Musical Instruments, LLC.
>We have known each other since about '91 or so when I met Dave at one of
>Joey DeFrancesco's gigs in NYC. Even as competitors, at the time, I
>respected what Dave was doing.
It is amazing to me you put it together. Congratulations and thanks
for telling about it.
Skip
A100,122,VK7
Yo Sup
Tom
"Skip" <pri...@private.org> wrote in message
news:mshuvvgkjp05c5loq...@4ax.com...
Tony
from amho with great 'fondness'(?) ) just posted calling them all (Hammond
Zone members) "idiots and drunks" and they are no match for Hamtech the real
list <paraphrased>. I started read-only, from time to time, the list
lately. Moderator popped in to threaten his membership.
Tony
Frank Harding
He's already gone. And who cares?
Check the headers tony! Have Fun (;
Tony
> He's already gone. And who cares?
>
> Check the headers tony! Have Fun (;
It is news, this is a newsgroup and forum, and is *funny* especially to
veterans who know most of the personalities who can relate. But I know what
you mean.
Tony
Peter D Abrams
No. It's humor to you, because you seem to think that some guy who
actually gave the zone a piece of his mind, and was bombasted by the
very idiots that frustrated him so. The Hammond_Zone is full of idiots.
Chris Clifton and Darren try their best, but it's a Yahoo Group. 1700
members, last I looked. Don's observations were spot on.
I still find this all very amusing that you have this mindset of
refusing to join any "moderated" list. Somehow that unjoins your freedom
to be a wildmouthed badass opinionated prick with less sense than God
gave a frog's green ass.
But in reality, you're just a guy who has a lot to say, and while it is
all trivial, and very debatable. It don't matter.
Why?
Cuz you were largely responsible for Don Ericson's un-dropping of
cross-posts to this usenet thing. Had it gone on, several hundreds of
folks would have found this place, and we could have kept the faith.
As it is, it's the Tony Show. And as far as I and many others are
concerned, you can continue to blather your face off for as long as you
wish. Talk about all the other subscribe lists as long as you want. How
you don't believe in them, but you monitor them like a hawk, and jump
out here and report on all the gossip. a Hippo? Totally.
Totally fuckin Pitiful. Get a Life? Ring a Bell?
We'll read it, but this place will never get any contributions from
reputable techs unless you just shut the fuck up.
Dig?
out doin real things,
HL
Tony
No reason to respond, his nickname that stuck, 'Pissy Boy' says it all.
But nevertheless,
'Pissy Boy' Abrams
>The Hammond_Zone is full of idiots.
>Chris Clifton and Darren try their best, but it's a Yahoo Group
No they are not. I happen to join that list as a read only a short time ago.
They seem to me like a nice group of people. I think they are a "hell of of
a lot better" than motherfucker's like you who hang out on Hamtech with your
little cliques and their 'do nothing machines' their finely tweaked Hammond
organs though 90 percent could not get through a 12 bars blues in the key of
C, including YOU asshole. I am glad their are lists like the Hammond Zone
without your pompous bullshit that you post back and forth to each other.
>you just shut the fuck up.
You make me. You are the kind of guy who is really brave on the Internet and
a pussy face to face.
I think you are an asshole to call a hole body "full of idiots" of 1500
people on Hammond Zone. I think that is evident.
Tony
Organfreak
<pdab...@ix.netcom.com> wrote:
>We'll read it, but this place will never get any contributions from
>reputable techs unless you just shut the fuck up.
I thought I was a tech of some repute in my area, but I didn't say
what KIND of repute.
-OF
Skip
<hammondeerN...@yahoo.com> wrote:
>'Pissy Boy' Abrams
>
>>The Hammond_Zone is full of idiots.
>>Chris Clifton and Darren try their best, but it's a Yahoo Group
>You make me. You are the kind of guy who is really brave on the Internet and
>a pussy face to face.
A big pussy. I hereby then rename Pissy Boy PUSSY BOY!!! Laughing my
big fat diabetic ass off. What a jerk off.
Now let's be nice.
Skip
A100,122,VK7
Tony
>reputable techs
For some reason you think *commercial* techs should be posting free
information? And in a public newsgroup?
I could give a shit how many "reputable", I guess that means commercial,
techs post here. First of all it is stupid (not talking about the informed
hobbyists or people that do 'side jobs', but current commercial techs) to
be on forums giving away information *for free*. It fact from a
businessman's point of view it is *totally idiotic* and could be answering
a person ready to send in a piece for commercial service. I have always
thought the *commercial* tech shop people posting how to fix their Hammond
for free is TOTALLY IDIOTIC . . . but nice . . basically has
just cut someone out of their living doing what they do in whatever area the
info goes!! (speaking of idiots)
Secondly, 95 percent or more of players have perfectly working Hammonds or
clones though some want to learn to fix them. That is fine.*There is a
GREATER problem on HOW TO PLAY the friggin' thing* The routine maintenance
is easy. So, a problem not easy to fix, the person not tech savvy spends
one year 200 dollars on service to an instrument, maybe the next year 300,
that can go easily 10 years with only oiling. . .So what. . . .
The people hung up on fixing, fixing, fixing, fixing and learning to fix
more are *nowhere* if not involved in the rigors of playing, unless they
want to be tech themselves. I ran a Hammond B3 for years, 5 nights a week,
as a kid, never touched it except oil it. .
What is the most important info on forums that is hardly ever discussed, is
how to make the Hammond organ or clone *NOT* 'a do nothing machine'. .
. I repeat, *NOT* a do nothing machine* because like exercise equipment THAT
IS WHAT IT IS most of the time!! . but a finely tweaked one...lmao!
. . with these clowns hung up on tweaking and tweaking and tweaking it
and not playing it. Like fixing TVs that can't be watched.
The overwhelming percentage of people posting and interested mainly in the
tech posts and 'Joe Solder' can't play his way out of a paper bag, at best
hold simple chords in a rock band.. . there are exceptions . . 1.
generally can't even read music 2. certainly no one would be interested in
hearing them play it. So, *the real value in posts* is *how to play*,
unfortunately, that is harder to discuss. On a higher lever, advanced
players can discuss art, but rarely anything useful is around.
If there were a private forum of pro or accomplished players, perhaps with a
couple 'name' players, even 5 or 10, discussing and dedicated to discuss
*art*, music, arrangement, jazz lines, techniques, registrations - I would
pay $$$$$$ to be on that list. Does not exist. They generally stay off the
forums. So I guess I will have to read the tech posts *for free.* . thank
you very much.
I even put up some transpositions. Let's see *your* transpositions, Abrams.
Mine are perfect. My guess you don't know a minor ninth from a coal minor.
. . . Abrams, you don't have a clue, yet you pompously post with a
prick attitude.. I say. . *YOU* . . don't hide.. . *Post some
of your playing* . I just posted (though not meant to be a playing file) my
playing showing a clone scanner sound. And if you can't play, why do you
bother.
. . .dream on, pal.
Tony
BiG dAvE
to maintain or learn how to maintain their organs. It is also here for
people who would like to learn new techniques to play... You should not be
dictating on here who is more or less important to post here, by what you
conceive to be their levels of talent? If you don't like things.... then
don't come here okay? You do post some interesting ideas but in general i
think people are getting fed up with your trying to enforce your feelings
upon the general readership here! I agree with Abrahms... in your mind, this
is the Tony show!! I believe that you must have gigabytes of saved email
from various groups probably dating back at least 10 years? This is
obsessive my friend. It sounds to me like a mental illness...
I am glad that people are finally starting to stand up to you! You are a
sicko at times dude.... so take you and your alter ego 'Skip' and go away!!
Man... you are something else! So when and if I ever figure out what that
is... I will let you know. Perhaps, someone else will tell you sooner! Go
wipe your hard drives!
BiG dAvE
"Tony" <hammondeerN...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:e6e64b318fb61272...@news.teranews.com...