Any Model A pics?

[skydawg]

Hi All,I`ve been looking for a nice original A for over a year,had a few looks,but no cigar.I know it`s out there,but until I find it,I could use some pics to tide me over.I know there are A owners on this forum,so how about sharing your pics of the beautiful beast that started it all. Thanks.

[Jwolter]

My mentor has ser.# 29. Here's a couple of pics of the back. It was upgraded with vibrato and a 5 tube preamp.

[Bobmann]

I have Ser # 41 and #135.
Both are just as I found them, as soon as I finish working on everyone else's Hammonds, I will rebuild these.;-)
I have not applied power to either of them, as the wiring is pretty brittle.

The curious thing is that Ser 135 has a Tremulant, and Ser 41 has Vibrato. Obviously, a lot of modifications could have happened over the last 80 years.
Ser 41 keyboard and DB layout Ser 135

Back of #135
The A has a hinged music rack

Is there anything in particular that you would like to see in more detail?

Bob

[skydawg]

Thanks,guys. Bob,it`s interesting that somewhere in the first 135 produced,they moved the location of the pedal drawbars.Must have had a reason...

[enor]

Thanks,guys. Bob,it`s interesting that somewhere in the first 135 produced,they moved the location of the pedal drawbars.Must have had a reason...

I seem to recall that only the first 50 had the pedal drawbars on the left. Always wondered why they moved them.

[Papus]

I seem to recall that only the first 50 had the pedal drawbars on the left. Always wondered why they moved them.

Maybe to facilitate better access when changing the settings on the fly..... puts the pedal drawbars within a 50/50 reach of the others

[tiredoldgeezer]

This thread brings a tear to my eye.

I miss my Model A. She was my first.
Many road miles.

TOG

[clem]

SN 1356. I've had it for 3 or 4 years and have actually been playing it quite a bit lately. So much that I'm back to pondering whether or not to add percussion.

[Guest]

SN 1356. I've had it for 3 or 4 years and have actually been playing it quite a bit lately. So much that I'm back to pondering whether or not to add percussion.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]30618[/ATTACH]

I added Trek II percussion to my BC recently and am really pleased I did. As good as my 3 series organs but with more options!

[clem]

That's what I'm looking at but I understand it's quite a process to add it to an A if you intend to replace the end block with the unit. I've heard of people mounting it on top of the block but would rather not do that.

[tiredoldgeezer]

That's what I'm looking at but I understand it's quite a process to add it to an A if you intend to replace the end block with the unit. I've heard of people mounting it on top of the block but would rather not do that.

Long ago, the Trek people (or someone) made a perc unit that attached to the front rail in a tiny box. I did that.

Electro-tone and later Trek replaced the end block.

I am SO GLAD that i kept my end block. I dunno. There's something magic about the end blocks, IMO. Especially on something like a Model A.

On a tricked out later model, with rhythm unit or string bass or whatever, sure, fine. But preserving the elegant simplicity of the A aesthetics ended up being really important for me before I had even realized it. Had i to do again, i'd mount the perc completely out of sight; underneath or something.

Gosh i miss my Model A. You know, one thing i DID do was change the key mounts. The A uses a threaded rod, coil spring, and brass nut at the root of each key. It pivots over another rod. I never really liked the action and didn't like monkeying with all the brass nuts. So I got a full set of manuals from another console for maybe fifty bucks or so (this is 1977) and changed out the top rail and keys. Direct replacement. Then I had regular keys, action, and replacements. No visible diff except the old cracked ones I had were now clean, shiny, and fresh.

And hey, it's yours. Do what makes you happiest. I don't wanna tell a guy what to do with his gear.

TOG

[enor]

That's what I'm looking at but I understand it's quite a process to add it to an A if you intend to replace the end block with the unit. I've heard of people mounting it on top of the block but would rather not do that.

Fitting it to the upper endblock is quite the task, as it requires that you take out the manuals from the organ. If you can live with it being in the lower endblock though - then it's much easier.

[clem]

I could certainly live with it being on the lower block. Where would I find info on doing that? The Trek people have been very good about answering my questions but seem pretty determined that it go on the upper block. I thought maybe there was a specific reason it had to be there.
I've actually done some re-thinking about my opposition to it being on top of the block. At first I assumed the lid wouldn't close but looking at it last night I think it still would. I just want to add it somewhere. I really love this thing. It's super quiet and really has no issues. I rewired some of the presets so I can live with the ratchet-y drawbars and have gotten used to the square edge keys.

[muckelroy]

The Trek people have been very good about answering my questions but seem pretty determined that it go on the upper block. I thought maybe there was a specific reason it had to be there.

It probably has to do with the length of the supplied wiring harness, and the fact that the wires could be pinched when on the lower manual. I'm sure somebody on this forum has a model A with Trek II percussion and can chime in on the best / easiest and least destructive way to install it.

[clem]

I'm gonna study that a little when I get home tonight. Do these Trek things work like normal percussion where holding down a note defeats the effect on subsequent notes until it's released? I've played some synths where percussion is active on all notes all the time regardless and it's extremely irritating.