Hammond M Solo: Amazing First Impressions

/ @nickfoleyuk
Last week I got my hands on the new Hammond M-Solo. In what seemed like an age I managed to get it out of the box. This week it's plugged in and raring to go. How will it sound? Let's take a look!
With thanks to Hammond UK for the loan of this instrument. You can get your own for 999 English Earth Pounds only from ‪@bonnersmusic‬ (tell them I sent you!)

[@schmiddi_3123]

got my m solo for 2 months or so now and use it as a standalone hammond (much more is not affordable for me) it does the job very well, i just love its sound regarding its variability it’s a very good deal i think

[@dalebeaver5073]

Great sounding little Hammond! This could be the next Hammond in my keyboard arsenal! Thanks for the nice demo, Nick!

[@nickfoleyuk]

My pleasure. If you are in the UK then its available from Bonners Pianos (Hammond UK)

[@davidrepetnyy825]

Thanks for the great review review. I have had mine for a few months now and I love it. Definitely NOT a toy.

[@nickfoleyuk]

Definitely not a toy!

[@hapibeli]

Thanks for the introduction. Mine has been ordered to compliment my MP11SE

[@nickfoleyuk]

Great!

[@davidstein606]

The Kawai MP models are great boards too. Very heavy!

[@ashfaq1999]

Great video nick. Classic hammond sounds 🎶

[@garaughty]

Gorgeous tones... excellent demo Nick !

[@nickfoleyuk]

Thank you kindly!

[@troublesomecorsair]

This would have been perfect for a configuration I can't remember anymore. Thanks!

[@adam62385]

Do the drawbars have that same little dip you talked about in the XK4 video? I imagine it'd be similar to the B3s with ratchet drawbars, that audible - and more important - feel-able click.

[@_-_Michael_-_]

7:53 “Onions could”… (plays good sounding Green Oinons intro) … “be Green, I suppose” 😂😂😂😂 love this type of comedy 😂 thanks mate

[@nickfoley7348]

Thanks

[@danp.6082]

I’ve had mine for 2 months in USA. Sits atop a Wurlitzer 200a. Perfect. Besides sound, I like the “no menu display” configuration. Makes it more fun playing “live”. Wish list: - regular power cord - small built-in soeaker - Leslie rocker switch accessory option - 11 pin connection option

[@user-om9zl4iu2q]

Thanks for the great job! How high is the actuation point of the key contacts?

[@nickfoleyuk]

A little more sensitive than my XK-5 but not too high

[@JimmyCaswell]

Nice one Nick. Sounded much better cranked up.

[@nickfoleyuk]

Always

[@TomPoop]

Thanks for making this. Does the action feel anything like a proper Hammond (maybe a spinet, what with the diving board keys) or is it more plasticky and less controllable? So far, the closest feel I can find is the Crumar Mojo, which I love but I really like the idea of the multiple key contacts on this, and miss that when I switch from my old L100 to the Mojo. Also, have you tried it through a Leslie? Or a Neo Vent? - It's not passing my 'is it real?' test when I close my eyes using the internal sim. Cheers :)

[@nickfoleyuk]

It doesn't feel like a proper Hammond in that respect but it does not detract. I didn't even notice straight away. Yup more like a Spinet really you are right. I'll try it through the 122

[@TomPoop]

​@@nickfoleyuk Blimey, speedy response thanks! :)

[@nickfoleyuk]

@@TomPoop No problem mate; be sure to like and subscribe ;-)

[@TomPoop]

@@nickfoleyuk Done cheers :)

[@planetdog1641]

Well, everyone is going to want a 61 key version since the successor to the XK-1C (xk-4) skyrocketed in price.

[@TorolfJansson]

The old M is called, as you know, the Baby B3. That¨s why they called it M, i think!

[@Hammondfreak]

Looks like a good buy, loads of features and very portable. Can the output be routed through a Neo-Vent? Thanks for the demo Nick. By the way how's the Leslie 610 coming along?

[@nickfoleyuk]

Yes you can do that. Its a mono/stereo quarter inch jack so shouldn't be a problem to go into a vent. The 610 IS coming along, it has a friend now (a 710) and I was going to show you that and then we dismantled it pretty sharpish to work on. its getting some wood staining this week but hopefully at a later date I can show you that one as well

[@YotamPiano]

Very impressive board for sure ! a bit expensive when it comes to value for money IMO but the interface and sounds are definitely inspiring

[@nickfoleyuk]

It’s a nice board it’s true. Little pricy you’re right but you are paying for the development of the whole range I guess?

[@DrawbarPete]

Truly a tiny BEAST! Thanx:)

[@nickfoleyuk]

Yup

[@nicklisac4667]

The Baby Leslie BT-122 Bluetooth Speaker would be an ideal match for this keyboard in regards to size. Is there a matching mini wooden B3 furniture cabinet or at least wooden end caps❓🤭 It seems to be true... It's not the size that matters it's what you do with it.🤣 Great video as always sir👍 Thankyou

[@nickfoleyuk]

Cheers

[@johnpaiz6372]

Hey i have a question. I got 1 but came with a different power cable likes its not the original but it still works and everything but i wonder does this affect the sound of the keyboard? What do you think?

[@nickfoleyuk]

Nope. It’s binary. If it works it works

[@johnpaiz6372]

Thankss ! Awesome video btw!

[@aronjackson971]

I'll stick with my dexibell combo j7. Thanks for the demo.

[@ageshero]

The organ for the people, for the people, FOR THE PEOPLE

[@Tonewheeldude]

Its fantastic

[@nickfoleyuk]

Nice isn’t it?

[@Tonewheeldude]

I have sold some

[@terelldavis]

I still want the beef!! B-3 ❤️🇺🇸

[@marcoballa]

Interesting... Thanks 👍

[@nickfoleyuk]

Thanks for watching!

[@PlayKeyswithJP]

Great video! I just wish you demoed it through a Leslie!!

[@nickfoleyuk]

Like this? kzbin.info/www/bejne/g3O2lXx4p7CqpKMsi=HIcewBZXH65V1PuD

[@adamjacksonmedia]

Eveyone rants constantly about the Crumar Mojo... Which is literally power by a $150 VB3 app... you can buy for your ipad!! It's nuts to consider that Jordan Rudess... live with Dream Theater... uses an XK-5, a $3500 radial rack for distortion, and a Neo Vent II... That's $12,000 for Jordans organ rig. Yet when Jordan played live with Deep Purple, he literally used $150 Hammond app on an ipad, to get a similar sound. $12,000 vs $150??

[@JackPonissi]

Great review. I’m no fan it past hamsuz instruments, but this sounds pretty good here. Too bad for the price

[@nickfoleyuk]

Little sharp I guess

[@jazzplayer59]

From your facial expression you appear to really like it...kudos!

[@nickfoleyuk]

I love it!

[@Ambientnauts]

Yes I was gonna say great Synth face. But in this case great Organ face!@@nickfoleyuk

[@nickfoleyuk]

Lol

[@genem9725]

I'd love to hear you drive the hell out of that thing. In the style of Lee Michaels.

[@nickfoleyuk]

I can do that …

[@Josemo123]

This or Yamaha ck61?

[@kevinbeckett2181]

Ck61

[@nickfoleyuk]

This, for me

[@FreshTrooperXBL]

I’d say this, Yamaha’s rotary speaker emulations don’t sound accurate (even on their more expensive boards).

[@B3-R]

Sounds great,for about 1000 euros

[@nickfoleyuk]

Agreed

[@qddk9545]

I find it thin and uninteresting sounding. Buy a Crumar Mojo 61 instead, it sounds much better has 5 octaves and is much cheaper, and it even has some Rhodes, Clavinet, Piano ...

[@nickfoleyuk]

Wise words

[@stevec.1802]

@@nickfoleyukindeed.

[@hapibeli]

Much cheaper? Not in Canada. Half again as much. I owned the Mojo 61. Loved it! Bought the second manual too. Gave it to a local high school, knowing the kids would put it to good use. Wanted the Kawai MP11SE, love it too, but missed the Hammond sound. Bought a Ferrofish B4000+ with no room for a bigger keyboard, then a year later, finally figured out the Ferrofish, on the very day my M-Solo arrived!

[@BBSAXX]

Not to mention killer pipe organ which can be tweaked to sound like harpsichord. Crumar is incredible.

[@henrywhenryw812]

Or a viscount legend

[@RayyMusik]

Sounds good. But no waterfall keys: nah.

[@nickfoleyuk]

True. It’s to a price I guess

[@tonyroyal2958]

No, I didn't like the Hammond spinet and I don't think I want this one. I'm getting a A100&122 Leslie and digital, the SKX &XK-5 w/Leslie studio 12 & the Leslie 3300, and 122H.

[@louiscornale5667]

Maybe wooly bully watch it now 😮

[@ryanthepianoman27]

Wow, you’re annoying

[@bobvandervliet2097]

Is it me, or am I the only one who thinks they should have made it Black and White and called it the "Ham Solo"?

[@nickfoleyuk]

They’ve missed a trick there

[@nickfoleyuk]

Or pink and white and called it the “Ham Sandwich”

[@moogy77]

CAN'T CHANGE EXPRESSION TO SUSTAIN ?!?!?!? BIG FAIL.

[@--Kwinto--]

What for? Reverb is not enough?

[@Musician-Lee]

Why would you want a sustain on a Hammond clone?

[@ralphchangnoi918]

Why this thing need to be red? While the red things can never touch hammond. On the other hand. Please Hammond dont start to produce Toys. M Solo is a toy just for me. Ok Cheap. A cheap toy.

[@nickfoleyuk]

It’s available in two colours. Red and black.

[@ralphchangnoi918]

@@nickfoleyuk Even in black it is a toy machine. Love the standard of xK 1 c and my full xk 5/xlk 5 Please hammond stay on top line.

[@SilvioMoraisTecladista]

let the toy for those who know how to make music with it. you can play with the big ones

[@jbluesb3southside]

Plz there is really better choices then this seriously and like what’s with the red that’s the other guy which is way more respectful in sound I think even the reface Yamaha is better then this trickery