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Korg CX-3 (1980)

Single-manual analog clonewheel organ from Korg — the company first dedicated Hammond-style instrument and the one credited, by journalist Gordon Reid, with having "come close to emulating the true depth and passion of a vintage Hammond."^[raw/articles/wikipedia-clonewheel-organ.md]

Position in the family

  • Korg CX-3 (1980) — the analog original.
  • Korg BX-3 (1980) — dual-manual sibling, also analog.
  • Korg New CX-3 / New BX-3 (2000) — re-released with updated modeling and effects for the 2000s.^[raw/articles/wikipedia-clonewheel-organ.md]

Why it matters

The CX-3 and the Roland VK-1 (released the same year) mark the moment where early analog "Hammond-shaped" clonewheels started to credibly imitate a real B-3 — after decades of synthesizer-voiced attempts that failed to capture the upper harmonics and Leslie behavior. Both were widely adopted by touring bands and club-date organists who could not lug a real B-3 around.^[raw/articles/wikipedia-clonewheel-organ.md]