Gassin for a Hammond

denton57 · #1 01-27-2008, 08:06 PM

I developed a serious GAS attack for a Hammond this weekend. Actually it has been building for months, but this weekend I have been searching.

I have been looking at a M3, the baby B3 for basically house use. Anyone with experience with the spinet Hammonds? Also, theres a A-100 a few hours away for around $600 more... What should I do? BTW, I cant play organ......YET!

Taylor Livingston · #2 01-28-2008, 03:05 AM

I find that organs show up on Craigslist constantly, often for $100 or so (Hammonds included). It's possible that I live in a Hammond-rich area (New Orleans), but I bet you could find something similar if you watch CL and wait for something good. Since they are so heavy, you usually don't have nationwide competition for them. Make sure all the keys work before paying. Also, a lot of the famous Hammond sound is really from the Leslie (you probably knew that already, but in case you didn't), so without that you only have half of the picture.

73jbass · #3 01-28-2008, 04:01 AM

You could check out a used Korg X-3. They sound absolutely awesome,and a lot easier to carry around. Some players like them better than the version that Hammond makes.

tplyons · #4 01-28-2008, 10:43 AM

I picked up a minty M-111 (same as JPJ used with Zep) for $100 on Craigslist locally. Don't count these little spinets out, they're great pieces of equipment.

stretchcat · #5 01-28-2008, 10:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 73jbass

You could check out a used Korg X-3. They sound absolutely awesome,and a lot easier to carry around. Some players like them better than the version that Hammond makes.

+1
It's actually a CX-3 and yes, it sounds great.

Peck_Time · #6 01-28-2008, 03:23 PM

Go for the A-100! they're a B-3 with speakers built in. The spinets sound good (if they're tonewheel), but the M3 only goes down to a low F (the big Hammonds go down to a C).

Rule Number 1: Don't buy a Hammond without tonewheels expecting the classic Hammond sound!

Rule Number 2: Any organ sounds good if it goes through a decent Leslie (144 or 122 or others with bass and treble rotors).

denton57 · #7 01-30-2008, 09:05 PM

I'm gonna get it Saturday! Hammond M3.

Bard2dbone · #8 01-31-2008, 02:45 AM

Pics and soundclips at your earliest convenience, please. Pleeeeeease.

**mr sprocket** · #9 01-31-2008, 10:19 AM

Hmmmm.... Now I want an organ again. Like moving bass equipment is not bad enough though.

The CX-3 is pretty slick.

I keep trying to find a good Leslie simulator though. Those can be a real pain to move.

metron · #10 01-31-2008, 10:44 AM

I bought a few vintage keyboards last year and I cant play. yet.

So I know how it is. The Hammond is on my short list of things to get hopefully a B, C, or A10x. Many of the spinets are good, many are not. I would personally only want the M3 spinet. But if you can get an A100 for $600 (without major issues) I wouldnt hesitate to get that. They typically sell for 2 or 3 times that now.

A proper Leslie is essential!

Chad Michael · #11 01-31-2008, 10:59 AM

The local shop "Northwest Organ" had a restored M3 for sale, I wanted it bad.

I'll never forget hearing a real Leslie in person, for the first time either.

Here's a clip you might enjoy...

http://media.speakeasyvintagemusic.c...i-system-demo/

denton57 · #12 01-31-2008, 01:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by metron

I bought a few vintage keyboards last year and I cant play. yet.

So I know how it is. The Hammond is on my short list of things to get hopefully a B, C, or A10x. Many of the spinets are good, many are not. I would personally only want the M3 spinet. But if you can get an A100 for $600 (without major issues) I wouldnt hesitate to get that. They typically sell for 2 or 3 times that now.

A proper Leslie is essential!

Well the A100 started bidding a $1000, but ended up a $1500 something...Anyway, mine will be a one family owned M3 in
great shape with a Leslie half moon switch and hookups for $400. I am excited, even though I have to drive 4 hrs one way to get it!

**baba** · #13 01-31-2008, 01:57 PM

Nord Electro

BartmanPDX · #14 01-31-2008, 02:03 PM

My best friend has a fully-restored 1936 (first year they made them, IIRC) Model A, along with a chopped B-3, and a number of other Hammonds and Leslies.

Peck_Time is right about the tonewheels and the Leslie. Nothing sounds quite like a real hammond through a Leslie, but there are things that can get close and aren't a huge pain to move.

I was with a band that had a B-3 and a Leslie 122/tone cab setup. It was the biggest pain in the *** to move, but it was worth it for the sound. What a sound.

metron · #15 01-31-2008, 03:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by denton57

Well the A100 started bidding a $1000, but ended up a $1500 something...Anyway, mine will be a one family owned M3 in
great shape with a Leslie half moon switch and hookups for $400. I am excited, even though I have to drive 4 hrs one way to get it!

Nice hope it works out!

My minimal experience with keyboards so far is that something like a Hammond organ with no sustain are not ideal to learn on. Same thing with my clavinet, it takes a different technique.

But if you are bit by the vintage keyboard bug and want to start learning, keep a lookout for a Wurlitzer electric piano. The 700 series spinets are not easy to spot so they can be had for cheap because people just dont know what they are. I scored a 700 and a 720 locally last summer for $500 and $250. Now I take lessons and practice on the Wurly regularly. I started a thread on them in this forum.

denton57 · #16 01-31-2008, 10:28 PM

Yeah, I'm not expecting to sound like the Alllman Bros or Santana or anything. I just want something to pluck around on that can be used for recording when jamming at my house. I am planning on starting lessons again though, this time for keys. Im hoping to see music in a different light....like not on a fretboard.

deaf pea · #17 01-31-2008, 11:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mr sprocket

...I keep trying to find a good Leslie simulator though. Those can be a real pain to move.

Our band uses a Hammond/Suzuki XK-1 through a MotionSound Pro-3X . . . sounds pretty good, and it's super portable.

The MotionSound Pro-3X has 2 real rotating horns with a simulated (mono) low rotor output . . . it also has a built-in mic for the high rotors and a high/low balance controling a 1/4" output to feed the PA . . . a good value at about $800 street price . . .

hbarcat · #18 02-01-2008, 11:18 AM

I picked up an M-3 for $100 at an estate sale and it's awesome. There's a guy in Chicago who used to work in the original Hammond factory when they made the tonewheels and he now does repair/rebuild work. It's called M + S organ, and he has a huge warehouse crammed full of Hammonds.

bassjus · #19 02-02-2008, 09:21 AM

I've got a J, it doesn't have the tonewheel so it doesn't quite have the classic hammond sound, but it's got a leslie built in, which is the reason i got it (free). I've been planning on taking the leslie out and building it to it's own box so I can use it for other things. Although I don't know if it's worth it.

bigtexashonk · #20 02-02-2008, 10:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by denton57

I developed a serious GAS attack for a Hammond this weekend. Actually it has been building for months, but this weekend I have been searching.

I have been looking at a M3, the baby B3 for basically house use. Anyone with experience with the spinet Hammonds? Also, theres a A-100 a few hours away for around $600 more... What should I do? BTW, I cant play organ......YET!

I've got a 1955 M3 in excellent condition with the bench for sale. Located in the DFW area ... any interest?

Jeff