NAMM 2019 Hammond Porta-B vs 1965 Hammond B3 Organ

After finding major issues with the Hammond Porta-B at the 2019 NAMM show, including poor internal speakers, the lack of a physical Leslie speed switch (which was replaced with three small buttons), and nearly no treble presence, a Hammond employee reached out to me and explained some of the issues I was having. This is an excerpt from the transcript, regarding the lack of treble from the Leslie speaker.

"It's Don Leslie's design from 30+ years ago. The only thing different is the outer tough coat, which was found not only increased the weight of the Leslie by 50lbs but also deadened the cabinet. The inside of the cabinet is also coated the same way. The coating application is outsourced."

He also told me this, regarding the Leslie:

"Hammond service pointed the snafu out to me as we were unpacking and setting up on Wednesday. "

I have been going to the NAMM show for years, and nearly always, vendors will bring their finest goods to the show. Sometimes the instruments on display are even better than ones you could buy in a store. So it seems odd to me that Hammond would send a prototype, experimental Leslie to the show that they knew wasn't quite right. The internal speakers and speed switch system on the Porta- B were stock.

A link to my B3 recorded one mic "The House of The Rising Sun"
   • The Animals "House of the Rising Sun ...