Crumar Mojo Suitcase

Ich habe die Orgel für eine (Hard)rock band angeschafft. Weiters spiele ich nicht täglich und auf der Bühne war das Instrument auch (noch) nie - das wird also keine Profi-Bewertung sondern eher eine Bestandsaufnahme (...vor den ersten Feuertaufen).
Das Ding macht Spaß und gefällt einfach - die Verarbeitung ist so, dass man dem Hersteller jahrzehntelange Erfahrung unterstellen kann, schlussendlich merkt man aber auch den sehr günstigen Preis an kleinen Details (etwa am etwas grobkantigen Deckel). Die Tastatur spielt sich gut, ob Sie Keith Emerson Attacken (Messer usw) lange Paroli bieten könnte wage ich zu bezweifeln. Vielleicht fehlt der Orgel aber einfach noch das Bühnenflair (es ist im Gegenteil ja noch der penetrante "Frisch-ab-Werk" Geruch dran und da ist man vielleicht generell noch etwas vorsichtiger?)
Die 17 oder 18 kg können dank den Griffen (bzw. der Aussparung im Deckel) zu zweit mühelos getragen werden. Ist man alleine geht mir eine cleverere Lösung (etwa Griff mittig) aber ab.
Wer sich für das Suitcase Design entscheidet, ist vielleicht auch durch die etwas beengten Verhältnisse li und re neben den Tastaturen beim spielen eingeschränkt.
Aber zurück zum Spaß - einfach sehr coole Optik und intuitive Bedienung. Über Hammond Sounds wurden bereits Bücherregale gefühlt - schlussendlich ist es subjektiv. Ich kannte einen älteren NORD Elektro und eine noch ältere Hammond XB-2 (mit Venti Effekt) - beide auf Ihre Art sehr gut - aber die Crumar hält (auf Ihre Art) auch mit. Das 2-Manual Feeling kommt einfach sehr gut! Wer den Jon Lord in sich herauf beschwören möchte, hätte wohl gerne mehr Overdrive (wie sie etwa Nord bietet). Allerdings kommt es dabei auch auf die "richtige" Chorus Einstellung an habe ich herausgefunden! Hall und Percussion Einstellungen sind sehr gelungen. Auch die Vibrato&Chorus Palette ist interessant. Den Leslie schaltet man besser per Fuß, da ist die On/Off Taste (ober dem oberen Manual) ungünstig platziert ist.
Es gibt Preset A, B und manual (Zugriegeleinstellungen) pro Manual. Da die 3 Knöpfe für unten und oben spiegelverkehrt angeordnet sind, ist die jeweils richtige Wahl gewöhnungsbedürftig. A und B zu editieren und abzuspeichern ist mir auch (noch) nicht gelungen.
Fazit: Das Geld ist die Orgel allemal wert - sollte ich das nach ersten Bühnenerfahrungen revidieren müssen gebe ich Bescheid ;-)

Yes, it worth the money and seems more stable than the old mojo.

For the sound, it's good and bad! The sound is soulful and have the tube feel, but if you looking for a thing that perfectly copy the sound of the vintage hammond it's not the best choice. However, it's a good sounding instrument that combine the Hammond tone with some Crumar color, and it's sound good on stage!

For the keybed, it is very smooth that even smoother than the origional Hammond. Some action that will be lead to a wrong note on the real Hammond, but on the Mojo Suitcase it is easier to play so the wrong note is gone! The good thing is on stage, it make you play better. But for practice this can be dangerous that if you only practice on the new mojo you may end up play lots of wrong note on a real hammond or even other clones! (I prefer the Viscount Legend keybed)
At first i think it's the keybed too soft, but than i found its not the keybed. I connect to Hammond B3-X pluins and the keybed feel soild now. So i realize its the vitual multi-contact, the vitual multi-contact make the key too senitive that the sensor is set too high! (That remind me the keybed of my Hammond B3p MK2, same problem)
I will be happy if there will be an update to adjust the vitual multi contact or even turn it off.

Anotheer thing i don't like is the "Lock" for the lid under the lower manual, it always starch my hand when i play the Funky style bass line which i will randomly hit on the wood under the lower manual to make special "POP" sound effect...now i cannot play that on the mojo.....I tried to remove the lock but i found i cannot remove that easily. (Have to disassemble the whole organ to remove!) So for the Organist who play TONY MONACO style dont buy the suitcase, get the MOJO classic!

Finally i would like to compare with the Viscount Legend
Sound: Legend sound more soild, but Mojo is mroe expressive.
Control : Legend is the clear winner, it got 4 set of drawbars and the preset swith is at the left side.
Portablitiy: Mojo is way lighter than my Legend Live (though the spec said that both organs are 18kg, but that are not the same).....So for simply setup mojo suitable is superb. But whenever you add more stuff mojo need more cables when compare the Legend. The pedalboard need a power adaper(legend have a phantom power thing for pedal), the Leslie swith(Legend and Legend live do not need a cable)....and the 11pin is a pain on Mojo. You need to but the mojo eleven which i dont care the extra money but the connection need more cable! (a jack, a midi, another power adapter)...
Look: i am the fans of the mojo at this part

The discussion about Hammond clones will never end. Much comes down to playing style and taste.

I have a MAG C2, which is wonderful and refined, but needed a second organ, for back-up, and to keep my options open.

I have had the Mojo Suitcase for about half a year, and so far it holds its own.

I shyed away from the Crumar Mojo earlier, because of the control layout of previous models. But the new series is different, with no controls on the top surface - and I love the suitcase version for its firm cover, and the cut-outs for easy handling. For my need, and because of the cover, I just have the dedicated soft bag. Works well, and saves on weight, compared to a flight case.

I am a fairly heavy-handed blues organ player, but also employ some delicate playing. This organ does both. I like the action of the key bed, and for live applications, direct control of click, perc amount and more is very useful - even if the variation is not massive. And direct access to the three-band EQ, is nice, because no setup is ever precisely the same. Very practical, very real gig oriented. I am, however, considering clearer labels for some controls, they can be difficult to read on the fly. Lights in buttons and the logo may be a bit overdone, but in on stage, it can actually be quite helpful.

And not least: this organ has a presence, warmth and identity, that cuts through and blends well with the band. As if it actually wants you to play it. Some other clones I've tried appear bland, sometimes shrill with the upper drawbars engaged, but the Crumar is very engaging. Both 2nd and 3rd percussion sound good, the vibrato/cohorus is more than decent, and so is the overdrive. Add to this the option to customise numerous settings from your phone or tablet, and you have a very engaging, practical and enjoyable instrument.

And yes, the MAG C2 does sound more authentic, more delicate, and is my choice for recordings, but I quite often prefer to gig with the Mojo. It's handy, has some useful features, not least for live situations, doesn't cost a fortune, should an accident happen - and not least it has this very engaging sound.

Later: Had to send it back to Thomann, because of a key gone silent - good service, and returned in good repair within a few weeks, but still... it's a major item to ship.
Also: The finish of the paint job is not too great. little chips and scratches come too easy. Am considering some sort of laquer to make it more durable. for now, a black marker does the joc.
But I still love the instument - it's a lot of organ and a lot of fun for the price.

I like it. I'm very happy to have one. Especially seeing as they are all on back order in the US. The cost and service from Thomann, the shipping and duty handling from UPS was all top notch and made easy. I could not be happier with that! I'm at $1800 all-in (USD)! Way better price than Sweetwater ect.
As for the Crumar... Really enjoy it and in the Suitcase is very slick and practical. I like the sound of it very much. However, I must say the action is stiff compared to almost all the Hammond organs I have played. That is a bit difficult for me. Also the toggle switch for the vibrato/chorus on my organ is defective. That is annoying and I will have to reach out to Crumar on this. Sometimes when moving clockwise it goes counter-clockwise and vice versa. The only other gripe is that the suitcase cover is not as sturdy as I would have liked. My cover is already cracked where the two boards meet at the angle because when it was detached and leaning against a wall it was knocked over. Point is the "Suitcase" is not a hard case like on an old Rhodes or something. But is is helpful and I do like the design. All-in-all a good price for the instrument in my opinion.