Anyone got any tips for achieving a decent Hammond organ sound with a Harmonica? From what I can gather I need a rotary Leslie pedal like the Strymon Lex coupled with either a EHX POG or a EHX B9/C9? Alternatively some folks out there suggest combining octave and chorus pedals. I trust Lone Wolf products so I could get two new pedals from them (octave + Chorus) but I'm assuming this wouldn't be as good as a the Strymon Lex/POG/C9 set up as these are made specifically for Leslie/Organ sounds? I'm looking for the simplest set up with the least amount of pedals and fuss. I currently use an Ultimate 57 with a lone wolf Harp Break and Reverb through an old silver face Champ. Any advice would be greatly appreciated
This one might do it. https://reverb.com/p/neo-instruments-ventilator?hfid=13527008&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=2058510199&merchant_id=134554714&utm_content=917284685968&gclid=Cj0KCQjwyJn5BRDrARIsADZ9ykG1FwCzBeKiwTECHk7jwSL5lzlW1pGs8VNK7kz1OWp2i00L6CQHQY0aAmK3EALw_wcB It was mentioned by a player a couple of years back.
Cheapest solution is to work on playing octaves on diatonic and on chromatic. Also, learn to pulse your breath from your diaphragm and alter speed while playing those octaves.
With guitars and harps I have yet to hear any effects unit sound just like an organ when actually playing throughout a song, especially on solos.
Brief fills can sound OK with pedals and roughly approximate it. The chords and notes played on a B3 are very difficult to replicate on guitar or harp, and to really sound like an organ you have to learn to play those notes.
Why not sound like a harmonica and change your articulation, embouchure, and airflow to get different effects by using playing techniques? ----------
I have a Zoom MS-70 multi-effects pedal that has a rotary function and dual outputs. I've been meaning to try that out, plugged into 2 amps to see how it sounds. I'll have to get back to y'all on that.
To my ears, playing octaves wouldn't be a solution to sound close to an organ, it sounds close to a horn section to me. That rotary sound is very different from vibrating reeds. A "side flutter" (moving tongue side to side) could get a similiar, but poor effect (thinking about organ sound), but dougharps ir right about about the chords, that's crucial about organ sound
@LFLISBOA You are right, at times harmonica octaves can sound like a horn section if you play clean octaves.
When I play without pedals to a PA I vary my thinking from horn lines to organ fills using octaves and sometimes breath pulsing in addition to single notes and chords. When I mentioned octaves above I was neglected to mention I often do this using keyed chromatics in 3rd with some use of the chromatic chord sound mixed with octaves.
This would not fool anyone about there being an actual B3 organ, but it is a good effect worth learning for accompaniment. Musicians and audience members appreciate something different, and these are technique based, not gear based. It is playing harmonica as though it was a horn section or an organ, not trying to accurately replace an organ.
Even with various "organ" pedals I have heard played by good guitar players who have learned to play chords like a B3 there is always something missing from a true B3 sound, though it comes close. With a harmonica using "organ" pedals, if you bend a note or chord it may sound like a synth using a pitch wheel for portamento effect, but to me it doesn't sound like the classic B3 sound.
This is why I said, "Why not sound like a harmonica..." ----------
The Carey bell method was playing the 16 hole chrom with octaves (he didn’t seem to use the slider) through a Leslie cabinet. So it’s technique and a leslie pedal emulator if you like his tone. Nice playing Diggs.
@Diggs Your playing is always great! I would love to hear that effect with you playing chromatic. In 3rd position you can use those nasty chords like what I sometimes hear on a B3. In other positions/keys on chromatic you might be more limited to single octave note lines, lacking the chords. Still, the B9 is a nice pedal. A guitar player I know uses one sometimes.
@sonvolt I have a friend who once used 2 Leslie style cabs for harp. Loading in and out was a hassle! He started using a pedal except for outdoors or big rooms.
He doesn't use chromatic, so while it was a cool effect it didn't really emulate a B3 organ sound.
Every time I start using pedals or multi-effects units for my gigs I return to the KISS principal.
I tend to return to playing clean, or just with a tube amp. Maybe sometimes I add reverb and/or delay. Usually I go back to clean or tube amp, depending on the gig. ----------
@LFLISBOA Great video link with the most convincing use of pedal combinations I have ever heard!
It shows really good harp technique utilizing those pedals, too!
If you are in a band that is widely eclectic in instrumentation and genres, and you want to be able to replicate different instruments with effects pedals, then that pedal board would be the way to go.
I would speculate that there is well over a grand in pedals on that board. Since I usually play in genres in which harp can work with minimal effects, I will continue as I have been with few or no pedal effects, just technique effects. The gig money I was getting prior to Covid would not justify the expense of those pedals given the very intermittent use I would make of those pedals.
But if your goal is to be able to sound like many other instruments, it is fine to go ahead and invest and then put in the time to learn to use them.
Also, don't forget the Lekholm DM48. I haven't heard a good organ patch yet, but I am amazed by what it can do.
However, if I have not previously made it evident, I like the sound of harmonica! ----------
Doug S.
Last Edited by dougharps on Aug 03, 2020 1:07 PM
I did saw Jason Keene "Drive-In" video before. It took me some time to figure the guitar sound was coming from DM48. I'm sure it is great, but never tried one or ever saw live. :)
And all you need to own one is $735, plus you need synthesizer software, a computer to plug into and chrom skills. Or you could get up to 15 new diatonics. Hm-m-m-m-m-m.
Last Edited by Raven on Aug 04, 2020 6:31 AM
If you are a strong chromatic player and "are in a band that is widely eclectic in instrumentation and genres, and you want to be able to replicate different instruments" then the DM48 might be for you.
The DM48 is not for me, just as investing in expensive pedals for the purpose of imitation of instruments is not for me.
I keep coming back to the fact that I really like the sound of harmonica in music. Harmonica is not suited for playing on everything (especially playing blues on everything!), but if used with taste and restraint harmonica can play a positive role in a wide range of music.
Back on topic, the link posted by LFLISBOA above of [thanks for the correction from Gnarly] Jackson Kincheloe demonstrating his pedal board is the best organ imitation on harp I have ever heard. Here it is, embedded.
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Doug S.
Last Edited by dougharps on Aug 04, 2020 12:29 PM
Jackson (he appreciates it!) is in a band with his sister, looks like she just had a baby. https://wskg.org/arts/sister-sparrow-the-dirty-birds-tiny-desk-concert/ So his side project (The Ghost of Paul Revere) might be his main focus these days.
For the least expensive and versatile organ/rotary sound get the Peavey Max 100 Effects Processor. https://peavey.com/manuals/80301573.pdf Lots of chorus and rotary options. Rotary speed can be changed on the fly and speed ramps up or down just like a Leslie. Has an earphone jack so you don't need an amp to experiment dialing in your sound. Presets allow you to store parameters. 4 other effects are also available to blend with the rotary and chorus. The analog preamp is handy with earphones, but I bypass it when plugged into an amp. Since it is discontinued, it can be found used for less than $100.
I have a B9 havn't used in awhile. It was hard to tell when I tested octave splits on it ----Bcuz no matter how much dry u take out of mix u stil l hear your harmonica.
When time allows Im gonna record my tests so I cant hear my harp. In other words, Isolate the organ sound in recording. Recording will allow to hear what FOH hear.
At any rate heres one on "you Tube"---- some one may have already posted this---its not me---just a post of someone else
