Score! 1953 Hammond B-2

[theseacowexists]

My daily "hammond" search on the local craigslist paid off today in the form of a chopped 1953 B-2 with Trek II percussion! The console shaped hole in my heart has been filled.

Organ powers up, generator runs impressively quiet, no stuck keys. Unfortunately, there was no cabinet or Leslie available to hook it up to hear anything. The guy I bought it from said that he used to use it with a 122, so I suspect the box inside is a 428/8000 connector box - please correct me if I am wrong. My goal is to just get a 1/4" out of the amp, since that's what my Frankenleslie will accept. I'll probably rig up the Motion Sound circuit posted on this thread: https://organforum.com/forums/forum/...t-out-line-out

The cabinet has definitely seen better days. Some pieces of veneer have broken off, and it is generally very, very worn. I'm grateful for the chop job - the legs were cut off and a plywood "shelf" attached to the top of them that the organ just sits on, and all of the wires between the two pieces are wired into two molex connectors. But hey, as long as everything inside works, I'm not too worried about the appearance of it (for now).

I hope to wire something up to get some sound out of it on this holiday weekend!

[tpappano]

Wow, congratulations! I also check frequently for good deals, but when a really good one pops up around here they're gone before I can even get my shoes on!

[Tonewheel]

I really liked the "console-shaped hole in my heart." That describes my feelings for decades when I had a C3. Not logical, but compelling.

There are a few great threads on how to heal the wounds to the wood, if you have time, but the shape, the "bones" are there....

[theseacowexists]

That chunk of veneer that's missing on the left side actually broke during the move, so I was able to save the piece and glue it back on, no problem. My dad gave me some Howard's finish restore to try on it, and so far it's cleaning the top up very nicely. There's so much finish just completely gone from other parts of the cabinet, I think the best thing to do for consistency's sake is probably to just strip and refinish everything. There's even some horrible duct tape residue on the wood under the lower manual. Yuck. Seems like a previous owner already stripped the legs anyway.

I wired up that Motion Sound line out, and the organ sounds wonderful! Some tones needed to be exercised, and it probably wouldn't hurt to shift the busbars. Got inside the drawbars and switch boxes and cleaned everything up with a little Deoxit. Did the same on the tube sockets. First order of business will probably be to replace the old AC cord, it's definitely seen better days. Any other things I should prioritize while getting everything together?

[Tonewheel]

Take a look at Bobman's posts for refinishing tips. Plus many others. For the tape residue, Goo-Gone is fairly good.

[NittyRanks]

A Buss Bar job is a good idea. It takes a lot of time and patience but will help.

[theseacowexists]

I figure a recap is in order too. Looks like there's five electrolytics on the schematic. Hopefully I can do this with discreet components instead of the expensive can from TWG.