Need Help Deciding

[WayneC]

Hi all. New member here and in need of some advice. I'm in the market for a Hammond and have several opportunities available to me. I would love an older TWG model with full manuals and pedalboard. Also, like the convenience of the left-hand presets. In the past I've owned a 50's B3, early 60's A100, M100 (that I used for gigging). All back when they were new! I'm mostly into playing but don't mind some restoration/upgrading as well. On the other hand I've been spoiled by the simplicity of maintenance of the electronics having owned a Thomas Celebrity and currently a Gulbranson.
Anyway, here is what is available to me: 1st up is an early 80's Commodore 1 owner. I know nothing about it but FREE and it works. The sound sounds like a Hammond immitation to me but, free!? What the heck? And it might be fun to diddle with.

Next up is late 60's H195. Decent appearance cabint-wise. Seller says it has had "lots of electronic work" and "some new tubes". Like, when in doubt, throw in some new tubes. Volume and punch just isn't there in my opinion for this model and they want $700, which seems a little steep. Also, hate the Mediteranian Cab. This might be a pass for me but would like some opinions.
Then there is an RT3 that's BEAT! Haven't seen this one in person but owner says it works and has the Leslie (don't know the model of the Leslie...being new here I don't know if I can post photos yet). $900 for that one. The cabinet is rough, but I'm a woodworker and cabinet builder so, not a problem if I were to gut it for repairs and refinish the wood. If the Leslie is good, I'm thinking that this may be worth negotiating some.
Finally, an early 70's Elegante. One owner working condition. Lots of bells and whistles. Good physical condition. Would this vintage still be a TWG? Could be had for under $200.
So, there we have it. I'm trying to decide what will be the best value now and in the future with/without restoration. Also, if anyone can point me to ANY information/links to posts and whatnot on the above models, I'd appreciate it. Like I said, I mostly want to play it (whichever one i decide on) but also, don't mind some work. Heck, I'm even thinking... a freeby/cheap-o to play now and an "investment" to restore. Although, space is tight and money doesn't grow on trees and I don't want to go broke trying to restore a white elephant....HELP!

[David Anderson]

Although they have the downside of being large and heavy, the RT-3 will have the same guts as a B-3 or C-3 of the same era, plus som extra features, and if you can get that plus some decent model of Leslie, that would get you closer to the classic Hammond sound than any of your other options. You'll need organ dollies and three friends to move it.

The Leslie pictured has no center divider in the upper louvers, which means it could be a 122A, if you're lucky. It could also be a solid state model. Find out more.

I wouldn't bother with the Commodore or the Elegante.

[tpappano]

Disclaimer: I've only been aquiring and fixing Hammonds for about a year (E100, M100, M3 and A100 also two Leslie 720s and a 245)

Considering the RT3 has a Leslie with it and how much a Leslie enhances the whole experience, For $900 I would grab that setup in a heartbeat! I would think you could easily recover your investment (and then some) any time in the future. That hardware will always be maintainable and last forever. With what things go for around here that seems like a really good deal. I gave almost twice that for my A100/245 setup and am quite happy. (It had been given a bad black paint job and had a few other issues)

My second choice would be the “H” but I agree it seems way too high, and no Leslie.

Again, these are just my opinions based on little buy/sell experience .

Mmmm... RT3/Leslie...

[WayneC]

Thanks for the replies. I'd really like th RT3 for a project. I'll have to research a little info on them and go have a look. I'm anxious/frightend of what I may find around back.
Can anyone tell me what the black "buttons?" are for to the right of the lower manual? Not familiar with that feature. Also, did the RT3 have reverb?
Thanks, WC

[bourniplus]

Hi and welcome,
I'd also go with the RT3/Leslie, no question.
I think the black buttons are extra voices for the pedals.

[David Anderson]

The RT3 has a "Pedal Solo Unit" on board, which adds some reed tones and some 32' tones to the pedals. It works somewhat like the oscillators and frequency dividers in transistor combo organs, but with tubes. The switches allow you to select which bass harmonics you want. This is in addition to the normal pedal tones from the tone generator. If you don't want to use the Pedal Solo Unit, you don't have to, since it's a separate sound source. They often are not working quite right at this point in history.

The RT3 does not have on-board reverb. It's essentially a C3 with a 32-note pedalboard instead of 25, plus the Pedal Solo Unit. It has the exact same tone generator, manuals, and preamp as a B3 or C3.

[Goff]

RT3. Resale on this would be better than the other 'contenders.'

[WayneC]

Thanks again for the replies. It looks like the RT3 would be a good "investment" after repairs/upgrades. I'm gonna take a look this coming week. I may still entertain picking up the Commodore or Elegante just for something to play and play with. I heard a couple of youtube presentations on the Elegante that intrigued me as far as the versatility. Might be fun. Thanks again. Will post back after seeing the RT3. I'm sure I'll have more questions.
WC

[ChristopherDB113]

The RT3 for sure. You can't touch a functioning Leslie for $900 so if that is included in the sale you can't lose.

If you've ever had a need for AGO pedals, here you go. While I would like to see that casework restored, you could easily part out the organ and get some $$$.

[andyg]

For pure and simple Hammondy-ness, the RT3 is the way to go. Not 100% sure on the Leslie model. The two upper louvres rather than four, what appears to be a plastic ''Leslie" badge, plus the fact that it's still on its original shipping pallet, suggests that it's a late model. But it's still a twin rotor leslie!

For pure fun, plus a very big, gutsy sound, the Elegante takes some beating.

[Alek Z]

I would definitely take the RT3! It's only a little more than the H but given it has a leslie that's a great deal! The Concorde and commodore aren't worth it though, I'd take a spinet over those any day because of the sound.

[Tonewheel]

When I see blue or red or yellow, compared to the brown, black and ivory alone, just visually, I would go for the latter (RT3). If I had all of them already running, and I could play them and hear them, but not see them, I would go for the RT3. How is that for bias? can't be helped...

[Papus]

RT3 plus Leslie, without hesitation. It's a no-brainer.
The other options are frankly garbage by comparison.
Real tonewheels, identical sound to B3/C3, real two-rotor Leslie..... this is ticking ALL of the boxes.
And both machines will run forever with proper maintenance and TLC.