Speakeasy Vintage Music

Even a Leslie can develop a fault eventually. Recently, while touring Europe, the 147 that was traveling with James Taylor’s band took a nose dive.

Unsure of what to do their tech contacted me and I lent a hand, via email.

This isn’t just something we’d do for a star either – I do this almost everyday – new owners and old, average joes to headlineing acts.

When it was all said and done, here’s what their tech had to say:

Dear Ted Thompson of Speakeasy Vintage Music,

Thank you for your long-distance help with repairing James Taylor’s Speakeasy 147 Leslie Loudspeaker.

We purchased this loudspeaker from Speakeasy Vintage Music a few years ago and have enjoyed tremedous troublefree service with it for touring and recording. However, during this most recent European tour, we had a faulty preamp speedswitch damage both a Korg CX3 keyboard and the Leslie 147 amplifier. We immediately fell back onto a synthesized rotary speaker scheme that did get us through the next few shows but James and the band were hoping we wouldn’t have to go through the rest of the European tour without our Speakeasy 147.

Even though the 147 was well out of warranty, you helped me troubleshoot the damage and effect repairs by email as we traveled from city to city in Europe. Your responses to my questions were always prompt, detailed and helpful; we were without the 147 for only three shows over four days as you helped guide me through diagnostics and testing.

As of now, we are back to having an excellent compact touring system consisting of a Korg CX3 organ, the Speakeasy Vintage Tube Preamp, and the Speakeasy 147 Leslie rotary loudspeaker. Our original Hammond preamp speedswitch that caused the problems has been retired to a “junk trunk.”

Ted, your products are well-made, sound great, are extremely robust (critical for touring), and you back it up with great customer service! I highly recommend you, your company and products.

Thank you again very, very much.

Best Regards,
Mark Konrad
Piano & Keyboards Tech
James Taylor & CHICAGO

Mike Ian, member of the Geri Mingori Band, will be performing in Atlantic City on the 26th of June, 2009. In his rig, and featured on many songs, is his custom Roadbox II rotary cabinet.

The band debuts their fourth CD “Save Yourself” at the show which is anticipated to be their most accessible musical project yet. The Shell Theater located in Atlantic City at Trump Marina Hotel Casino is an intimate, comfortable theater. It has showcased (more…)

Phil Lesh, bass player for the Grateful Dead began his second annual “Philathon” at NYC’s Nokia Theater on Oct 31. Playing to sold out houses through Nov 18.

Phil and the band are playing on gear supplied by NYC’s Best Instrument Rentals. Included in the rental package are 2 Speakeasy Roadbox rotary speakers, and a vintage Leslie™ tone cabinet upgraded to Roadbox specs.

Jackie Greene on the stage right side is playing a modified B2 with smooth drawbars through a Speakeasy Roadbox on a JBL sub.

Steve Molitz on the stage right side is playing a Roland VK-8 through a Speakeasy Preamp split to a Road Box and a BIR Hot Rod. (The BIR Hot Rod is a vintage Leslie™ cabinet outfitted with Roadbox internal parts.

All those shows and no issues of any kind!

Perry Winston owner of BIR (Best Instrument Rentals – New York) says:

…We selected the Speakeasy products because we needed bullet proof reliability and true vintage tone. We depend on these leslies every day for TV shows, concerts and recording sessions in NYC. Steve Hays has built an excellent product and I know I can count on him for the support 24/7/365