Last week I got my hands on the new Hammond M-Solo organ from Thomann and its pretty cool.
As the classic Hammond sound is iconic and occupies its very own place in the wonderful world of music, I wanted something simple to enhance my keyboard set up with 'Branded' the Rhythm & Blues band I play in.
Upon arrival, it literally jumped straight out of the box and onto a stage after just an hour of button pressing, draw bar sliding and general tinkering. This approach is not really to be advised and there are some really good online vids relating to using and understanding Hammonds so please go check them out.
The thing is, my first impression was one of slight disappointment! "I had ordered a Bue one" as I was led to believe blue was a limited edition, yet the one arriving on the doorstep was more 'Silvery Blue', and nothing like the blue I was envisaging or had viewed in the pictures. In footballing terms I was anticipating Chelea or Everton and received Manchester City, which for a brief moment meant the entire package risked being sent to Coventry. ( I love Coventry b.t.w.)
However, "let's not let the wrapper undermine the quality of the chocolate!" I thought. Perhaps the 'sky blue' version before me is even more limited than the shade I was expecting, Who knows?"
Well, I'm rather impressed with this little fella, it was like opening a small selection box containing the tones of some of the worlds most renowned organs, all wrapped in a smart tiny package that can be transported in the boot of a small car. Irrelevant of what colour frock it chooses to wear!
The one big reason I'm pretty impressed, is because it fits exactly with what I was looking for and so it's a big "Yes" from me.
However, for those perhaps looking for broader spectrum of sounds and a wider range of options, the M-Solo could be too restrictive as this isn't a coat of many colours. The range of tones available on this particular pallet are limited to just a few authentic classics.
So I guess this is one for the connaisseur's or perhaps those, like myself, wishing to enhance their various set ups, productions and performances by introducing authentic pedigree sounds that will certainly satisfy the lovers of such widely acknowledged, classic tones, especially in the worlds of Blues and Jazz. So, the M-Solo ticks a particular box, and if you're looking for high quality great sounding classic organs with real functions including drawbars, chorus, vibrato, overdrive, percussion and brilliant Leslie simulation, then "get that box ticked"
Also, just my initial opinion, the M-Solo lends itself more to right hand use than left, although this view maybe based more on convenience than capability. There are only 49 keys, no digital displays, just 4 organ voices, complimentary string and synth options and an easy push button interface. Weighing in at about 8lbs, the M-Solo really is a very 'lightweight heavyweight' that can add real 'authentic' quality while significantly enhancing existing rigs and set ups. It boasts the very same sound-engine Hammond's latest XK-4 but sells for literally half the price, which is great because full size Hammond's can cost a few bob. The M-Solo's sound engine is the "Modeled Tonewheel II" which is Hammond's latest sound engine offering and even more recent than the sound engine in the Hammond SK Pro and even the sound engine in the most expensive Hammond XK-5!
So for studio work or gigging, the M-Solo provides both an ideal and pretty cost effective way to go, especially if you're set up is a piano/organ combinations (like mine) and where 49 keys will easily provide a second, effective keyboard, ideal for either chord accompaniment or solo's using a selection of authentic organ voices that include the Hammond B3, Vox, Farfisa & Acetone along with string ensemble and synth options , which I haven't overly played with as they aren't of particularly interest to me.
Finally, I sought the initial opinions of my fellow 'Branded' band members whose comments included "A full, resonant, authentic, Hammond that sounded gorgeous " - "I thought you were getting a Blue one" - I should have asked them to write this review, they use far fewer words than me!
