Identifying a Hammond

[Guest]

This organ is available in my area. The owner identifies it as a K2, but it appears to me to be an M or M2 from my research. Do these organs have any redeeming qualities compared to other Hammonds or organs in general? Is it worth saving and possibly modifying?

[tpappano]

Short quick answer: definitely worth saving! This instrument appears to be a model M2, a "spinet". The obvious difference from the full size consoles is fewer keys, the big ones have 61 keys and go down about another 1.5 octaves below the spinet. Also fewer bass pedals, which also have a different tonal character than the consoles. I suggest going to Youtube and looking at the many videos that show what the M2 can do and the various repairs and mods people do to them. Hammond organs are well designed and rugged instruments and no matter how old, can usually be made to sound good as new. It is quite possible that some electronic parts (capacitors, usually) may need to be replaced because after so many years they simply dry up. There is much information, and much talent on this forum that will help you get it going. I myself recently obtained a 1955 M3 and very little was needed to get it going.

edit: Just to make full disclosure, getting it basically working is one thing, getting it to sound like new is more of a 'project' or 'hobby' 8)
Not a real big deal, but it really helps if you like fooling around with electronic stuff and are comfortable with a soldering iron. Please read some of the many postings here about the adventures people have restoring these awesome instruments.