M3, what I plan to do with it and SSP-3A sound

[freiburg]

I recently acquired an M3. The wood is in bad shape.

I want to have the real Hammond sound on stage, so I plan to put the internals of my M3 in a new "portable" cabinet.

Nevertheless I would restore the original cabinet and keep it. In my eyes the M3 is a very nice organ. I want to have the option to convert back to an original M3 whenever I like. Also Hammonds of almost every type are quite rare in Switzerland. So destroying something is not an option.

I am just thinking of using a solid state pre amp (SSP-3A) in my portable version to save some weight, of course also keeping the tube pre amp for later use in the original cabinet.

How do they sound compared to the tube amp? Is this a good idea (from the money side it isn't I guess....)?

Christian

[geoelectro]

The SSP-3A is the industry standard. In preamp only models like BV/CV B2/C2 etc. you would be hard pressed to tell the difference. In fact, swapping out the old preamp usually makes that organ sound better by having a preamp that sounds like the old ones did when they were new. Getting rid of static and hum. And you can add percussion and reverb as improvements.

I have not heard of using one on an M-3 spinet. You might want to check with Mike at Trek II. The preamps are tailored differently for different models.

The only thing that might be negative is the percussion sounds SLIGHTLY different from the original. Of course getting percussion on an organ that didn't have it originally is nothing but gain. The M-3 though does have it. Secondly, the expression pot will wear over time. We have to replace them after about 5 years or so depending on usage.

The design is bullet proof and makes Hammond Organs much more reliable. With over 25 years of installing them I've never had to repair one, just change out the expression pot.

Geo

[Sweet Pete]

Member Boyan installed an AO28 preamp in his M102 split, so a -3 type will work on an M3. I agree also with Geo,the TrekII is bulletproof.

[Guest]

Fact!
Down stepped to 110V, an AO28 is fully operational in my 230V M102 Transportable. It is great for a chop as doesn't dissipate all that heat. Cheaper then the SS amp as well and needs 1 hour install. You lose good deal of wait. With Motion Sound line out you may connect guitar amps. With balanced GG you know what to do,

I lost the reverb but now M102 connects to a PR 40 and a 22H amped Leslie.

Cheers,

[Analog]

Fact!
Down stepped to 110V, an AO28 is fully operational in my 230V M102 Transportable. It is great for a chop as doesn't dissipate all that heat. Cheaper then the SS amp as well and needs 1 hour install. You lose good deal of wait. With Motion Sound line out you may connect guitar amps. With balanced GG you know what to do,

I lost the reverb but now M102 connects to a PR 40 and a 22H amped Leslie.

Cheers,

Give us a Youtube demo :)

[freiburg]

Thank you guys for these quick answers!

Another question concerning my wish to save weight and space in my "portable" M3. Do you agree that I could swap my big vibrato line box against a smaller one used in later M3 spinets? I looked at the schematics of the different M3 versions. Of course the schematics of the line box are different, but the rest around the linebox looks the same in all versions.

Christian

- - - Updated - - -

Fact!
Down stepped to 110V, an AO28 is fully operational in my 230V M102 Transportable. It is great for a chop as doesn't dissipate all that heat. Cheaper then the SS amp as well and needs 1 hour install. You lose good deal of wait. With Motion Sound line out you may connect guitar amps. With balanced GG you know what to do,

I lost the reverb but now M102 connects to a PR 40 and a 22H amped Leslie.

Cheers,

How much weight do you loose by swapping the original amp against an AO-28 ???

[Guest]

Give us a Youtube demo :)

Now all functionality, plain pedals included(latching spring removal and wiring) is available.
Back then, this was my artistic approach to the issue:

[Guest]

Thank you guys for these quick answers!

Another question concerning my wish to save weight and space in my "portable" M3. Do you agree that I could swap my big vibrato line box against a smaller one used in later M3 spinets? I looked at the schematics of the different M3 versions. Of course the schematics of the line box are different, but the rest around the linebox looks the same in all versions.

Christian

- - - Updated - - -



How much weight do you loose by swapping the original amp against an AO-28 ???

Only the PT of the AO67(29) was heavier than the whole ao28!
3 speakers, two power amps, reverb spring lot of wiring, pedals if you include them, I'll be guessing ~35 kg?!?

[Analog]

Now all functionality, plain pedals included(latching spring removal and wiring) is available.
Back then, this was my artistic approach to the issue:

Great stuff!!!