Removing Half Moon Leslie Switches

[GregK]

My new (to me) L-112A has 2 half moon Leslie switches. I would like to return the organ to its original setup without the switches. The left switch says "main/ensemble/echo". The right switch says "chorale/tremolo". Flipping the switches does not affect the sound except the right switch in "echo" turns the internal speakers off. Each switch has a heavy wire running to the inside.
I know most people want to add these switches, but I want to take them off.
Please advise.
Thank you.

[geoelectro]

The switches should go to a “kit” in the back. That kit will have more wires going to speakers and power. All the wires from the kit would need to be removed in a way where the original wiring can be preserved. This may or may not be obvious. Once disconnected make certain the organ plays. Then, remove the kit, remove the switches and pull the wires out.

Geo

[andyg]

You're 100% certain that you're not going to add a leslie at some point? If so, then remove the kit, and then sell the kit and half-moons. They'll fetch a good price. If in doubt, remove said kit and wait until the leslie 'bug' bites. Chances are that it's a 26-1 type kit so a 110, 120, 125, 145 or 147 will do! Then reinstall the kit and plug in the leslie.

[GregK]

Thanks for the advice! I have heard Leslies and I know how they work. My uncle had a B-3 with a Leslie back in the 1960s.
Does the Leslie "color" the sound of the organ or just add the spin effect? In other words, will a B-3 and an L sound similar thru a Leslie or will they each retain their un-leslied sound?

[andyg]

The leslie will transform any organ it goes on, basically. It's frequency response will be different to the speakers in the L, with more bass and more treble, the organ will shout out more. And of course, 'the' sound for many (most) Hammond fans is that of the organ with a twin rotor leslie like a 122, 147, 760 etc.

The B-3 and L100 don't sound the same to start with, so the sound through the leslie will be different, as each will retain its own characteristics.

Unless you know that you don't ever want a leslie, I'd leave the kit and switches as they are. If you're fussy about the appearance, you could unscrew then from the front rail and put them securely inside the organ, making sure they don't rattle! You can unplug the tremolo/chorale switch but if you unplug the main/echo switch you'll lose all sound and would have to do a bit of rewiring to reconnect the speaker. It would take five minutes and is easy to do.

[GregK]

I am not sure if I want to keep the L112. It takes up a lot of space and there is no room for a Leslie.
What is your opinion of the digital portables like the XK-1c (without a separate Leslie)?

[KC9UDX]

I don't really have floor space for a Leslie either. But you know what? I have wall space above the organ. Not all Leslies are too tall for this. In fact, mine (a Cordovox) is only about 2' tall. It's not the same as a full size, dual rotor Leslie. But it's better than nothing. Far better. I wouldn't go without one.

[Tim_at_Jonas]

A portable on a stand won't take up any less floor space than what you have now, so keep it. Unless you are playing music that's traditionally played on a pipe organ, I expect that you'll eventually want a Leslie.