L-143 question.... keyclick!

[Jeffguy11]

I just got my second L100 organ (the first was an L101 that was junk, and now this L143 which is MINT! I want more keyclick out of it, since the L's werent exactly known for this. I found this website: http://www1.tripnet.se/~flm/hammond/diff.htm#keyclick but im trying to figure out how to tell which resistor is the C203. I cant tell by where hes pointing in the picture... any help from someone whos done this mod? I have all the spare amps from the other organ so i wanted to try it out and see how i like the sound. thanks in advance for any help!!!

[Brendon Wright]

Re: L-143 question.... keyclick!



Aha!</P>


You need the L service manual!!!</P>


Blue Tantra posted up some manuals here:</P>


http://www.archive.org/search.php?query=hammond%20organ</P>


either he or someone else has recently posted the L series manual.</P>


Good luck!!!</P>


-Brendon</P>

[johnny b3]

Re: L-143 question.... keyclick!



I think i did this mod:</p>

<font color="#000000">Put a 1.8 meg resistor in series with the C
203</font></p>

but I can't remember if I changed R203 to 10 meg in the following example. If I were to guess, I only did the above mod. I think it sounds good. Its not too harsh of a change but definitely brings out some keyclick. </p>

</p>

http://www.sendspace.com/file/tfy0hn</p>

</p>

Here is the wiring diagram for the percussion amp, should clear things up!
</p>

[gientke]

Re: L-143 question.... keyclick!



Jeff, let me just come back from this very boring holiday (spent with family...[:(]) and I'll take a photo to show you the very capacitor that 'must' be removed. I haven't removed it as it makes the click nice and warm. It may change when I try Kon's overdrive. It may need extra dirt to sound good... like more keyclick.
</p>

C203 is located in preamp section of Percussion/Preamp box. When you look at the circuit the way that 12AX7 valve is on your right. On the above photo you can see matching transformer on the right. C203 is located between 1st contact from the right (bottom row) and 3rd contact (top row). Between those two contacts you should have C203 and R203 in parallel.</p>

Have fun!</p>

Kris
</p>

[Jeffguy11]

Re: L-143 question.... keyclick!

Thanks for the help so far... ive found the c203 and r203.... now i just need to know howto go about finding those resistors to replace them.... any sort of part number u guys can help me with? if not iwas thinking of just printing that website with the instructions and going to a radio shack

[gientke]

Re: L-143 question.... keyclick!



I'm not sure I'm with you Jeff, </p>

but to get sharp keyclick you only need to remove C203. Just cut the wire without removing the capacitor - in case you want it back. No C203 increases treble response of the sound. C203 has no effect on percussion though.
</p>

I buy resistors and capacitors on eBay - like everything else because it's easy.
</p>

[johnny b3]

Re: L-143 question.... keyclick!



R203 - 4.7 or 5.6 Meg (confirm by using a multimeter on the resistor...or open up a resistor colour band chart to figure out the value)
</p>

C203 - 39pf / 500V (also can be confirmed but you need a more sophisticated multimeter to probably test, and you'd also need to fully remove the component to test it. It should be marked right one it...)
</p>

Those are the stock values. So play around with others in close range. Find a local electronics store they usually carry bins and bins filled with every type of cap and resistor. Ebay seems to be a lot of work for one or two little parts. Other online retailers like Mouser are also helpful.
</p>

</p>

</p>

[Jeffguy11]

Re: L-143 question.... keyclick!



</p>

hmmmm</p>

my c203 isnt like the pic in the manual... it runs parallel to r203. I guess i'll just try removing it and see what it sounds like. is this normal for it to be like this?
</p>

[tonewheel1966]

Re: L-143 question.... keyclick!



There are two types of amp. I think one replaced the other and the one on my old L100 was not the same as the one on that website.</p>

Mine was a UK model that also had earthing and a 3 core power cable. I think the organ was a 1967 if I remember correctly.</p>

Cheers</p>

Dave</p>

[gientke]

Re: L-143 question.... keyclick!



My C203 isn't like that one either. It's probably like yours. </p>

As for different amps - L100 have two different vibrato amps depending on its age, preamp should be the same in every L100. That is according to the manual.[:P]</p>

The guy has already made some changes when he posted those pics. Resistors and capacitors may be different to the original ones.
</p>

[tonewheel1966]

Re: L-143 question.... keyclick!

I wonder if they modified the amp when they switched to Mylar caps. The change would have probably been described in the Hammond "Green Sheets" for service technicians