Leslie 2101 vs. Leslie 3300

[Guest]

I was wondering which Leslie would work best with the Hammond XK-3c keyboard and which sounds overall better. I heard good things about and I like the idea that the 2101 can combine with the stationary unit to add more power/effects but which overall brings the full sound of Hammond to life. I am going to be playing Blues/Jazz if that helps as well as possibly gig and I will mic the Leslie, this is talking years down the road as I don't even have the keyboard yet and will be playing the keyboard through a Roland KC-350 keyboard amp. until I can save enough to by a leslie. I also heard that the 2101 sounds pretty close to the Leslie 122 and are sometimes hard to tell apart, but I also heard good about the 3300. I don't care about price as they are around the same range and just want a good Leslie to go with the XK-3c when I go off to college next year.</P>
<P mce_keep="true"></P>


After I have the Leslie I plan to upgrade the XK-3c very slowly by getting a lower manual, then the traditional stand/bench, you catch the drift until I have the full XK-3 system. As I said before I am not really good with this stuff as I am new to organ and just recently took on and the only organ I've ever played were virtual ones onsynths and a very old/half broken H-100 from the 60s during my weekly lessons. I have never owned or played on a Leslie before and never owned a clonewheel before either, I play a very cheap Casio and the XK-3c will be my very first professional keyboard/keyed instrument I've owned. I know both Leslies are good, maybe not as good as wooden ones, but they are a lot cheaper and more portable so this may not sound like an important question but which Leslie sounds the best for Hammond and brings out the full effects of this beautiful instrument soI will be pleased with my playing in the future and never have to buy another for a long time once I purchase it. </P>

[JJMcS]

Re: Leslie 2101 vs. Leslie 3300



If you are going to go for a Leslie first, I suggest the 3300. I havea 3300 anda 21System and they both sound great. However, if you do intend to go for the XK-System, I suggest getting the lower manual before a Leslie. The Digital Leslie in the '3c is very good and so the lower manual will provide you with far more of the real "Hammond" experience than the Leslie will. If you will be moving the System to gigs, you might go with the Pro System instead of the Traditional version. It is less expensive and you can put the savings toward a Leslie or the pedals. Regarding the Leslie, you might start with the 2121 for the digital Leslie since it uses the same speaker/driver as the "real" ones, it does a great job of reproducing the digital Leslie. The crossover frequency is the same also so the highs come out the horn and the lows come out the 15". From there you can either add the 2101 Mk II for the 21System or add the 3300 and use the 2121 as a stationary tone cabinet. As always, IMHO, YMMV, yada yada yada.</P>


Lots of options, all good.</P>
<P mce_keep="true"></P>


Good Luck.</P>
<P mce_keep="true"></P>

[Guest]

Re: Leslie 2101 vs. Leslie 3300

Thats not a bad idea, I'm sorry I haven't really heard the leslie sim on the XK but if what you are saying is true I might just get the 2121 and then add leslies on to that. As for getting the standard system, I just find it very mechanical and unattractive looking and I know it all sounds the same, but I really want it to look like a Hammond and last me through college so I am willing to chuck a little extra cash for the better build quality and looks. So basically whatever Leslie I get will sound great and I will be pleased and I think I might just buy the lower manual first and then I'll save up for the Leslie 2121 and work my way to finishing the system by the end of my freshman year of college, so I won' t have to worry about the band until Sophomore year because I am going to be too busy my first year and I need the extra year for experience building and studying music. So I plan to have the full XK-3 system traditional by the end of my freshman year with the lower manual, stand, pedal board, and bench, as well as the Leslie. I estimated the XK system to total around 5500 dollars without the leslie so I will be able to afford it all within 2 years from now, I make roughly 8,000 a year with tax returns, but around 1000 is spent on gas/accesories. I know it will be a pain but once I have the system with my Leslie I will be set until I'm done with college and probably will even last a little longer than that. I'll wait for more opinions though.

[JJMcS]

Re: Leslie 2101 vs. Leslie 3300

I agree regarding the difference between the Traditional and Pro Systems. I was justthinking ofthe cost difference considering you are in college and I wasremembering my college days.You are looking at buying a whole XK-System + Leslie, I was looking at how many meals I could squeeze out of a chicken (mid-70's).Times have changed and that aint bad. [Y]Good Luck.

[CEB]

Re: Leslie 2101 vs. Leslie 3300



You have probably thought this through but .... don't forget to factor in your transportation. 3300 vs that 21 system and pro XK vs traditional XK etc.... Consider what you will be using to haul and verify everything will fit. </P>


Cases you may want to use make everything bigger also. My Kawai stage piano goes from a nice size board to big huge thing after I put in the ATA case.</P>

[Guest]

Re: Leslie 2101 vs. Leslie 3300

I realize what you mean I will worry about transporting it and buying cases for every element of the system once my first year is done with, which isn't for a while, It will stay in the same spot until then. Okay so heres what I think I'll do considering most people feel the Leslies both sound good and there isn't a big difference. I will buy the XK-3c in a few months than start saving for the lower manual, which I should receive before Summer of next year. Then I will use my graduation money with whatever funds I get during the late Summer of next year to buy the Leslie 2121 stationary unit and just use the sim for the rotary effect. During my first year I will save up for a stand and pedal board, which should be achieved by Spring of 2011 if I am wise and don't spend too much on junk. Then during the Summer I will complete the system with a bench and the Rotary unit for the system. Then for sophomore year I will be ready to play for audiences with a small band so I'm pretty sure if I save wise I can accomplish and I know college can be a lot but the food is included in the tuition price and no car means no gas or insurance so basically everything I make will be going towards the system, which should be around 8-10 an hour considering college jobs pay a little higher. I wish I could get a little more votes but I guess they are both good Leslies and seem pretty identical to wooden models in sound.

[CEB]

Re: Leslie 2101 vs. Leslie 3300



I prefer the 3300 a lot more than the 2101 but that is me. You have to figure in your needs and wants and how it will fit into your setup. </P>


My leslies only do leslie things I have separate amplification systems for stationary things. We also transport equipment in trailers. Plus I'm an old fart who can't get used to the idea of sims and not having two physical rotors. You can't teach old dogs new tricks.</P>


But you have to examine what will best work for you</P>


Have fun jamming. </P>

[eticket]

Re: Leslie 2101 vs. Leslie 3300



Hi, I have embarked on an upgrade-over-time path of my own, though it has a lower price point than what you're planning. I started with the XK-1 and am using my Kurzweil PC3 as the lower manual via midi. The two keyboards work perfectly together and the Kurz has a nice semi-weighted keyboard that isn't identical but feels fairly compatible with the XK-1's manual.
</p>

Then, I recently picked up the 2101mkII to handle the rotary Leslie. The simulated low rotor output of the 2101 is currently routed into my band's PA speakers but I've also used my guitar amp's speaker cabinet as well. So for now all the basics are covered: two manuals, spinning high rotor and simulated low rotor external cabinet. My next upgrade will be a single 15" bass cabinet.. undecided on brand as yet. (The 2121 is excellent, I'm sure, but just too big and heavy for the hasty load-in-and-load-out showcasing gigs we do around LA)</p>

If I had to start over, though, I'd have purchased the XK-3c first. Having played and enjoyed the XK-1 immensely for about 8 months I'm seriously jonesing for a second set of drawbars and more tone generator options.. so it's only a matter of time before I'll be moving to the XK-3c (or whatever the current model will be at that point.. XK-3d?). </p>

So.. my vote would be to use any decent and/or inexpensive midi controller for the second manual, then upgrade to the 2121mkII. You'll eventually ditch the midi controller in favor of the XK3c lower manual, but this way you'll get closer to *the sound* more quickly. But, your way can't lose either - and you'll have an amazing sounding rig when you're through.</p>


</p>