Hammond Organ

Hopeful · 09-12-2008, 11:24 AM

I was in a band that had a B3. It sounded wonderful, but you had to have the separate Leslie speaker cab to go with it because of the sound produced through that rotating speaker. It always took at least 4 people to get either piece up stairs and it was a pain. Was it worth it? I'm not sure. It really wore us out and the band was together for a few years.

Just recently, I played a gig where there was a newer Leslie speaker cab which seemed more compact than the old furniture piece I was familiar with. And, the guy playing it was also playing a more compact and portable Hammond. The combo sounded great in my book and the difference between the old and new was not discernible to me. I mean, the names Hammond and Leslie belong with each other, but I don't think you absolutely need a B3 to get a great sound. I thought to myself, "boy, we sure could have used this setup back then." It sounds however, like the one you have is not anywhere near a B3 and that's okay - but it would help to have the separate cab, especially with the speaker problems you mentioned. And, it looks heavy, so even if you get the separate cab, I don't look forward to carting something like that to gigs and practices. On the other hand, young people might be okay with that...

**Rainer.** · 09-12-2008, 11:29 AM

I dunno, a full Hammond XK would be pretty sweet, IMO.

Almost Enough · 09-12-2008, 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hopeful

I was in a band that had a B3. It sounded wonderful, but you had to have the separate Leslie speaker cab to go with it because of the sound produced through that rotating speaker. It always took at least 4 people to get either piece up stairs and it was a pain. Was it worth it? I'm not sure. It really wore us out and the band was together for a few years.

Just recently, I played a gig where there was a newer Leslie speaker cab which seemed more compact than the old furniture piece I was familiar with. And, the guy playing it was also playing a more compact and portable Hammond. The combo sounded great in my book and the difference between the old and new was not discernible to me. I mean, the names Hammond and Leslie belong with each other, but I don't think you absolutely need a B3 to get a great sound. I thought to myself, "boy, we sure could have used this setup back then." It sounds however, like the one you have is not anywhere near a B3 and that's okay - but it would help to have the separate cab, especially with the speaker problems you mentioned. And, it looks heavy, so even if you get the separate cab, I don't look forward to carting something like that to gigs and practices. On the other hand, young people might be okay with that...

The drummer's older brother is a capenter and he got all excited because he got a chance to make a really cool carry cart for something. I got all excited because he wants to make it for free

.

Almost Enough · 10-15-2008, 06:16 PM

UPDATE!!!!

I took what I wanted out of that old clunker and threw it out. It wasn't worth my time or my effort. (More about that later).

I just picked up a Hammond M3 and a Hammond M102 for free.

I'm excited. Pictures later. Let's just say they are GORGEOUS, inside and out. I have no room in my house now, but I don't even care.

Almost Enough · 10-16-2008, 12:51 AM

I've got some pictures!

First, the M-3:

Almost Enough · 10-16-2008, 12:54 AM

Next up, the M-102:

LWatford · 10-16-2008, 02:13 PM

M-3 is the keeper of the bunch I think. I'd add foldback (if you want to move it closer to the "big" hammonds), cut it down as much as possible, and add a leslie kit and leslie. Awesome on the cheap.

http://www.sympac.com.au/~retrojet/foldback.htm