Hammond A-3vsHammond Portable B-3 mk2
Summary
Hammond A-3 and Hammond Portable B-3 mk2: 2 Hammond organs compared side by side. They differ on 2 of 4 compared specifications.
Key differences
- Keybed: Lower manual using the XK-5 key-bed and multi-contact system; upper manual and sound generation from an XK-5 (not included) on the A-3 and Two 61-note waterfall manuals with multi-contact drawbar keying and 12 preset keys each; pedalboard connects separately on the Portable B-3 mk2.
Both are the same on keys per manual (61).
| 2 items |  Hammond A-3Current |  Hammond Portable B-3 mk2Current |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Hammond | Hammond |
| Status | Current | Current |
| Keyboard | ||
| Manuals | — | 2 |
| Keys per manual | 61 | 61 |
| Key action | — | Waterfall |
| Keybed | Lower manual using the XK-5 key-bed and multi-contact system; upper manual and sound generation from an XK-5 (not included) | Two 61-note waterfall manuals with multi-contact drawbar keying and 12 preset keys each; pedalboard connects separately |
| Sound | ||
| Drawbars | — | Physical |
| Sound engine | — | DTW1 digital tonewheels (manuals), VASE III (pedals) |
| Organ models | — | Hammond DTW1 digital tonewheels, B-type and Mellow voicings |
| Polyphony | — | Full polyphony (manuals), 8 (pedals) |
| Connections | ||
| Outputs | — | 1/4-inch unbalanced, Headphones, Leslie 11-pin |
| MIDI ports | — | DIN in, DIN out |
| Pedal inputs | — | Expression, Rotor speed, Pedalboard |
| Features | ||
| Features | Requires XK-5, B-3-style red walnut cabinet, Detachable upper assembly, folding stand | Two 61-note manuals, Four sets of drawbars plus pedal drawbars, 12AU7/12AX7 tube preamp, Digital Leslie, Two 11-pin Leslie sockets (main and echo), Stand and music rack included |
| Size & weight | ||
| Colours | Red walnut | Red walnut |
| Dimensions (W × D × H) | — | 1230 × 730 × 1170 mm |
| Weight | — | 85 kg |