Thanks for that link and the reference to JoeyB3. I did find that video a few days ago. Very interesting and a thorough job. Glad he made the video. In the video he says he got the organ for free from Bobman. I don’t know if I’m going to pursue this one, especially at a $500 initial outlay. The wood looks like the finish is pretty much gone and needs a complete re-do. Just wondering how involved this might be and what the value should be?
I don’t think there is one. The ad mentions a “Leslie amp.” I think the seller is either confused or assumed all Hammond speaker cabinets are Leslies, or may have put “Leslie” in the ad to get more hits. But, from e-mails, I think it is the second case.
Thanks for that link and the reference to JoeyB3. I did find that video a few days ago. Very interesting and a thorough job. Glad he made the video. In the video he says he got the organ for free from Bobman. I don’t know if I’m going to pursue this one, especially at a $500 initial outlay. The wood looks like the finish is pretty much gone and needs a complete re-do. Just wondering how involved this might be and what the value should be?
I think it looks wonderful. Go for it!
Current organs: AV, M-3, A-100
Current Leslies: 22H, 122, 770
I don’t know if I’m going to pursue this one, especially at a $500 initial outlay. The wood looks like the finish is pretty much gone and needs a complete re-do. Just wondering how involved this might be and what the value should be?
Keith,
Unless you are looking to purchase a Hammond in the "-3" series (B3, C3, A100, RT3, D100), the word "value" is virtually meaningless. The aforementioned organs are the only Hammonds that hold any true value, because those are the only ones the vast majority of performers actually want. Consider every other Hammond (again...for the vast majority) nothing more than a labor of love.
The Concert Model E holds no true monetary value. The only people who would want such a beast are either collectors or enthusiasts who will likely do nothing more than enjoy the instrument in their home. While I did get mine from Bob as a gift, I spent more than 2K, plus MANY hours of my time to get her to where she is now. I do not regret it - but I knew going in I would never get the $$ back.
So, the value to me is that I have a very rare Hammond organ that sounds and plays great, and looks (almost) the same as the day she left the warehouse 80 years ago.
and FWIW: the CME you show in your picture happens to be one of the cleanest and most complete I have ever seen.
Joey
1st born: 1958 B3 & 1964 Leslie 122 Most Proud of: 1938 Concert Model E paired w/ 1948 Leslie 31A & Vibratone (Leslie) 30A (c.1942) Daily Workhorse: 3 Manual Rodgers running Hauptwerk 4.2 New Kid on the Block: Hammond Novachord (year not determined yet)
Unless you are looking to purchase a Hammond in the "-3" series (B3, C3, A100, RT3, D100), the word "value" is virtually meaningless. The aforementioned organs are the only Hammonds that hold any true value, because those are the only ones the vast majority of performers actually want. Consider every other Hammond (again...for the vast majority) nothing more than a labor of love.
The Concert Model E holds no true monetary value. The only people who would want such a beast are either collectors or enthusiasts who will likely do nothing more than enjoy the instrument in their home. While I did get mine from Bob as a gift, I spent more than 2K, plus MANY hours of my time to get her to where she is now. I do not regret it - but I knew going in I would never get the $$ back.
So, the value to me is that I have a very rare Hammond organ that sounds and plays great, and looks (almost) the same as the day she left the warehouse 80 years ago.
and FWIW: the CME you show in your picture happens to be one of the cleanest and most complete I have ever seen.
Joey
Thanks for all that advice, and thanks especially for posting the video of your restoration! As you said, there is not much info out there, so your video is exceptionally valuable for information on a model E.
Thanks also for the additional information on the commitment you made to restoring the E. I assume you worked on this part time, but just curious how long it was from start to finish?
I have not done much with amplifier electronics. I did swap out the transformer in an M3 amp where half had lost its electrical connection. So, my main experience that would be applicable to this project is in woodworking. I'm a bit concerned about picking up a project that may be way over my abilities.
From what I can tell the Craig's List ad has been active for two months, so what you say makes sense, there is not going to be a lot of interest in this organ. Owners said they bought it in the early 1990s. Before that, they don't really know the history.
Also, thanks for the comparison on the condition. The case does look like the finish is gone in a number of areas, but as you say, does appear complete (other than the bench).
I have an A102 that I bought last spring (had an M3 before that). So, for my personal enjoyment, I am not in the market for another Hammond. However, I have been intrigued by the chorus generator in the model BC, D, and E, though I've never heard one in person. How different is the sound of the organ using the chorus generator vs. the sound from a Hammond using the Chorus scanner?
That`s not the first go-round on CL for that organ,I saw it at least a year ago.No matching bench was a deal breaker for me,good luck finding one.It has the matching gothic carving,unique to the E organ.
That`s not the first go-round on CL for that organ,I saw it at least a year ago.No matching bench was a deal breaker for me,good luck finding one.It has the matching gothic carving,unique to the E organ.
Thanks for that info on the listing. Was it listed at the same price last year?
Agree on that bench. I'd have to make one, but I don't think I have the tools to make it matching to the console. So, it would have to have plain sides or I'd have to have the sides made professionally. More $$$...
I'm a bit concerned about picking up a project that may be way over my abilities.
So was I when I first started tackling these beasts. But nothing in these instruments is particularly difficult if you have common sense and have the ability to be patient, do research, and ask questions. I couldn't have done mine without this forum.
... I have been intrigued by the chorus generator in the model BC, D, and E, though I've never heard one in person. How different is the sound of the organ using the chorus generator vs. the sound from a Hammond using the Chorus scanner?
The Chorus Generator sound is VERY different from the scanner chorus/vibrato sound. Personally, I like the CG sound better, but it is limited to the one sound. At least on the CME, you can separate manuals for Tremulant and Chorus. It is the only pre-war Hammond organ to offer that and that feature (independent manual functionality) didn't become standard until the "-2" series.
1st born: 1958 B3 & 1964 Leslie 122 Most Proud of: 1938 Concert Model E paired w/ 1948 Leslie 31A & Vibratone (Leslie) 30A (c.1942) Daily Workhorse: 3 Manual Rodgers running Hauptwerk 4.2 New Kid on the Block: Hammond Novachord (year not determined yet)
I will say this: JoeyB3 is also very talented, and committed. Don't be fooled by his humility. He's a rock star in this community, as far as I am concerned.
Here's some perspective. I have a Hammond CV that I purchased in January 2016. I am still about midway through the restoration process. I don't have an ETA of when it will be finished. Why is it taking so long for me? I don't have a good answer. Mostly, it is that I simply have not dedicated enough spare time to that project, and have instead dedicated it to other tasks, for other people. The CV has always been a back-burner project for me, simply out of necessity.
When deciding if you're going to purchase that Concert Model E, you need to ask yourself what you want the end result to be. Just about the only "ethical" way to buy one of these is to keep it as your own personal organ for home enjoyment. You must have an idea of what you want that end result to look like, sound like, and smell like for that matter, which will determine how much effort you'd want to put into its restoration. There are many people on the forum who will help and support you, but at the end of the day, you have to know what you are getting into, and don't be shocked if the project is exponentially more difficult or time consuming than you originally thought.
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