Yes, it's true. Classical organists who are used to playing on pipe organs generally hate the Hammonds. Why? Well here are ten reasons (in no particular order)~:
-# The flat 25-pedal clavier was
nonstandard and limiting.
Classical organs have 32 concave radiating pedals that are far easier to play, and that are in a standard layout (though U.S. and European standards are different).
The concave design makes it easier to reach pedals at the ends of the pedalboard, especially for organists of smaller build.
Some classical literature requires the additional pedals, which extend the top of the pedalboard range from C to G.
The pedalboard is probably the biggest practical problem for classical organists playing Hammonds. The
RT-3 had
a full 32-note, concave radiating AGO-standard keyboard
, but
these are rare, and not especially sought after due to their unbelievable weight
.
+# The flat 25-pedal clavier is
nonstandard and limiting.
+
Classical organs have 32 concave radiating pedals that are far easier to play,
+
and that are in a standard layout (though U.S. and European standards are different).
+
The concave design makes it easier to reach pedals at the ends of the pedalboard,
+
especially for organists of smaller build.
+
Some classical literature requires the additional pedals, which extend the top of the pedalboard
+
range from C to G.
+
The pedalboard is probably the biggest practical problem for classical organists playing Hammonds.
+ If Hammond would have extended the pedalboard up to D, instead of C, the entire organ literature,
+ up to the 19th Century, could be played on the Hammond organ.
+
+ Several Hammond models (including the
RT-3 and D-100) are equipped with
a full 32-note, concave radiating
+
AGO-standard pedal clavier.
+ In general
, these models
are somewhat
rare, however (due to their larger size
and weight) they are
not
+
especially sought after, and can often be had relatively cheaply
.
# Most Hammonds have the unique reverse-color preset keys or theatre organ-like flip tab stops. To a classical organist, the preset keys are an unnatural abomination. Pipe organs have push-buttons between the manuals and toe studs for presets, and have drawknobs or tabs for individual stops. On pipe organs, the presets can be adjusted by the organist to activate and retire different stops; on a Hammond, they can only be adjusted from inside the rear panel.
# Hammonds have drawbars to mix the organs harmonics together.
