Hammond M3 reverb

[geldo79]

Hi,

I'd like to add some reverb to my Hammond M3. As I think the RV-1D from trek is way to expensive, I thought of the elb-1a effects loop from trek. But the weird thing is that it can only be used for one manual. Does anybody know if there is a way to use it on both manuals? If not....are there other options? I also have seen these old organ mate reverbs. But they seem to be rare.....at least here in germany.

Greetings Christian

[enor]

Why not add a reverb amp/tank from an M-100?

[geldo79]

Hmm....I have found a thread which describes how to build an effects loop box.

http://www.organforum.com/forums/sho...fects-Loop-Box

I'd like to give it a try, but I am wondering if the level could be too hot for a digital reverb. What do you think?

[enor]

Hmm....I have found a thread which describes how to build an effects loop box.

http://www.organforum.com/forums/sho...fects-Loop-Box

I'd like to give it a try, but I am wondering if the level could be too hot for a digital reverb. What do you think?

No, but you'd only get reverb when the vibrato/chorus is off; and no reverb for the percussion or bass pedals.

- - - Updated - - -

.. and meanwhile, the M-100 reverb bits are more or less plug and play in an M-3 (the M-100 _is_ an M-3 electrically speaking, only with different switch gear, different keys, and that reverb add-on)

[geldo79]

No, but you'd only get reverb when the vibrato/chorus is off; and no reverb for the percussion or bass pedals.

Oh....ok.....that's quite a big limitation.

.. and meanwhile, the M-100 reverb bits are more or less plug and play in an M-3 (the M-100 _is_ an M-3 electrically speaking, only with different switch gear, different keys, and that reverb add-on)

That would be an idea.....but maybe it isnt easy to find an m100-reverb. I have to keep eyes open.
But the idea of building an effects loop is also very interesting to me. It should be possible to build something like that.....

[enor]

Finding Hammond parts isn't difficult. Is your M-3 a 120V or a 230V model?

[geldo79]

It is a 120V model.

[enor]

It is a 120V model.

Very good! That increases the supply of used parts tremendously. Just check ebay for a suitable reverb amp (an AO-35 or an AO-44) and a reverb tank. If it was me, I would also try to find the reverb rheostat from an A-100 and wire it all up A-100 style instead of M-100 style.

[geldo79]

But I think in the m100 the reverb signal was fed into an extra speaker, right?. Is it possible to install that m100-reverb unit into an m3 like an insert effect? Also....there are no reverb switches in an m3....and no reverb strenght potentiometer what you'd find on the organ mate reverb.

[enor]

But I think in the m100 the reverb signal was fed into an extra speaker, right?. Is it possible to install that m100-reverb unit into an m3 like an insert effect? Also....there are no reverb switches in an m3....and no reverb strenght potentiometer what you'd find on the organ mate reverb.

Yes you would need a reverb speaker, unless you are feeding the signal to a Leslie (in which case you simply mix the dry with the reverb). Correct, it has no switches. That's why I suggested an A-100 rheostat (dial).

[David Anderson]

Hammond sold a kit that allowed you to retrofit spring reverb into the M-series spinets. As I understand it, it was basically the reverb system from the A-100, using the main speaker signal to drive the reverb tank with another amp to recover the output of the spring tank. Then, you needed an extra speaker. I believe that Hammond supplied a standalone extension speaker cabinet with a 12" Jensen speaker with a whizzer cone for better high frequency response.

[geldo79]

What do you guys think of this? :

"Just got off the phone with matt at tonewheelgeneral.com. He said that he thinks I could insert some 1/4" jacks just before the pair of 6VQ5 output tubes in the preamplifier. I'm really curious to know whether anyone has ever done this and what they think.


Post Thu Oct 11, 2007 1:05 pm

I've had it done on two organs, an M3 and a late 1930's BCV. Rick is right, you basically tap the signal off one of the preamp tubes. It isn't much different than adding one of those EQ kits (with the tube socket extenders), except instead of going to some bass & treble controls, you go to two jacks (send and receive).

It's definitely a lot of fun; I use to add delay that was timed to the speed of the upper rotor on chorale (slow speed). Sounded really cool!"

[Roger Memphis]

Hi Christian -
Have you considered adding an Organ-Mate reverb unit?
I don't know about the market in Germany, but working units are usually available on eBay US for $100 to $150. They produce great-sounding reverb and are fully controllable "on the fly" ... i.e. while playing. Just another approach to consider.
Roger Memphis

[geldo79]

Hi,

yes....that's how this thread started. But I don't think that organ mates are easy to find in germany. And I also would like to build my own effects loop.