rotating speakers [message #5377] |
Thu, 20 January 2005 17:40 |
voided3
Messages: 200 Registered: July 2004
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Hello. I know this a little off topic, but I figured someone may know about these. I recently acquired a '71 Cordovox (Farfisa) CL20 rotating speaker cabinet and I absolutely love how it sounds. I hear they are fairly similar to a Fender Vibratone. However, I was wondering if you could answer a few of my questions about it.
Alright, first, why is the hardwired speaker cable wired with a stereo TRS cable with three leads? Is it for the "main" (i.e. bypass) mode to connect the amp output to a resistor to simulate a speaker load while it's off?
Secondly, I know these were not designed for high wattage use, but I noticed when I play a little louder with it there is a rattling noise coming from inside the cabinet (at just slightly lower volumes it's perfectly smooth). I'm only using a 70 watt (peak) amp with it, and the 12" CTS speaker should easily be capable of handling that. I opened up the cab to check it out, and everything looks factory fresh on the inside, including the speaker, so I assume something is loose, or is this normal (it rattled before I opened the cab and sounded the same after I re-assembled it, so it wasn't anything I did)? The rattling only occurs at peaks of volume, it's kind of a metalic buzz, so I highly doubt it's the (near mint-this cab hasn't been used in at least five years) speaker and more of a loose pulley or something.
Also, what is a rough maintinence schedule on these; should I lube the motor every now and then, and how? Thanks!
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Re: rotating speakers [message #5379 is a reply to message #5377] |
Thu, 20 January 2005 19:42 |
rodak
Messages: 516 Registered: October 2001 Location: Georgia
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Senior Member |
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Yeah, lube it and rotate the speakers every 5,000 notes.
Sorry, I couldn't resist.
www.combo-organ.com
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Re: rotating speakers [message #5382 is a reply to message #5380] |
Fri, 21 January 2005 10:31 |
rodak
Messages: 516 Registered: October 2001 Location: Georgia
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Senior Member |
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My personal experience with rotating speakers is very limited, but I do know enough that for use with an organ, you've just gotta have a horn - a speaker alone (as in a Vibratone) doesn't cut it. That's why some of the most popular Leslie replacements are in the vein of the Motion Sound Pro 3 - it's just a rotating horn (with amp, too, I think), and the bass rotor sound is done electronically, since that part of the sound is deemed less critical, and an electronic simulation suffices.
Even in all-electronic simulators (like the H&K Rotosphere) they have separate circuits for horn and bass rotors, with differing speedup/slowdown times, because that aspect of the sound is so important to organists. I think guitar players are less demanding, which is why the single rotating speaker in the Vibratone-type cabinets is sufficient.
If you want a REALLY cheap simulator, the little Danelectro Rocky Road pedal (about $30-$40 on eBay) does a passable job.
www.combo-organ.com
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Re: rotating speakers [message #5384 is a reply to message #5377] |
Fri, 21 January 2005 12:22 |
voided3
Messages: 200 Registered: July 2004
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Senior Member |
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Hello. I am using the Cordovox for guitar 99.99999999% of the time, though I plugged a little 48 key synth I have sitting around into the amp and it sounded great! The amp I use with it is an Ampeg SS140C (I use my Kustoms as my main amps, and the Ampeg is my backup, so guess what it's getting used for now). It has a built in stereo chorus on it, so I actually can have it sound like a Hammond setup when I ramp up the speed if I have the bright switch on and the chorus set to a speed different from the speaker. I also tried the rotating speaker out with my Kustom K200-B6, and I tell you, that was the loudest rotating speaker I have ever heard! On 4 on the amp it was rattling the pulleys in it! Great tone too, but that amp doesn't have a reverb since it's more for bass; a reverb with a rotating speaker is mandatory in my humble opinion, that way not only the notes and chords you play get swirled, the echo swirls too. It's a very cool effect. Thanks!
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Re: rotating speakers [message #5385 is a reply to message #5377] |
Fri, 21 January 2005 12:35 |
chicagobill
Messages: 2006 Registered: April 2003
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Senior Member |
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V3:
As Rodak noted, the upper horn tone is what really makes that distinctive sound. All of the recorded sounds that make me think guitar thru a Leslie, like Clapton/Blind Faith, Page/Zep, etc. were done with "real" Leslies with the horn.
I remember repairing one a few years ago that was really trashed. The rubber mounting blocks for the rotor bearings had worked loose from the styrofoam baffle. The owner continued to use it this way until the foam baffle finally began hitting the side supports! As for oiling, we used to clean and lube the church Leslies that we serviced once a year, and those units got used alot. I've seen Leslies literally go for years without any service at all and still work like new. They really were well made units.
Check out this site for a whole lot of Vibratone stuff:
mywebpages.comcast.net/vrbass/vibratone/
Maybe he can direct you to more info on you unit.
Bill
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Re: rotating speakers [message #5394 is a reply to message #5386] |
Mon, 24 January 2005 17:06 |
C4ster
Messages: 686 Registered: June 2001 Location: Mukwonago, WI (Milwaukee...
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Senior Member |
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Tell me again about these $150 GE 6L6's and $500 6550's. I have a _hitload of them at home and I never thought to push them on eBay. NOS in the boxes and in the original sleeve no less.
Conrad
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Re: rotating speakers [message #5397 is a reply to message #5396] |
Wed, 26 January 2005 09:15 |
C4ster
Messages: 686 Registered: June 2001 Location: Mukwonago, WI (Milwaukee...
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Senior Member |
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Steve, do you have an address???? I have 6 brand new 6550 and numerous 12AX7A/ECC83/7025 GE tubes, in original boxes. I bought those 20 years age when I repaired amps for a music store in Milwaukee. I just through them in the basement and forgot about them.
Conrad
P.S. Does anyone know who Kustom99 is on eBay?
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Re: rotating speakers [message #5401 is a reply to message #5399] |
Wed, 26 January 2005 12:22 |
rodak
Messages: 516 Registered: October 2001 Location: Georgia
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Senior Member |
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I second that. I'm eternally grateful to Dan for being instrumental in turning my dream of owning a Kustom Kombo organ into a reality. A fine fellow to work with - you can't go wrong dealing with him (and yes, I believe he is kustom99)
www.combo-organ.com
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Re: rotating speakers [message #5404 is a reply to message #5402] |
Wed, 26 January 2005 14:19 |
C4ster
Messages: 686 Registered: June 2001 Location: Mukwonago, WI (Milwaukee...
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Senior Member |
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Steve, 920 is the area code for northeastern Wisconsin, from just north of Milwaukee past Green Bay. As far as Kustom99 is concerned, he has beautiful Silver K100 on ebay right now but at $1050 it is a little pricey for my blood. It would look good in my family room though. My wife knows I want a K100 in each color and it would look great next to the Cascade and Gold ones.
Conrad
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