Best Unit for Organ Sounds?

Chris Bauer · From: Nashville, TN USA

I have some shows coming up where I'll need to cover some organ parts as best as I can. I know that the B9 is kinda the standard at this point but I can't say I love it. Anyone have suggestions for other units to try? (The sounds I'll need are mostly in the 'Farfisa' type zone but some jazzy B3 sounds could also be helpful. I don't need pipe organs and the like.)

Thoughts?

Dave Grafe · From: Hudson River Valley NY

I prefer the Elektro-Harmonix C9 myself, particularly if I am covering organ parts

K Maul · From: Hadley, NY/Hobe Sound, FL

Try an organ.
Ok…Chris and I are ol’ buddies.
I like the C9 also but you have to keep it simple and grab the correct voicings.
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Dennis Detweiler · From: Solon, Iowa, US

I had a C9, but sold it in preference to the B9.
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Charlie Thompson · From: South Carolina, USA

Chris I suggest a B9 or C9 and a Leslie simulator. Changing speeds is a big part of the sound.
You will want a control out jack. I use a Leslie Half Moon Switch attached with Velcho to my steel with a Neo Ventilator II

Richard Sinkler · From: aka: Rusty Strings -- Missoula, Montana

I had a B9 and couldn't get rid of it fast enough. Hated it!
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Larry Allen · From: Kapaa, Kauai,Hawaii

using an Alexis Midiverb4 for 40 years, several organs with Leslie on off wrist switch Oh Well

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Dennis Detweiler · From: Solon, Iowa, US

I have two complaints about the B9. The highs are hard to contain which led me to use my compressor to balance the signal. The other complaint I have with the B9 is too much reverb is programmed into selection #8. However, I can live with the reverb in a live setting. I only found #3 and #8 to my liking. I don't care for the other 6 selections. I found nothing in the C9 that tripped my trigger.
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1976 Birdseye U-12 MSA with Telonics 427 pickup, 1975 Birdseye U-12 MSA with Telonics X-12 pickup, Boss 59 Fender pedal for preamp, NDR-5 Atlantic Delay & Reverb, two Quilter 201 amps, 2- 12" Eminence EPS-12C speakers, ShoBud Pedal, 1949 Epiphone D-8. Revelation preamp into a Crown XLS 1002 power amp.

Chris Bauer · From: Nashville, TN USA

Thanks, all, for the replies so far. Keep 'em coming.

As far as the rotary part, I have that covered.

I'm specifically looking for a pedal as opposed to a rack unit and if there's something outside of the Electro-Harmonix world, I'd be especially interested in hearing about it.

Tim Whitlock · From: Colorado, USA

I like to emulate a Farfisa with pedal steel in my surf band. I tried the C9 pedal and found it sounded too processed and artificial. I've been using this cheap Sonicake Dimensions pedal and found it sounds very close on the "Blue Vibe" setting, which is basically a pitch shifting vibrato with a hint of modulation.

Here's a track from the CD where I use the effect. Comes in on the 2nd verse.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZVU1xkD2aKo

johnnyb · From: Wendell, NC, USA

Electro-Harmonix POG2 - not easy to dial in, but really versatile. sounds great if you get it right.
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Frank Freniere · From: The First Coast

The Boss Sy-1 synth pedal has a couple of nice cheesy, roller-rink organ sounds.

Dan Kelly · From: Boston, MA

A little hard to find... especially at a reasonable price but the Hughes & Kettner Tube Rotosphere II is the best I have heard. Having lived with it for about a year, it has really grown on me. I have an appointment with my primary care physician to deal with that growth... but more on that later.

There are two on Reverb.com right now... but not what I would consider reasonably priced.

Here is a YT video (not a particularly good one, but short) of the pedal through a PSG set up.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CNjZ5z6ZjoQ&ab_channel=SammyBones
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Chris Brooks · From: Providence, Rhode Island

Yes, Dan, I love the Rotosphere too. But even used they are well north of $400!

Michael Hartz · From: Decorah, Iowa, USA

Take a look at the boss SY-1 pedal. It can do B3 organ and a heck of a lot more. Pretty sure you’ll find something on there that you like.

Mike Bacciarini · From: Arizona

Hey Chris, this link takes you to a post on my PSG/B3 journey. Includes discussion of FX, technique, etc. Have fun on your own journey!

https://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=384121&highlight=journey

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Dave Grafe · From: Hudson River Valley NY

Here's an earful of an Emmons PP through a C9 taken directly into the mixer. I especially love the way it tails out at the end, reminds me of smoky dark blues clubs in the 1970's...

https://youtu.be/CZSL1Z2JWcg?si=FG0Z_LMI6petPiaH

Steve Lipsey · From: Portland, Oregon, USA

Then there's the "nobody'll know the difference, pretty much" way I use...somewhat like a skating rink organ...plus, tiny...and does other things too...

the mini one is fine, but full-size one has a sub-octave also and a downloadable organ patch...
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Ken Metcalf · From: San Antonio Texas USA

I used to use a B9 and LEX but was too glitchy.
Now I just use the LEX with the tone dialed back a hair.

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James Gooch · From: New Jersey, USA

For what its worth, I get some pretty good sounds from my Line 6 Helix FX. I like it better than the B9

John Poston · From: Albuquerque, NM, USA

I was liking the B9 pedal well enough with the rotary simulator in the Zoom MS-50 pedal.

Recently though my main pedalboard power went down and I could only use the MS-50 rotary. In a live setting I feel it was decent enough and people commented positively on the organ sound. Thinking of ditching the B9 and freeing up the pedalboard space.

Mitchell Smithey · From: Dallas, USA

I’ve been using a Walrus Audio M-1 pedal for rotary sounds with good results, plus you get lots of other modulation algorithms. It does the speed ramp thing well.

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