A really big stompbox--

[italianguy63]

I did this like a year ago.  Figured somebody may find it interesting.

I converted a Leslie710 from 2 channel to single channel (for guitar) use.  That required changing the crossovers.  Since the amp on the 710 is solid state, I added a "off the shelf" tube preamp to warm up the sound a bit.  It uses a 2 speed stompbox speed control too.. Nice setup.  Pictures don't show it, but I put it on casters too so it can roll around!  MC

[tubegeek]

I run sound at a church every Sunday, and our organ rig uses that same Leslie cabinet, but with a tube amplifier (122.) It's driven by a real honest-to-goodness Hammond B3 and the best part is - it was donated to the church.

Iconic tone. There is NOTHING that sounds like a real Leslie.

[italianguy63]

Why build a SIM if you can own the real deal?  

But, it is a monster to move around.  LOL    

It looks nice in the Man Cave.  I noticed something else funny-- the SG on the wall is so blacked out, you can only see the ring of the input jack!

[Mustachio]

I'm jealous!

When I was a kid we had a Hammond M3 with a Lesslie cab that looked exactly like yours! I loved playing around and making noise with it as a child. My parent's thought it didn't go with the decor of our new modern home at the time and gave it away to a music shop for free.

So how about some sound clips ?

[italianguy63]

It does sound great.  I'm a bit of a poser-- can't play well, but learning when I have time (which is scarce)...  I haven't done any soundclips, but I am working on that for some other projects too.

I lucked into the Leslie at a steal of a price.  Craigslist is a wonderful thing-- just keep watching!!!  You can have one too.

MC

[italianguy63]

For the record-- my wife thought I was insane when I drove 2 hours away to pick it up and bring it home.  She looked at me and said -- "you need this why?"  That put my Man Cave project into overdrive..    Indeed.  (Please validate my Man Card.)

[Mustachio]

On my way way back burner I'd like to design and build a DIY lesslie , I've seen a few here and its always inspiring stuff! What you did here is awesome ! Big props!

Haha your poor wife, She had the right reaction, but once you hear one in person ... WELCOME TO THE ELECTRIC CHURCH!

[italianguy63]

Thank you.

My wife.. after I started babbling on about Stevie Ray Vaughn and George Harrison, her eyes just glazed over, and she went looking for "shiny things" at the outlet mall.

[italianguy63]

Jim-- I've seen the DIY Leslie posts too--

I suggest you find a cheap solid state one on Craigslist that is a "not desirable" model.  Then gut it-- maybe you can luck out and get one with the upper rotating speaker intact.  Then build or put in a tube amp in the bottom, and buy the large rotating baffle assembly off eBay for the bottom rotater (I found one no sweat from an organ).  Worst case is you have to make a new bottom shelf.  Hence, you have the desireable model and sound for cheap.  Far easier than the "from scratch" idea.

MC