C2 shrillness

[RevvDon]

I've had my C2 for almost three years. I play it through various small sound systems, as well as a Leslie 3300. One thing I keep noticing, in all settings, is a certain shrillness in the upper octave. This is the case even when not using the higher drawbars, i.e. when playing with a typical Jimmy Smith 888. I'm running the 2.0 software. The EQ on both the C2 and 3300 is relatively flat. I've tried pulling out some mid and hi but still it sounds a little grating. I've played an SK-1/2, albeit in music stores, and it sounds little more pleasing in that range, a la a real Hammond. Do any of the rest of you feel the same, and if so, have you found any way warm and mellow up things up a bit? On the positive side, I play in a blues rock band and the shrillness does help cut through the guitar. Nevertheless, I would still prefer a less strident sound in that range.

[dynanord]

I have made the opposite experience.
Sk1= shrill, C2 = warmer. When I owned the SK1, it wasn´t possible to edit the custom tonewheel set. I sold it before the great update was
available. You perhaps could change the tube in the Leslie? Or run the C2 through a tube- preamp. I noticed some shrillness when using the
onboard Lesliesim, it´s gone when I use the neo. The neo has a "warmth-knob" which balances highs and lows.

[RevvDon]

Thanks. I'd like to find a solution that works with the 11 pin cable. Perhaps switching the tube in the 3300. I don't like how the distortion sounds now, almost like a broken speaker.

[Mooser]

Get rid of the Sov-tek 12ax7, and try a vintage 12ax7. A vintage 12au7 (also found in old Hammonds) gives much better overdrive sound, but with less gain, you will have to turn the "tube gain" up. A vintage 12at7 is recommended by Jim Alfredson, and he ought to know.. Do try switching out the stock tube, it doesn't give a nice overdrive sound.
Remember to turn the 3300 off, and give it a minute to cool before switching tubes!. If the 3300 is on, the tube-holdown-spring can short to the board while changing tubes. And e-a-s-y does it, that tube socket is mounted to a circuit-board!
I think the tone controls on the C2 are more useful than the three-band on the 3300, which I leave flat. Also, the horn-level control on the 3300 might help. Very little can keep up with that horn.

[RevvDon]

Thanks for the advice. I switched the tube in the 3300 to a new old tung sol 12at7. The distortion sounds much better. Also, a huge difference was made by turning down the horn volume a little. I saw a band last night with an SK2 going through a vent and it didn't sound as good as I remembered. Guess it's best to not get distracted on the sound and focus more on working on my playing.

[tacitus]

Yep, it's your playing people will notice, and even if they do perceive 'shortcomings' in the sound, most likely will put it down to the venue or some other non-organ cause.

[Mooser]

Remember the kid who spoke up about the Emperor's new Hammond? Everybody was so impressed the Emperor could play organ Jazz with no clothes on until that kid spoke up! "If you listen", that wise-ass kid said, "It's really just a bunch of buzzes!"

[Mooser]

<i>"Guess it's best to not get distracted on the sound and focus more on working on my playing."</i>

I don't see how any sim can best the sound, flexibility, and visual appeal of a 3300. Have you tried plugging a little something into the "sub-woofer" outlet? Anything reasonably powerful and direct-firing (the Leslie woofer, of course, fires down into the rotor) makes an amazing difference in bass impact. Having non-Leslie bass below 200Hz also keeps the bass clear when the Leslie is on fast.
Also, try running the 3300 with no reverb, adding reverb from a separate, stationary amp (needn't be big, only handles reverb "all wet") placed a ways from the Leslie using another output on the organ, or the "full-range" out on the 3300. "Un-spun reverb" was the way a 122RV did it, it heightens the Leslie effect, and the reverb seems to travel.

[CamboC2D]

Hi mate. Just as a note from me, with my Leslie 145- output from C2D around ¾, and volume on Leslie Amp just at overdrive point.
The Trek II preamp adaptor is at max (11-6 pin) ..... The tubes are working great, glowing with input gain. The high frequencies are identical to my A100, no shrill.

[Groovecake]

The shrillness comes from the C/V. It is too warbly and harsh in the top octave.