Will an H100 cabinet house a B-3 chassis?

[2ndserve]

I have an extremely ugly chopped B-3. It has fake woodgrain formica that has a very 70's look to it. Some guy locally just gutted a couple H100's. I'm not hopeful on this, but would the B-3 chassis fit in it?

Related, I have one broken key...would the H100 make a suitable donor?

Thanks in advance!

[tpappano]

I have an H100, it has so much stuff inside that if the case is empty I'm pretty sure it would hold the B3 parts easily 8). One issue will be that the case is a little taller to accommodate a row of tab switches, so you might want to cut the sides down a little. I be going to my shop shortly, I could take some measurements for you.

[2ndserve]

Wish I'd checked back earlier, but yeah, if you can provide measurements that would be awesome!

[tpappano]

Sorry I missed you, I'll be going back tomorrow afternoon, more toys to play with 8)

[andyg]

The H100 keys will not fit a B-3 keyboard, they are very different. A B-3 ke should be easy to find on line.

You have to to also think that the tonewheel generator may be in a different position relative to the manuals etc, so you may have to do a lot of rewiring. The same thing applies to amplifiers, preamplifiers etc. But as the H console is physically bigger than the B-3, it should all be possible if you're prepared for all the work.

[Bobmann]

Last question first...the H has diving board keys, the B has the waterfall keys. They are not remotely similar in design or mount, so no, the H key cannot be used on the B.
If you need some keys, I can send you what you need for cost of postage.

I assume that you are going to transplant the entire B guts...keyboard, TG, amp, etc. into an empty H cabinet, correct?

So, can the B guts be installed in the H cabinet? Well, anything can be done. Nothing from the B will line up with the holes and blocking in the H cabinet. Keyboards are mounted differently, the TG is mounted differently, the amp will probably not fit on the same shelf as the TG so it will need to be mounted under, like the A100. The swell pedal is in a different spot, so you will have to re position it. The bass pedal switch box is mounted different. The top cover of the cabinet is mounted differently and is not the same position in relation to the keyboard height wise.
This is off the top of my head, there may be other challenges I have not thought about. If you have access to woodworking tools and know how to use them, you will just have to take a part at a time and work out the mounting of each part. I have not measured, I am assuming that the B keyboard will fit between the cabinet sides...this would be the first step.

I said that it could be done...I did not say it would be easy.

Bob

[2ndserve]

Thanks to all for the replies. I figured it was a long shot and after reading the last two posts, way more than I feel comfortable, or want to bother with. Perhaps I'll look into making the current housing a little more presentable.

Bob, I will take you up on the key replacement. PM sent.

[bnelson218]

Other options, of course, would include finding an empty B or C console. They pop up every now and then on Ebay. Or you might find an old BC of BV destined for the dumpster. The H cabinet is definitely wider than a B or C, and it's not necessarily the keyboards that attribute to this, but rather the wider end blocks, which raises and interesting question: could the B's end blocks be mounted on the B's manuals? If so, this would make up the width difference, and also provide some panel space for switches and/or potentiometers. You'd still have to deal with the B's shorter drawbar rail and music rack. It'd be an interesting project, but not necessarily for a novice. Keep us posted on your decision and progress please.