Hooking up Sharma 3200 to Hammond L100

[dryjoy]

I'm shortly going to be bringing home a Sharma 3200 cabinet (UK Leslie clone).

It comes with the appropriate connection kit and both speed and MEE switches. I believe it uses an 8 pin connector.

I'm trying to work out how to do the hookup to the organ (L100) and having trouble finding definitive info.

One question is - does anyone know whether the Sharma expects to see the hot speaker output from the organ's main amplifier, or a signal from the pre-amp?

I may order the Sharma service manual from Swain Electronics, but any advice from here would be gratefully received.

[andyg]

It should want to see the hot speaker output, just as a Leslie would.

Should really scream and shout on an L100, even though it's solid state. They didn't call Sharma's founder, Keith Hitchcock, the 'decibel king' for nothing! When you've hooked it all up, start with the Sharma's main volume control at zero and work up gradually until your ears (or your neighbours!) complain.

And I assume that you'll be using just the rotary channel of the 3200. I'd get the manual and see if you can't get some of the bass to go through the straight channel's woofer - if you think it need it.

[dryjoy]

Thanks. I appreciate the advice.

It's unintuitive to me that a cabinet with its own amp would be expecting such a hot input, but your advice confirms what I seemed to be finding.

Yes, I was going to just use the rotary channel; your idea about looking into taking some low end into the stationary channel is a good one. I'll look into that, after I've managed to get it working normally!

[enor]

Thanks. I appreciate the advice.

It's unintuitive to me that a cabinet with its own amp would be expecting such a hot input,

Organ cabinets are often designed that way in order to simplify their connection to the organs. No need to pad the signal down, just tap straight off the speaker leads - mucho easier.

[dryjoy]

Organ cabinets are often designed that way in order to simplify their connection to the organs. No need to pad the signal down, just tap straight off the speaker leads - mucho easier.

Hah, yes! Much easier. Seemed too good to be true actually, but makes a lot of sense to design that way.

[dryjoy]

I did it, and it sounds great. It is a stupidly sized amp for home use, however. Massive overkill. There's no way it's going to get turned up past about 0.25.

[andyg]

Good to hear that you've got it all working. I had an even bigger (and louder) Sharma at home for a while. Great sound but waaaay too loud for the room!

[dryjoy]

Wow, quite honestly I can't imagine a larger version.

[andyg]

Yes, there was a 3500 - both 'home' and gigging versions.

[Drawbar Dave]

I'm shortly going to be bringing home a Sharma 3200 cabinet (UK Leslie clone).

It comes with the appropriate connection kit and both speed and MEE switches. I believe it uses an 8 pin connector.

I'm trying to work out how to do the hookup to the organ (L100) and having trouble finding definitive info.

One question is - does anyone know whether the Sharma expects to see the hot speaker output from the organ's main amplifier, or a signal from the pre-amp?

I may order the Sharma service manual from Swain Electronics, but any advice from here would be gratefully received.

I'd recommend ringing David Swain before ordering as their online shop doesn't always work properly and notify him.

[dryjoy]

I'd recommend ringing David Swain before ordering as their online shop doesn't always work properly and notify him.

Thanks. As it happens, I did place an order but was unable to pay for it, so I'll get in touch with him.

[Drawbar Dave]

I haven't seen David for about six years when I spent a day with him at his warehouse. He has suffered with his health in recent years. I hope that he is able to help you and is still running his business.

By the way I have a spare treble driver in my loft that is apparently from a Sharma. PM me if you want it. It came from a terminally damaged Leslie 760 that I acquired and parted out.