leslie unit

[Ears]

I've just scored a leslie unit in good order from an '70's Hammond, paid a fiver (about US$2.50 at current dismal exchange rate). Rotating styro baffle, 2 speed, 8" speaker, assume approx 20W.
I want to build an enclosure but would like to know if its better to have it open all around the axis of rotation or just open in the forward direction.
Any experts?

[Andy Le Blanc]

I've a unit too, a keyboard player gave me on a lark, and a horn set. Ive
played a vibrotone and the whole unit spun horizontally at the back of the box
with three sides open. I've seen boxes with the rotor on the floor, on posts
with all sides open, and I've seen players with boxes that had only one side
open which they would orient to effect. What your after is whats important.
If you want more of a tremolo go for one open side, if you want the full leslie
go for a more open plan. Another, maybe more important point, is the frequency
range that you feed the driver and cabinet. You'll want to play with some
crossover point or even a pass band to put the effect where you want it.

[briane]

typically a lesie has 4 opeeings, slotted, orthoganally arranged. You can take a look at how a 147 is set up for optimal usage. 2 slotted openings would probably also sound decent.

Though what you have is a whole different beast.

In my experience those leslie units salvaged from the hammond organ dont sound very good. A huge part of that is likely the amp. Did you get an amp with the unit?

oh, those 8" speakers are dog food as well.

[Ears]

Thanks, I'll go for 4 slotted sides. I realise the rotating baffle system isn't the full rotating speaker deal but expect that for the $5.00 price tag it will deliver acceptable performance in small venues at lowish volume, they wouldn't put them in the organs if they were totally useless, we will see.

[benoit]

Thanks, I'll go for 4 slotted sides. I realise the rotating baffle system isn't the full rotating speaker deal but expect that for the $5.00 price tag it will deliver acceptable performance in small venues at lowish volume, they wouldn't put them in the organs if they were totally useless, we will see.

I just mixed a band (the Box Elders, maybe they have clips on myspace?) on saturday that had a small (maybe 14x14", 18 inches tall) rotary speaker cab with only the rotating baffle, no horns, and the thing sounded awesome. I'm sure yours will be great.

[drhulsey]

... I realise the rotating baffle system isn't the full rotating speaker deal but expect that for the $5.00 price tag it will deliver acceptable performance in small venues at lowish volume...

That rotating baffle alone was the basis for most of the Vibratone, Chordovox, etc. It will make a better effect than any of the simulators. Volume will not be a limitation, depending on the size of your amp, of course. You might even consider putting in a better guitar speaker, which can require alteration of the baffle. Not having the rotating horns loses some of the chorusing effect of the Leslie, but I think you'll still get a great sound. There are usually plenty of these units on ebay.