Hammond C3 and 122 Leslie motor slowing down

[Guest]

Hi all,

I'm new here, but I have a hammond c3 organ and a 122 Leslie. I'm having a problem with the Leslie slow motor. The motor will slow down and then eventually stop after playing for around an hour. If you just let the organ run it will not stop. I had the technician come and he watched it for an hour and it never stopped, but when I play the organ for an hour the slow motor will eventually get to where it stops instead of spinning slowly. The sound is terrible and I'd like to fix it. Is it best to just buy a new motor or is there something I can do to fix the one I have?

[JoeyB3]

Couple of things here:
Is it BOTH slow motors, or just one (there are 2 of them...one for the horn, one for the drum)?

If it is just one, then does it happen after an hour of you switching between Chorale and Tremolo, or are you just staying on Chorale?
The diagnosis will be different depending on how you answer the above questions.

Assuming (haha) it is just one motor, and you ARE switching speeds back and forth, it is likely all you will need is a cleaning and tuneup of your motor stack. Probably should do both while it is open. Could simply be dirty, lack of oil, rubber wheel needs replacing, etc....all fixed with a stack tuneup.

In my experience....these motors either work or they don't. So if it starts off ok and then crawls to a stop, there is something inhibitng it. Do NOT play again until this is rectified, or you well may burn it out.

[Guest]

It sounds like it’s just the horn on top. Not the base but I may not be hearing it right. I’ll check it and get back with you.