Hammond Organ

[Leland47]

can anyone tell me if this organ is tube type?

Any info on that separate speaker or tone cabinet?

Thanks!

 

[slimpikkins]

We have a very similar one at our church and it is tube. The speaker in ours has a large woofer marked Hammond and three smaller ones with a motor which spins slowly like a fan in front of them for effects.

Ours has a stereo amp but we only have room for one speaker as they are huge. I'm guessing the one in the picture is tube. If you bring a flashlight you would be able to see through the milled slots on the back side without removing anything.

 

[Dswankey]

I don't have an answer either way however if it is tubed and you do get it please post pictures of it on your car.

I'm not trying to clown you or anything like I just get a kick out of the pics you post with the various different consoles you've strapped on the back of your car.

As for the separate speaker/tone cabinet and I'm just guessing a Leslie?

 

[HyKlas]

Looks like a C2 but it's hard to say for sure. Definitely C2 or older since there's no percussion. Realistic price in unrestored but functional condition is in the range of $500. A later model with smooth drawbars might bring a little more but not much.

 

[Leland47]

I was going to put a Baldwin on my car one time.... but the seller stopped me. Good thing cause the weight probably would have busted the rear window!

Did some research.... not as many tubes in a Hammond as were in the Baldwin.

 

[HyKlas]

Nope, you don't pilfer tubes from old tonewheel Hammonds. You restore and play them.

Should have seen the Mrs and I wrestling these things around... After the last one she said no more organs. Talking a bit over 300lbs here.

 

[hammr7]

I am the king of the organ salvage, but there are a few I won't touch. There are some really nice older organs from Allen and Rodgers that can stand on their merits, even today. Most of those are solid state. The nicer tube organs from most manufacturers are so old it simply isn't worth while to keep them going unless it is a personal labor of love. The electronic maintenance can get overwhelming.

The one exception is the Hammond. The B3, and all other Hammonds which can sound a bit like it (most everything with a Hammond tonewheel) are favored heavily by musicians and studios for their distinctive sound. The C2 is reasonably close, enough (in sound and in parts) that it usually has more value intact, or parted specifically for the purpose of keeping other Hammonds operational.

Many of the Leslie tone cabinets that were paired with Hammond organs can demand decent money. They are desirable to both organists and guitarists. But that tone cabinet in the picture is not a Leslie. It is one of the earlier generation of tone cabinets made by Hammond. Their tone is different and can be complimentary (to a Leslie) for an experienced organist. That tone cabinet looks like a 1950's JR20. Its value is no where near the best of the Leslies. It does, however, have a great reverb effect if that is something you are into. It takes a bit of patience to set it up right.

 

[EVBoy]

Locally, you can't give tube organs away. Nobody wants them except for flippers who gut them and sell the amps.

 

[Leland47]

Thanks!