How many times have I watched concerts by Clapton, Santana, Knopfler or Maceo Parker and thought: "What a show I could put on if I didn't have to sit here." It's the keyboard player's fate, a fact of life: those of us on the keys can't roam from one side of the stage to the other, connecting with the audience and whipping them into a frenzy the way other musicians do. Manufacturers know this and have tried to give us different options throughout history.
In the '80s, the proliferation of synthesizers gave rise to a varied lineup of MIDI controllers you could strap on guitarist-style, but their popularity lasted even less time than the synth boom. Now a new (more modest) option comes to us from two leading companies, Suzuki Musical Instr. and Hammond, makers of harmonicas and organs respectively, whose collaboration has given birth to a magnificent hybrid: the Hammond 44. Because that's what a Hammond 44 really is, a hybrid between a harmonica and an organ. Plain and simple, a "harmonica with keys" or an "organ with a harmonica sound," an invention known until now as the Melodion, Melodica, Pianica, etc., depending on the manufacturer's trade name since its creation in the mid-20th century. We can therefore say that the Hammond 44 is not new in concept, but it is new in terms of the highly professional quality it offers. With no intention of offending anyone, in my opinion Melodions, Melodicas… are like little toys, which is something the Hammond 44 is not at all. Let me explain:
For the first time, a Melodion (a Suzuki registered trademark) comes equipped with an internal microphone. This gives us a warmer, deeper sound than if we had to use an external mic and, of course, lets us move around with total freedom without worrying that movement will generate noise through that external mic. Also for the first time, the keyboard has 44 Hammond-style keys (waterfall keys), which is welcome when soloing, both because of the keyboard's range and the feel of the keys themselves.
The sound is clean but strong, with personality and magnificent presence. With or without amplification, it's a joy to emulate Stevie Wonder on "Isn't She Lovely," or to play The Beatles' "Love Me Do" or Supertramp's "Take the Long Way Home" without having learned to play the harmonica. And if you're open to experimenting, trying this thing out with any effects unit or pedalboard is a blast. Very, very fun
The finish is understated, sturdy and professional, with classy touches thanks to the leather handle and the wood on both sides. Jack output, volume control, a valve for releasing saliva and strap buttons for wearing it guitarist-style. Really beautiful and very well finished.
The Hammond 44 comes "out of the box" with three types of mouthpiece: one for playing it as if it were a trumpet; a flexible one, in case you want to use the strap; and a third, semi-rigid one for placing it on a flat surface such as another keyboard or even a Hammond organ. It also includes a padded gig bag with a strap, ideal for carrying it around in the car or over your shoulder.
All in all, a very interesting alternative for keyboard players looking for a different sound in an utterly portable and lightweight instrument (it weighs just 1.2 kg) that needs no power outlet (and, in many cases, not even an amp), and that will also let them unleash the showman within. In my view, highly recommendable.
