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organ from “green onions” by booker t. & the m.g.'s | ToneDB

green onions

booker t. & the m.g.'s

organ

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Tone Profile

Classic, soulful organ tone with a slightly dirty and percussive character. It's the quintessential Hammond organ sound, raw and energetic, forming the backbone of a timeless instrumental hit.

Gear

Hammond B3instrument
Reverb$8500Sweetwater
Leslie 122amp
ReverbSweetwater
AKG D12microphone
ReverbSweetwater

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The Story

Booker T. Jones used a Hammond B3 organ running through a Leslie 122 rotating speaker cabinet to create the iconic sound on "Green Onions." The track was recorded at Stax Records in Memphis with the organ's natural tube warmth and the Leslie's rotating horn and baffle creating the characteristic swirling, percussive tone. The recording captured the raw energy of the Hammond through a straightforward signal chain that became a template for countless soul and R&B recordings.

Production Credits

Producer: Jim Stewart

Engineer: Chips Moman

Recorded at: Stax Records, Memphis

Signal Chain

Instrument: Hammond B3

Amp: Leslie 122

Microphone: AKG D12

Recreation Tips

  • Start with a Hammond B3 or a high-quality virtual instrument emulation.
  • Use a Leslie speaker simulator plugin or, ideally, a real Leslie cabinet.
  • Adjust the speed of the Leslie's rotary effect to match the song's vibe.
  • Add a touch of overdrive or tube saturation to emulate the slightly gritty tone.
  • EQ the organ to emphasize the midrange frequencies for a punchy sound.

Original Gear

  • Hammond B3(keyboard)
  • Leslie 122(amp)
  • AKG D12(mic)

Substitutions & Recommendations

Hammond XK-5 Drawbar Organ$2500-$3000

Alternative to: Hammond B3

Modern Hammond with authentic drawbar section and built-in Leslie simulation that captures the B3's harmonic complexity and percussive attack

ReverbSweetwater
IK Multimedia Hammond B-3X Plugin$200-$300

Alternative to: Hammond B3

Detailed B3 emulation with authentic tonewheel generation and harmonic percussion, plus integrated Leslie modeling

ReverbSweetwater
Neo Instruments Ventilator II$300-$400

Alternative to: Leslie 122

Accurate Leslie speaker simulation with separate horn and rotor controls that recreates the 122's signature Doppler effect and tube warmth

ReverbSweetwater
Numa Organ 2$800-$1000

Alternative to: Hammond B3 + Leslie 122

Budget-friendly option with real drawbars and integrated Leslie simulation that captures the essential elements of the classic Hammond sound

ReverbSweetwater
Strymon Lex$300-$350

Alternative to: Leslie 122

Premium Leslie rotary speaker emulation with tube preamp modeling and authentic slow/fast switching for the swirling Leslie effect

ReverbSweetwater

Sources

Frequently Asked Questions

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