Should I buy a C-3 or an A-100?

[Doctor Robert]

Hello!

I presently own a Hammond D-152 (which I love!), but would like to buy a second Hammond. The two I'm debating between are the C-3 and the A-100. Is one worth more than the other? Beyond that, some specifics: The C-3 comes with an HR40 tone cabinet whereas the A-100 comes with a Leslie 147. The A-100 appears to be in better shape cosmetically, although the C-3 isn't bad. The A-100 package is also $650 more. I do know that the Leslie is much more desirable than the HR40 tone cabinet, but should I pony up the extra money to get her and the A-100? I need to make a decision soon and would be very grateful for any feedback! Thanks!

[Tonewheel]

Great question!

I have owned a C3 with a 145. Currently have a B3 with 147 and 21H (two-speed). Also currently an A100 with a Leslie 205 at a cabin.

Let's assume that both organs you are considering are working very well. They are the same sound wise, in my opinion.

If I had to make your choice, I would go for the A100 and the 147.

The C3 occupies more real estate and is heavier. So if you plan on moving to play somewhere other than home, the A100 should be better.

The extra wood on the C3 makes it look a bit nicer than the A or the D. And the foot pedal light is nice.

I am not particularly fond of reverb, but if you are, the A100 has that.

The Leslie will make a world of difference. And if the Leslie is out for repairs, you at least have sound (like the D) of the internal speakers.

It would be nice to know what the prices are, though.

[Doctor Robert]

Thanks for the reply! The C-3 and tone cabinet will cost me $1200. I can get the A-100 and Leslie for $1850. The C3 is a three and a half hour drive one-way and the A-100 is five and a half hour drive. Another consideration, the new organ will probably have to go in my basement. My D-152 already takes up all the real estate in my living room that my wife will allow me to have! So it sounds like the A-100 would be easier to move into the basement...

[Bobmann]

Thanks for the reply! The C-3 and tone cabinet will cost me $1200. I can get the A-100 and Leslie for $1850. The C3 is a three and a half hour drive one-way and the A-100 is five and a half hour drive. Another consideration, the new organ will probably have to go in my basement. My D-152 already takes up all the real estate in my living room that my wife will allow me to have! So it sounds like the A-100 would be easier to move into the basement...

FWIW...the A100 is actually only a few inches smaller in overall footprint than the C3, so I would not sweat the size comparison.
As far as weight, they are pretty close. While the C does have more wood, the A100 has the extra amps with those monster transformers. If you are concerned about making it lighter, the amps are not that difficult to remove and will shed a surprising amount of weight.

IMO, the fact that the A100 has the Leslie is the real deal breaker. Just the Leslie alone would sell for $800 and up, not to mention that it will sound a LOT better.
The HR40 is a give away cabinet that I do not think sounded all that great. There is a 98% chance that the reverb will not work. Plus it is much larger than a Leslie if you are worried about space.

I vote for the A100/147...but that is just me.

Bob

[skydawg]

If it`s an A 105,it`s a C cabinet.

[andyg]

I'll put my two pennies worth in and vote for the A100 plus 147. We had this mint, and I really do mean mint, fully serviced A100 plus 145 in the shop a few weeks ago and it was Heaven to play. The shop asked top dollar for it at £2600 and held out until they got it - took all of two weeks! So I think your price for the A100 plus 147 is a good one. The extra 8" of the 147 would have given the bass even more oomph than the 145 did, and that was good enough!

And of course, you have reverb, which will either stay in the console or go through the leslie depending on the kit that's used. If you want 'remote' reverb, which is more natural to the ear, then disconnect the internal reverb speaker and connect the amp to a suitable (in terms of impedance and power handling), speaker from an unwanted stereo system. Place said speaker near the leslie or even on an adjacent wall for antiphonal reverb!

[David Anderson]

Personally, I would look at years of production, how they play, and how they sound. I think far too little attention is paid in Hammond purchases to condition. No two Hammonds sound exactly the same. I've heard 1960 A-100s that were kind of dull and 1963 A-100s that sounded fabulous.

An organ with problems in the manuals can be a huge time and money pit to straighten out. Organ sellers often try to make them look pretty on the outside to lull buyers into a false sense of confidence in their purchase.

All that said, an organ with a Leslie is usually a better deal because Leslies continue to be desirable. An HR-40 cabinet sounds OK at best, and will only sound its best in a large space like a church sanctuary. They don't sound right in smaller spaces -- to my ear.

[Tonewheel]

They are right about the Leslie. Make sure that you have matched 6550 power tubes. That bass will be beautiful.

And Bobmann is correct. But when space is tight, a few inches are appreciated.

If the A100 is in a smaller town, there might not be a lot of interest in it, and you can ask them how flexible they are price-wise, and what exactly needs to be fixed.

Tell them you will go with cash if it is the right price.

With my B3 and 21H, they were in a smaller city, and just wanted the space. $3000. Amazing. I asked what it sounded like. They said it squealed, and would I be interested in $2500. So I paid for it online, it based on photographs, then they had their son deliver it. The squeal was from a fairly dry TWG (sorry to the pros, but Hammond oil wasn't working so I used WD40 AND Hammond oil). The finish and tone were wonderful.

With the A100, they wanted $1000. I looked at it. Cosmetics good. Reverb not working (didn't need it). Percussion worked intermittently. Internal speakers distorted. One pedal tine was broken. I told them that it was probably going to take $500 to fix it, but there was no tech in their area. So I left and told them to reconsider the price, but also that I loved the unit. They thought about it and came up with a $500 asking price. I cleaned the percussion unit, spent very little on a tine, and it has been great.

So, see what the Hammonds are going for in that region with eBay and Craigslist. Go prepared with information from this site in terms of what to look for. Tell them, if it is true, that you love the way they have cared for it, that you will, too, but there are some things that need fixing, and see if they will come down in price. It is the best case when both seller and purchaser are happy with the price.

This is just an opinion, purely anecdotal, not statistically significant, no randomized controlled trials, etc.

PS We are away from home in Germany for quite a few months, doing some medical stuff, so the rigs are back home. You should see how much they charge for an A100 here, let alone a rare B3. It's 10:40 p.m. here, so the forum gang is mostly sleeping except for Europe...

[Tim_at_Jonas]

If either one has foam in the manuals, that could be a big deal for you.

Gotta have a Leslie unless all you play is hymnals and such.