Modding an M-101 for the road

[fluid69]

Hey guys! Ive been reading schematics, books, and web pages for the last couple of days. I have a HUUUGGGEEE collection of amp schematics, (both guitar and hifi), and pdf's of out of print books dealing with designing various tube circuits. Here's a couple of web pages that have some good info on reverb drivers and recovery:

http://www.valvewizard.co.uk/reverbdriver.html

http://www.dougcircuits.com/reverbtanks.html

I think Ive got it figured out mainly using the components the organ already has. Ill have to get atleast one pot, but just because I want a reverb control like I installed on my L, (1meg). I like to be able to dial in the verb. I've made a few sketchs that Ill try to scan and post tomorrow. If I have time this weekend, (we have a show friday, wish I could take the hammond!), I'll try to either do the "bass all the way down mod", or mess with my reverb.

When you guys get rid of your expression pedal, do you turn it all the way up and unhook the lever, or do you actually go in and bypass it in the circuit? Ive seen a few guys using guitar volume pedals. Do they use it at the end from a line out, or do they insert it in the circuit? If I bypass the expression pedal do I need to put a cap in its place? Any input on this would be greatly appreciated, thanks.

[Sweet Pete]

The 'expression pedal' is tone compensated,the quieter it becomes the bassier it gets.That way at low volumes it still has some 'balls'.Mess with the dry air capacitor,you change the classic sound.

Chops are not a time saver.They are a time waster.Anybody who knows Hammonds knows what a real B3 looks and sounds like.Then there are the 'Wanna B's' who insist on making an M3 look sorta like a B......go for it,knock yourself out.I dispense advice and opinion BASED ONLY ON MY NEARLY FIFTY YEARS OF PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE.

I'll stick with my complete unchopped '63 A100.Certainly haven't lost any gigs over it.......a B3 will not get me the 'Eric Clapton' gig.........LOL.....and a 'Wanna' B? Good luck with that.

I wish you all the best on your 'recase' and hope you play it more than fix it or look at it.

[fluid69]

BASED ONLY ON MY NEARLY FIFTY YEARS OF PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE.

I'll stick with my complete unchopped '63 A100.Certainly haven't lost any gigs over it.......a B3 will not get me the 'Eric Clapton' gig.........LOL.....and a 'Wanna' B? Good luck with that.

I wish you all the best on your 'recase' and hope you play it more than fix it or look at it.

I guess I must have missed something. How have I offended or upset you? I dont want a "B". I wish I could have found another L honestly, but there was none to be found in my area for a reasonable price. I would love to take my L with me and play it on stage, but there is NO WAY the drummer and I can move it around, especially in a timely fashion, (sometimes we do have to share a stage), even with a set of roll-or-kari's. That was the first option I looked into. As for it looking like a "B", I looked at pictures of probably hundreds of chops both amature and professional, and I like the retroliner. The organ that is pictured above is an A-100. The owner of the organ needed something a little more managable for taking to gigs. He obviously has more of a budget than I do, and Im willing to bet he is a superior player to myself, as probably are you. I cant even wrap my mind around your outburst. I have shown you nothing but respect. I said the following to you: "I know you know your stuff from what Ive read in other threads" & "thanks for chiming in". I listened to your advice, even though I didnt understand what you were saying exactly until analog explained it a little better. I even downloaded and read the whole A-100 service manual. I didnt ignore you, nor did I say I wouldnt try your suggestion. In fact I have every intention of trying it. Does it offend you that maybe I see things differently or have different needs from my organ than you do from yours? I play my L everyday. honestly, as much as I can. I have built three of the four guitars we use one stage, (I have probably a dozen, including fenders and gibsons). I have built one of the two amps we use on stage. Its my own design, inside and out. Its not a clone. Its not built from a kit. I made the chassis myself. It doesnt sound or look like any other amp. Im actually in the process of building a bass amp for my wife, (the bass player/singer). My point is, I know what I need from this organ, and I will get there one way or another. As for the expression pedal, thats why I asked. Thank you for your opinion. I've seen it done a few different ways, and have read different things on THIS forum, and wanted somebody else to give me their thoughts on it. I understand the cicuit and what it does, thats why asked for different opinions on it. I hope you understand that nothing I have said, done, or will do, was meant to disrespect you in anyway. I value everybody's experience and input on this forum, otherwise I wouldnt be here, and definitely wouldnt take the time to share what Im doing. If I've inadvertently offended anyone else, I do apologize. Feel free to speak up, and I will keep the rest of my project to myself. Thanks for reading.

[Derek inthesun]

I guess I must have missed something. How have I offended or upset you? I dont want a "B". I wish I could have found another L honestly, but there was none to be found in my area for a reasonable price. I would love to take my L with me and play it on stage, but there is NO WAY the drummer and I can move it around, especially in a timely fashion, (sometimes we do have to share a stage), even with a set of roll-or-kari's. That was the first option I looked into. As for it looking like a "B", I looked at pictures of probably hundreds of chops both amature and professional, and I like the retroliner. The organ that is pictured above is an A-100. The owner of the organ needed something a little more managable for taking to gigs. He obviously has more of a budget than I do, and Im willing to bet he is a superior player to myself, as probably are you. I cant even wrap my mind around your outburst. I have shown you nothing but respect. I said the following to you: "I know you know your stuff from what Ive read in other threads" & "thanks for chiming in". I listened to your advice, even though I didnt understand what you were saying exactly until analog explained it a little better. I even downloaded and read the whole A-100 service manual. I didnt ignore you, nor did I say I wouldnt try your suggestion. In fact I have every intention of trying it. Does it offend you that maybe I see things differently or have different needs from my organ than you do from yours? I play my L everyday. honestly, as much as I can. I have built three of the four guitars we use one stage, (I have probably a dozen, including fenders and gibsons). I have built one of the two amps we use on stage. Its my own design, inside and out. Its not a clone. Its not built from a kit. I made the chassis myself. It doesnt sound or look like any other amp. Im actually in the process of building a bass amp for my wife, (the bass player/singer). My point is, I know what I need from this organ, and I will get there one way or another. As for the expression pedal, thats why I asked. Thank you for your opinion. I've seen it done a few different ways, and have read different things on THIS forum, and wanted somebody else to give me their thoughts on it. I understand the cicuit and what it does, thats why asked for different opinions on it. I hope you understand that nothing I have said, done, or will do, was meant to disrespect you in anyway. I value everybody's experience and input on this forum, otherwise I wouldnt be here, and definitely wouldnt take the time to share what Im doing. If I've inadvertently offended anyone else, I do apologize. Feel free to speak up, and I will keep the rest of my project to myself. Thanks for reading.

I like the look of that. It may not be a b3 ( or t200... ) but very nice. Oh and don't let pete get to you, he just rates playing over tec thats all. I don't touch the inside of mine now it rebuilt and play it every day but just like every one here don't stop reading about everybody elses rebuilds and storys.
keep it up and don't stop posting.

Regards
Derek

[Sweet Pete]

Assuming a venue has a large enough stage for a Hammond,and no stairs with easy access I'm loaded in and set up in ten minutes.Including the Nord and monitor wedge.
I spend my time playing it,and have never needed to do major repairs.Some people like chops,that's fine.I don't.
L Hammond and D Leslie built these things,and I'm happy to play them both stock.Who am I to try and improve the already iconic gear?

That way I can work on my playing and that gets noticed more than any woodworking. Like I said,go for it if it makes you happy.I don't see how a chop can save time.

[Guest]

Imagine neck swap of a say 53 Strat with 56 Tele!!!

Things are very simple there - you gig a Hammond or you don't. If you do, you carry or you find somebody to carry for you. But if you won't, you don't. BTW chops are not sensibly lighter than stock at all. Not stable neither and may brake your legs. If you keep AO29/67 and AO35, 43, 66 whatever, you will start a fire on stage and burn the club.

If I had this dilemma, I'd go for clone, Hoax or hoaxed clone like XB2Hoax.

Mass and inertia are key components of the Hammond generation of "that" sound, in other proportions this applies for Leslies. It's all up to you of course. I'm sure that any investment in equipment will add value to the performance though. Economically speaking, chopping an instrument is not one of this kind.

Cheers,

[Analog]

Imagine neck swap of a say 53 Strat with 56 Tele!!!

Things are very simple there - you gig a Hammond or you don't. If you do, you carry or you find somebody to carry for you. But if you won't, you don't. BTW chops are not sensibly lighter than stock at all. Not stable neither and may brake your legs. If you keep AO29/67 and AO35, 43, 66 whatever, you will start a fire on stage and burn the club.

If I had this dilemma, I'd go for clone, Hoax or hoaxed clone like XB2Hoax.

Mass and inertia are key components of the Hammond generation of "that" sound, in other proportions this applies for Leslies. It's all up to you of course. I'm sure that any investment in equipment will add value to the performance though. Economically speaking, chopping an instrument is not one of this kind.

Cheers,

Amen to that brother.

[ptsmith]

Imagine neck swap of a say 53 Strat with 56 Tele!!!

Very hard to imagine indeed, as the first Strat was built in '54: http://www.gilmourish.com/?page_id=259

Sorry, I'm a guitar collector and couldn't help myself. ;)

[ptsmith]

I think this looks awesome. I also think everyone should do what's right for them and not worry what others think. You can't make everyone happy, so don't worry about it. So I say go for it, fluid69!

[Guest]

Very hard to imagine indeed, as the first Strat was built in '54: http://www.gilmourish.com/?page_id=259

Sorry, I'm a guitar collector and couldn't help myself. ;)

Good get!
However, according to what I see, George Fullerton has stated that he only assembled One strat prototype in late '53. Him and his father actually, as he commented in "The Stratocaster Chronicles", and confirmed in several interviews before his death. Check the archives, or really let your imagination to fulfill the purpose of the illustration that was intended.

Cheers,

[ptsmith]

Boyan, No one would question Clapton if he swapped necks on vintage Fenders. So why shouldn't anyone else do it?

I still say if it's yours, do whatever you want to it. No need to seek permission or approval from others.

[Guest]

Fluid69 does what he wants but he asked for opinions. Mine is negative because I know that from the organ ment for a chop, nobody can make the organ from the picture, some of the reasons have been mentioned. And still 2 men will be needed to trottle it.

[Sweet Pete]

I guess I must have missed something. How have I offended or upset you? I dont want a "B". I wish I could have found another L honestly, but there was none to be found in my area for a reasonable price. I would love to take my L with me and play it on stage, but there is NO WAY the drummer and I can move it around, especially in a timely fashion, (sometimes we do have to share a stage), even with a set of roll-or-kari's. That was the first option I looked into. As for it looking like a "B", I looked at pictures of probably hundreds of chops both amature and professional, and I like the retroliner. The organ that is pictured above is an A-100. The owner of the organ needed something a little more managable for taking to gigs. He obviously has more of a budget than I do, and Im willing to bet he is a superior player to myself, as probably are you. I cant even wrap my mind around your outburst. I have shown you nothing but respect. I said the following to you: "I know you know your stuff from what Ive read in other threads" & "thanks for chiming in". I listened to your advice, even though I didnt understand what you were saying exactly until analog explained it a little better. I even downloaded and read the whole A-100 service manual. I didnt ignore you, nor did I say I wouldnt try your suggestion. In fact I have every intention of trying it. Does it offend you that maybe I see things differently or have different needs from my organ than you do from yours? I play my L everyday. honestly, as much as I can. I have built three of the four guitars we use one stage, (I have probably a dozen, including fenders and gibsons). I have built one of the two amps we use on stage. Its my own design, inside and out. Its not a clone. Its not built from a kit. I made the chassis myself. It doesnt sound or look like any other amp. Im actually in the process of building a bass amp for my wife, (the bass player/singer). My point is, I know what I need from this organ, and I will get there one way or another. As for the expression pedal, thats why I asked. Thank you for your opinion. I've seen it done a few different ways, and have read different things on THIS forum, and wanted somebody else to give me their thoughts on it. I understand the cicuit and what it does, thats why asked for different opinions on it. I hope you understand that nothing I have said, done, or will do, was meant to disrespect you in anyway. I value everybody's experience and input on this forum, otherwise I wouldnt be here, and definitely wouldnt take the time to share what Im doing. If I've inadvertently offended anyone else, I do apologize. Feel free to speak up, and I will keep the rest of my project to myself. Thanks for reading.

Sorry you don't agree with my take on things.I'm sure you'll be thrilled with your 'recased' M101.If you can have the M101 with 'verb you'll have a great sounding organ.M100 has the nicest vibrato chorus of any organ Hammond built IMO.I drive a full size panel van,and own a ramp and roll-or-karis so a 'recase' isn't on my radar.My commitment to using a Hammond/Leslie is more than most
folks are willing to work for.I polled this Forum,and to my knowledge am the ONLY regular user of an A100/147 for gigs on here.A few players sometimes use a console or spinet.Most use a clone.

My main point is to clarify the 'expression pedal' issue.You'll need all that working 'stock' to get the classic sound.IMO you'll also need the AO 'verb amp to get the proper overdrive and 'verb sound.
Not exactly sure how it will fit in a case like you pictured.

[jdoc]

"M101 with 'verb you'll have a great sounding organ.M100 has the nicest vibrato chorus of any organ Hammond built IMO"
M101 is the sweetest sounding of the hammonds i have played, light years ahead of a L100 sonically....in my experience
There are thousands of hammond spinets in North America, chopping one to use is better then guitar players stealing the tubes and speakers and ending up in a landfill.....there, i said it:devil:
fluid69, take no offence, we are a diverse and passionate bunch

[Jamers302]

"There are thousands of hammond spinets in North America, chopping one to use is better then guitar players stealing the tubes and speakers and ending up in a landfill.....there, i said it

I agree 100%