Pro-Line Leslies part III | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The Infamous 900-series The 900-series consisted of five different model designations: 900, 900U, 910, 925 and 950, though the 950 is not really comparable to any other Leslie model in existence. A brief outline of the models can be found in the table below:
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The first model,
model Pro 900, was also the first Pro-line model ever. It had a two-piece cabinet
(complete top horn assembly in separate box) and built-in reverb. The solid state
amplifier produced 100W all in all, pretty loud for the time. For some reason the 900
didn't have the slow speed for the bottom rotor. The reverb channel sounded
through two 6x9" speakers in the top part of the cabinet. The reverb
sound itself was treated with a tremolo effect to keep it in sync with the
rotor signal. This effect was accomplished with a so-called space
generator, a variable air capacitor similar to the Hammond vibrato
scanner. The shaft of this capacitor was coupled to the drive belt on the
top horn - see the photo below. |
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The concept of the two-piece cabinet was the same for the following two models. The top half of the speaker was connected to the bottom half with two cables - one for audio signals, one for motor power. |
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The 900 was replaced by model 910 that had the same features but was improved in design and durability. All of the 900-series Leslies had the early 9pin hook-up. They could be mated with guitars and other kinds of instruments with the Combo Preamp DeLuxe - essentially a Combo Preamp II with additional control buttons for the stationary channel (see the special page on the Combo Preamps).
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The top cabinet of Geoff's Leslie
910. Note the 'space generator' capacitor.
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The loudest of them all
The more successful model in the 900-series was the Pro 925. It had a
total of 140W amplifier output and better speakers (JBL) and is considered
to be the loudest Leslie of all. It had no built-in reverb, but had a
separate dry channel with four 6x9" speakers that could be turned on for
extra volume. There was no separate input for the 'dry' channel.
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The grille cloths have seen better days. |
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Model 950 |
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