New (old!) M3

[Guest]

I have a new-to-me Hammond M3. I have been reading so much about this thing, and I know I need some oil on it. However, the organ only has one switch on the front of the cabinet. Everything seems to be in place behind the cabinet, but nothing comes on. What should be my next step for troubleshooting? The on switch is placed inside a metal or aluminum tube, under the left manual. Does this make sense? Any help is appreciated!

Thanks</P>


Yad</P>

[toasterDude]

Re: New (old!) M3



Are you sure this is really an M3? If it is, it sounds like it's been modded - a stock M3 wouldn't have an on-switch mounted like that, or in that location... and a stock M3 has two motors (start and run), so it should actuallyhave two switches. The original pair of switches would be mounted on the cabinet, underneath the manuals on the right side as you're sitting at the organ.</P>


Do you see anything like that?</P>

[Guest]

Re: New (old!) M3



Ok, found the right switches (duh!). I was able to get the starter motor going, but the generator won't keep running. It stops, and feels as if there is some sort of resistance. When the power is off, everything spins freely. It's weird. Any suggestions?</P>


Thanks again</P>

[Guest]

Re: New (old!) M3

sounds like you need to lube it up with some hammond oil. only use hammond oil, not 3 in 1 oil or wd40 or whatever other lubricants you can find.

[tonewheel1966]

Re: New (old!) M3



Are you doing the proper starting ritual?</P>


Hold Start switch for 10-15 seconds until up to speed, keep holding it and flip the Run switch, hold the Start switch for another 5 or so seconds and then release. </P>


Sound should come out of it after 30 secs or so once the tubes are warmed up.</P>


Cheers</P>


Dave</P>


PS People have different ideas on the exact amount of seconds to hold the switches so I expect to be corrected by some one but this works for me!</P>

[Guest]

Re: New (old!) M3



Ok. After LOTS of turning, hammond oil on the skin, and a slight case of electrocution, I have sound! It's very cool! I just don't have any "C" notes. No pedal, and none of the manuals play C. So, I check the tone wheels for #49 and #67 (I think) after reviewing this forum. </P>


Watching the tone wheels for these notes, I see the tonewheels themselves do not engage with the main shaft of the tone generator. The note, or bakelite wheel, needs to move to the left, as you're looking at the whole piece, but I don't see how this is possible. Either that, or the main shaft brass gears need to be moved on the shaft. IfI slide a long piece of coat hanger into the tone wheel, I am able to get the tonewheel to start spinning, but it doesn't last long. The note fades out. </P>


Everything else works great!
</P>


P.S. A leslie speaker connection was installed, and would not allow the sound to come through the original speaker. I removed the speaker plug while plugged in. ZAP!! Don't taze me bro!</P>

[Brendon Wright]

Re: New (old!) M3



YOW!</p>

I know that feeling well! To think they used to do that to stop folks feeling "mental".</p>

It's been ages since I've been on a thread with my old mate tonewheel1966, bytheway, G'day Dave!</p>

Yad, does the wheel seem to be jamming, or is it completely loose, freewheeling and ignoring the shaft? </p>

-Brendoon</p>

[Guest]

Re: New (old!) M3



The bakelite wheel is completely freewheeling, ignoring the main shaft's brass or bronze gear.</P>


Thanks</P>

[TheAdmiral]

Re: New (old!) M3

[quote user="yad"]

I removed the speaker plug while plugged in. ZAP!! Don't taze me bro!</p>

[/quote]</p>

It sounds like you have a field coil speaker if you got zapped. Do you have 4 wires going from the plug to the speaker? If so you need to keep that speaker plugged in as you're removing an important resister from the circuit and could ruin your amp without it. What is the complete AO-29-?? number on the right side of the amp? </p>

You need to read up on all the M3 info on this site. There is enough info on the forum to solve most any problem. If your tonewheels are stuck then you need to lift up the generator and spray each with WD40 followed by a re-oiling. That might help free them up. Poking in there with a wire is a good way to ruin your generator permanently.
</p>

[Guest]

Re: New (old!) M3

I've read everything I can about tonewheels and oiling, but the tonewheels are not stuck. You can spin the C's with your finger, and they spin forever. They just aren't engaging with the main shaft of the generator. Does this make sense? It's like the brass gears of the main shaft are too far to one side to engage the notes.

[Brendon Wright]

Re: New (old!) M3



Hmm...</p>

I haven't looked under my TG lately(or TWG, whichever you prefer to call your tone generator) I'd have to do that to get an idea of the mechanism.</p>

I do recall seeing a diagram online of it though, lifted from one of the service manuals. I'll lookin my folders to see if it's what we're after, and if there's a link we can follow.</p>

Otherwise, in the meantime visit "the internet archive"http://www.archive.org/search.php?query=hammond%20organwhere Blue Tantra and others have posted hammond service manuals and things.</p>

There's an M series service manual, and I also recommend the early consoles manual, which may have more info on the TG mechanism.</p>

</p>