organ effect

Cody Campbell · Post by **Cody Campbell** » 21 May 2005 1:07 pm

I'm curious about this sound. Does anyone know of an effect that would make a steel sound like an organ?
(Note to b0b: I'm posting this in "steel players" because I first heard the sound on a Lloyd Green record). Also, I don't know if the sound is even being caused by pre-amp effect boxes/modules. It may, in fact be the result of simply amplifying the steel guitar through a rotating speaker, (like a Leslie, in which the horn spins around above the bigger speaker below). So I honestly don't know whether this belongs in "electronics" or "pedal steel" or what. (Plus, I prefer posting here in "steel players" where EVERYONE on the planet can read it).
But as far as a reference for you all to go by, I think the sound can be heard in the song "wurlitzer prize" by Waylon Jennings, in all of the steel fill. I just heard that song on the radio and it re-sparked my curiosity.
But I originally heard the sound on Lloyd Green's instrumental version of "There goes my everything." It occurs only on the turnaround, right in the middle, immediately after the first chorus. When I first heard it I swore "That's GOT to be an organ" but after I burned the album from vinyl to disc and ran the part back a couple times I realized the notes were bending and it couldn't possibly be organ.
(For those who've heard it, the turnaround goes like I,V,I,V and both times on the "one" chord, a voice is being 'bent' from a 3rd to a really quick 2nd, and right back up). I guess it would be convenient if I'd just post a sound clip as an example for these little parts that I ask about, but I seem to have a learning disability when it comes to computers. Sorry.
I don't know if the thing from LG is the same as what's on the Waylon tune, it just sounded similar.
If I'm right about the LG turnaround being steel, then it seems that the part would HAVE to have been overdubbed, cause it comes RIGHT off the chorus with no space at all for a musical breath.
Any reply will be appreciated. (Even if you don't know what makes the "sound" just let me know if you're familiar with the recording).

Thanks! -cody

Eric West · Post by **Eric West** » 21 May 2005 1:20 pm

Mr Emmons used a simple MXR Phase 90 when doing his Redneck Jazz performances. Sounded pretty "organesque" to me.

The Phase shifter on the Session 500s gave/give a similar effect.

Buddy Charleton about the same time used to use one regularly. His explainantion was that a lot of times it separated it from the guitar or other instruments.

I or somebody that talk to Mr Green regularly will undoubtably ask him. I probably won't for another month, since I just did not long ago, and it wasn't one of the things I asked about.

EJL

John Daugherty · Post by **John Daugherty** » 21 May 2005 2:22 pm

That's right, the phase-shift effect,with enough strength, does give an organ effect. A mix of phase-shift and tremolo can be made to sound like a "Leslie" speaker.
Some effects units have an effect called "roto" that simulates a rotating (Leslie)speaker.

Jack Stoner · Post by **Jack Stoner** » 21 May 2005 2:32 pm

I had a DOD 565 Stereo Chorus "stomp box" that made a good Leslie emulator. I bought it for chorus but it would distort on more than one string, but sped up it gave a good leslie sound and the small amount of distortion wasn't notice. I used that about 15 years.

My POD XT has several Leslie models in it, including a rotating horn.

Jody Sanders · Post by **Jody Sanders** » 21 May 2005 10:12 pm

Remember the little units called 'Junior'. Had a good organ sound. The profex 2 has a good organ setting. In the late 60's, Fender had a large amp type unit that got a good organ sound. Jody.[This message was edited by Jody Sanders on 21 May 2005 at 11:15 PM.]

Kevin Mincke · Post by **Kevin Mincke** » 21 May 2005 10:13 pm

I used to use an Electro Harmonix "Electric Mistress"

Michael Johnstone · Post by **Michael Johnstone** » 21 May 2005 11:22 pm

A lot of guys feel like the Hughes & Kettner Tube Rotosphere is the best Leslie effect pedal around at the moment. I got one and it's close enough for me - especially thru a tube amp. -MJ-

Smiley Roberts · Post by **Smiley Roberts** » 22 May 2005 1:45 am

Back in,about,'66,or '67,I heard Jimmy Day use a Cordovox Leslie tone cabinet on a recording. I,seriously,thought it was an organ. I had to have one. I,eventually,got one. It was a GREAT effect,HOWEVER,the cabinet was bigger than my amp,& only housed an 8" speaker, The rest of the space was taken up by a rotating wooden "paddle wheel". Excellent,in a studio situation,but lousy on a "live" situation. I "blew" several speakers,tryin' to kick it too hard. Too much to carry around,for 1 or 2 songs. Finally got rid of it. Then,Electro-Harmonix came out w/ an "Electric Mistress" stomp box. It had a GREAT Leslie effect in it. Unfortunately,I can't find an 18 volt d.c. xformer for it,so I had to quit using it. Now,I get the same effect out of my P.V. "ProFex II",(program # 41). If ya got one,check it out.

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<pre> ~ ~
©¿© It don't mean a thang,
mm if it ain't got that twang.
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Dan Tyack · Post by **Dan Tyack** » 22 May 2005 1:53 am

If you want to sound like an organ, it's hard to beat the Hughes & Kettner Tube Rotosphere. It nails that sound.

The only thing I like better is the Motion Sound leslie speaker. THis this sounds amazing, especially since it is extremely adjustable (unlike the H&K). I love the REALLY slow sound.

Cody Campbell · Post by **Cody Campbell** » 22 May 2005 1:56 am

Thanks for the replies, everyone.
I guess this post DID belong in the "electronics" page, after all.
(tell me what Mr. Green used).
Thank you all!

-cody

Craig A Davidson · Post by **Craig A Davidson** » 22 May 2005 5:41 am

My Delta-Fex also has a Leslie setting.

Jon Light (deceased) · Post by **Jon Light (deceased)** » 22 May 2005 5:53 am

The H&K Rotosphere in combination with a two button handswitch that I built that I attach right by the changer does it for me. It's fun to swipe at the ramp-up, ramp-down button for effect.

Marty Pollard · Post by **Marty Pollard** » 22 May 2005 5:55 am

Don Williams' "I Believe In Love" has Lloyd using just volume pedal swells throughout that simulates organ very well.

Jim Smith · Post by **Jim Smith** » 22 May 2005 6:30 am

Red Rhodes used to get a very believable Leslie effect with just a very heavy vibrato on his bar hand.

Jerry Gleason · Post by **Jerry Gleason** » 22 May 2005 1:16 pm

I had a Peavey Max 100 processor that had a decent Leslie effect, including a realistic spin up/down. It was a fairly inexpensive stomp box preamp / effects processor, probably no longer made.

I used it for a jazz organ effect with pedal steel on this home recording from several years ago:

Low Life (4.5 MB Mp3)

This is one of those one-man band recordings where I played all the parts, so I apologize in advance for any bad playing.

Ricky Littleton · Post by **Ricky Littleton** » 22 May 2005 7:40 pm

My PX-4 Pandora's box has an organ setting. Pretty funky, but fun to play around with.

Ricky

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Emmons LeGrande - 8x4
Session 400 Ltd, Nashville 112,Hilton Volume pedal, Peterson VS-II Tuner
Dan-Echo, E-Bow, Ibanez Distortion, Boss Comp./Sustain, Ibanez Auto-Wah, PX4 Pandoras Box

Ron ! · Post by **Ron !** » 22 May 2005 11:25 pm

Cody,

Tommy Detamore used this on one of the last "Doug Sahm" albums.I think Tommy can fill you in how this was done.He mailed me some time ago and mentioned how he did it but I seem to have forgotten about it.Tommy is a regular visitor on this forum.So if you post a topic for Tommy Í'm sure he will answer.[This message was edited by Ronald ! on 23 May 2005 at 04:11 AM.]

Gene Jones · Post by **Gene Jones** » 23 May 2005 4:06 am

Thanks Jerry Gleason for posting your recording of "Low Life". The lift I got from that will last all day on this rainy Monday!

www.genejones.com

Howard Tate · Post by **Howard Tate** » 23 May 2005 5:16 am

I agree with Gene, very tasty pickin'. Love the sound.

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Howard, 'Les Paul Recording, Zum S12U, Vegas 400, Boss ME-5, Boss DM-3
http://www.Charmedmusic.com

Tony Palmer · Post by **Tony Palmer** » 23 May 2005 7:05 am

It's true that with the right strings and a heavy vibrato you can get a quick organ-like sound in a pinch.
Try strings 4,5 and 8 with a super vibrato and strong picking attack...it works for a quick fix.

Johan Jansen · Post by **Johan Jansen** » 23 May 2005 7:10 am

Chorus, Pitch Shifter, Harmoniser,overdrive and a lot of tweekin'

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Click on the pic!

Dave Burr · Post by **Dave Burr** » 23 May 2005 7:16 am

Smiley said:

Back in,about,'66,or '67,I heard Jimmy Day use a Cordovox Leslie tone cabinet on a recording. I,seriously,thought it was an organ.

Smiley, Is that what Jimmy used on "Farewell Party" with Johnny Bush? I've always wondered what technique Jimmy was using to get the "organ effect".

Respectfully,
Dave Burr

CrowBear Schmitt · Post by **CrowBear Schmitt** » 23 May 2005 8:31 am

Jerry G's always got some good sounds
how' bout some more bro ? :!

Gene Jones · Post by **Gene Jones** » 23 May 2005 9:11 am

The Cord-O-Vox Leslie in it's time was as authentic an organ sound as you could get. I hauled one around along with a Standel Amp and an Echo-Plex for for about eight years....an amazing accomplishment for a middle aged steel player.

www.genejones.com [This message was edited by Gene Jones on 23 May 2005 at 10:14 AM.]

William Steward · Post by **William Steward** » 23 May 2005 8:01 pm

Check out the Motion Sound leslie 'simulators'(eg: Pro-3T model). They use a real rotating treble horn and send the bass signal (that would normally be produced by a bass horn rotating in the opposite direction)as a signal to an amp. The simulator is a 'little' bigger than an effect box but beats any of the simulators I have tried (only 3). http://www.motion-sound.com/rotary_amps.htm