Noob questions

[Guest]

Howdy. I'm a total noob to this Hammond thing. But I may be developing a serious addictions. Here's where I am: I'm a retired computer programmer, hotrodder and blues bassist (electric bass.) I learned bass by ear and tablature and got to the point where I needed more musical learning. Both my sons have master's in music, so when I ask them a question, even their dumbed-down answers flew over my head, So I bought a digital piano and began to study a little theory and keyboard performance. It's helped my bass playing a lot....but it's also got me thinking that I MUCH prefer the sound of an organ over a piano.</p>

And thus we come to the questions. I've been looking at Hammonds and have pretty much decided that's the direction I want to go. I'm familiar with the B series and the C and the A-100...and a couple of models of Leslie speakers. But, MAN! There are just a couple other models and I'm totally confused. So: Is there a site that has a listing of model numbers/names and their descriptions? Any words of wisdom here?</p>


Next, I think I've made a decision that if I can find an A-100 for a reasonable price, I'll go that route (I'm in Utah, USA, btw.) I don't plan on gigging with it (I've got a LONG way to go before I could do more than play the most rudimentary rhythm patterns) and I have a fair amount of room in my house (I live alone.) With that said, does an A-100 seem like a reasonable choice?</p>

In the mean time, I set my keyboard to play in "jazz organ" voicing...the closest I seem to be able to get to a Hammond sound and play what I can. At the risk of heresy, are there any alternatives to feed this addiction that I seem to be developing...such as an inexpensive "sound-a-like?" I don't wanna spend a whole lotta money on something that wouldn't be a "keeper" but if there's something that I'm overlooking....</p>


Thanks in advance,</p>



</p>

[Guest]

Re: Noob questions

If you're looking to do the jazz organ thing cheap, look for an M3. That will get you close to the sound your looking for without breaking the bank. Add a single rotor leslie 120 or 125 and you might be happy for less than $600. Just be patient for the right deal to come along. Try to meet some of the local hammond guys in your area. It seems like folks are always trying to unload spinets.

[Guest]

Re: Noob questions



Hi,</p>

I definitely agree regarding a purchase of an M3. I am new to draw-bar organs also and was able to get mine for about $250 in mint condition. Its incredible. They range in price from free to about $300 and are not hard to find on craigslist or local listings.</p>

Regarding info on all of the models, I have learned tons from the following:</p>

http://www.theatreorgans.com/ http://captain-foldback.com/ and for parts and manuals I have had a great experience with Jerry Welch at http://www.mitatechs.com/hammond.html.</p>

What I have found is that Leslies cost much more than many Hammonds and are very hard to find. From inputs from others on these posts, I got a Beringer (sp?) DI-100 direct box and a Roland/Boss RT-20. I clip lead right off the speaker outputs of my M3 into the DI box, and from that into the RT-20 Leslie simulator (then the simulator into my PA - or headphones, if I'm just practicing). You can also add a resister (8 Ohms that can handle about 15-20 watts across the amp output and un-hook the M3 speaker - I have found that you loose very little of the Hammond sound; as most of it is electro-mechanical and comes out via the output anyway.</p>

Enjoy </p>

</p>

[Hammond101]

Re: Noob questions



RatMan</P>


Since you are a bass player, I am going to offer the decenting opinion. Don't by a spinnet Hammond (M3, M100, L100 etc.). You can't play left hand bass with these models. They simply don't have the notes available. Also you are limited with only 12 bass notes on the M3, 13 (full octive) on the M100. Not the best for playing bass and you will want to eventually. The organ sound is good but not powerful as these have 11-12 watts rms at best.</P>


I think your choice of the A100 is a good one. It is a B3 in a self-contained cabinet with reverb. Perfect home 3 series Hammond. It time you can ad a Leslie and have a real screamer.</P>


Welcome and good luck in your search for a Hammond.</P>


H101</P>

[Guest]

Re: Noob questions



Ahhh....this makes sense! It was playing the bass lines on the DKB that I found the Hammond sound MUCH more pleasing than the piano. Matter of fact, I can play the bass lines with my left hand a heck of a lot better than...well..than I can play anything with the right, although I've been making some progress playing "parallel" notes an octave apart. Seems it's the only way I've been able to tame my right hand. I've actually been able to play a couple of triads or 1-5 diads (that's the word, isn't it?) with the right over the bass root note of the left. May not sound like much, but for for a guy who hadn't so much as sat at a keyboard for 50 years, it's a start. :)</p>

I've gotten sidetracked (I'm real good at that) in reading the biography of Laurens Hammond and I'm finding it to be really interesting. Most folks on this forum probably know about it, but just in case, it's here:</p>

http://thehammondorganstory.com/index.asp</p>


</p>

[Tony Wheel]

Re: Noob questions



Hi Ratman</P>


Do NOT buy an M3 or spinet. I know hammond 101 already told you that but I am seconding that motion in a big way.You will be dissapointed if you want to play some serious jazz organ. Even though you are just starting I feel from personal experience that the spinets will not let you progress as you should. They are just to limited. The A-100 is a great choice because as eveyone knows it is basically a B3 at a much lower cost. If you keep your eyes open you should be able to find one at a very reasonable cost. It sounds like you are not a broke teenager so don't waste yourtime on something small.With an A-100 you don't even need a leslie right away although eventually you WILL want one . I Have a 1966 mint B3 and a 1964 A-100. When you run the A-100 through a leslie ( I use a 21H they are half the price of a 122 ) It is the voice of God. You get full bass pedals as well on the A-100. About a month ago I saw one for FREE in my local penny saver. Of course someone beat me to it by about 10 minutes but the point is they are out there but don't let someone rip you off. I see them in my area from about 500.00 to 1,000. I got mine for $200.00. Be persistant and you will find one. They are out there. Check estate sales,Garage sales, and all the little local papers. I have had a couple of M3's and in my humble opinion they are a waste of time if you want to play jazz.In fact thats exactlywhat the great DR. Lonnie Smith said. I recently picked up an M3 with a 21H leslie for $400.00. I sold the M3 immeadiatly for $300.00 so I basically got the leslie for $100.00 and it kicks ass. Every Hammond has its own personality and by that I mean no two B3's will sound exactly the same. Overall they do but once you get a chance to play several you will know what I mean. I'm so glad you checked before you ran out and bought something. You will be completely addicted to playing Hammond once you get the proper rig. This is possibly the only good addiction I can think of!! Once you start walking a bass line and get your right hand swinging you will be amazed at how good it can make you feel. Even when the rest of the day was crappy. I hope this was helpful. Hold out for the right organ. Of course the mighty B is my true treasure but the A-100 is right up there. Good Luck. By the way every monday night at 9:30 west coast time there is a show on the internet called doodlin' lounge. you can get it by logging on to KUSP.ORG It is hosted by Pete Fallico. Pete is the most knowegable guy in the world on jazz organ and a great person as well. Check his show out you will love it.</P>


Take Care. </P>
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[Hammond101]

Re: Noob questions



Ratman,</P>


Reading the Bio should be a requirement around here. I'd like to have one of those clocks hanging over my RT3.</P>


There is a seldom talked about (around here anyway) Hammond model you should also consider as a possible "get by" until an A100 drops in your lap. The E100 series. These are noted as the "Po Man's" A100. Other than having fewer tabs for presets and only one set of drawbars for each manual they are pretty decent tonewheel Hammonds. At least you get 61 note manuals. They can be had for the price of a clean spinet or sometimes even less!</P>


This like has a good explaination of hammond models:</P>


http://www.dairiki.org/HammondWiki/HammondModels</P>


Good luck and have fun shopping for a "keeper"</P>


H101</P>

[Riverside]

Re: Noob questions



"I'd like to have one of those clocks hanging over my RT3"</P>


Beaware - A Hammond clock will introduce a fair amount of hum into the matching xformer if it gets too close.</P>
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[Guest]

Re: Noob questions



I've sure enjoyed the bio so far. That cat was a frikkin genius! Seems to have enjoyed his drinkin a bit, but it seems not to have affected him in any serious way...other than the interesting anecdotes. Too many real sharp dudes have ended up burned out on alcohol or drugs. (Shudder.)</p>

</p>

Thanks a million for the link to the Hammond Wiki. That opened a lot of doors and answered a buncha questions. Looks like an E or H-100 might be an acceptable starting point. I'm startin to look around locally...I've sure found a lotta Lowrey organs for sale...not many Hammonds, tho. I'll keep playin my Casio and messin with the drawbar settings on it to see what kinda tortured cat sounds I can make. :) </p>

</p>

One more question: Is there a source of drawbar starting points or presets that one could use to get started on this deal? I looked in the Specifications section and found a lotta settings for pipe organs, but a search for drawbar came up empty handed. Waitasec...Google to the rescue:</p>

http://www.keyboardservice.com/Drawbars.asp</p>

http://www.thesoundsmith.com/private/hammond2.htm</p>

http://www.theatreorgans.com/hammond/paul.htm</p>

http://samsmuzikco.com/pdf/sample2.pdf and so on....I searched for Hammond drawbar settings and got enough hits to keep me amused for quite a while...at least if I can figger how to use the drawbar deal on the Casio. I kick myself in the butt for buying this particular model...but if it hadn't had some severe pitch degradation on sustained notes, I might not have switched from piano to organ voicing...and that's what got me interested, then obsessed about Hammonds. I spose it was meant to work out that way. </p>

</p>

Yanno, I'm really gonna be mad at myself if I ignore or sell my Model A Rat Rod and 85 Monte Carlo "race car in the making" this summer to play organ. And If I don't make it to Speed Week and the other events on the salt flats because I'm glued to the keyboard...well...ya might wanna send out a search party. It's been a lotta years since I've missed all events on the salt. I even made it out for the filming of "The World's Fastest Indian" where my 64 Chevy pickup was used as a prop...a month after quad coronary bypass. They would have done the 2 rear arteries, but I'd already been on a heart pump for 12 hours and the rears were so occluded that they gave up. 4 months later 2 more occlusions took place and I'm down to one last coronary artery. I don't think I'm gonna be carrying any organ into my house alone. </p>


But there's a good side to all of this. If my health hadn't failed, if I hadn't had to sell my muscle cars (2 67 Camaros and 2 63 Novas) to stay afloat while the disability insurance got off their asses and finally came through with the benefits, probably never would have gotten this deep into music. I'm grateful for the blessings I have today.</p>

</p>

</p>

[Guest]

Re: Noob questions



Hi,</p>

check this out: http://www.dairiki.org/HammondWiki/DrawbarRegistrations</p>

A lot of drawbar settings!</p>

good luck</p>

[lparsons21]

Re: Noob questions



The H-100 series is a good way to start, imo.  Not only do they sound good, usually they are dirt cheap.  From $0 to $100 is what you can expect to find.  Get a bottle of Hammond Oil and some DeOxit to go with it and you should be good to go.</p>

 </p>

 </p>

[Hammond101]

Re: Noob questions

[quote user="RatMan"]


I'd already been on a heart pump for 12 hours and the rears were so occluded that they gave up. 4 months later 2 more occlusions took place and I'm down to one last coronary artery. I don't think I'm gonna be carrying any organ into my house alone. [/quote]</P>


Yikes! I'm glad you're still lookin' down at the grass! Seriously, best of luck with all that. Yes, definately get someone else to do the heavy lifting.</P>


When I first saw your user name and location, I wondered if the Rat came from "Rat Motor" Seems like a lot of Hammond folks like/build hot rods. I built a '57 Chevy 210 2dr ht and a '63 Nova SS rag top in my former married life. I'm actually trying to get the time (&amp; money) to get to the flats this year.A friend's father in law is going to run a bike and attempt a record for his age class. He already holds one set in his early 70s. To get the record run they had to tape over the boost/mixture controls. He was trying to make adjustments at over 200 mph! Got Salt?</P>


I own an H195 but haven't done a thing with it. I got it for the cost of fuel to pick it up. I fired it up and it began to smell like burning pc boards so I yanked the power cord from the wall and haven't touched it since. It was stillplaying however.Actually I think it was the big cap on the run motor but I haven't gone exploring yet. It has a broken preset key, I need to lift the manuals to repair it. They have a reputation for being unreliable. One of these days I'll get it checked out and try to get $100 for it. The bench and pedals are worth more by themselves, go figure.</P>


For me it is the first the sound of the Hammonds that is the attraction. Secondly the antiquity. I love vintage instruments, Hammonds, guitars, amps&amp; hot rods.</P>


Best,</P>


H101</P>
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[Bobmann]

Re: Noob questions



There is a H-324 with a PR-20 Tone Cab on Ebay now...located somewhere in IL I think...not sure where you are exactly. These things do show up quite consistantly though.
I have an H-395, and really like it; I think it's a lot of organ for the money...gotta love the thunderous bass and the extra drawbars. I actually paid $300 for mine, which may have been a little high, but the price of these things really come down to an agreement between buyer and seller. Besides, t his one was in really great shape under the dirt. I also purchased a working H-112 for $100 that I used as parts, and another H-382 just for the helluvit...and another H-112 for $200, but it had a Leslie 251 with it. I will probably use that organ for parts as well. Just the tubes are worth that much, and the Leslie is in very good shape.
Just be careful, as procuring these instruments appears to be a sickness[:$]and your car may end up in the driveway.
I would reccommend looking for a 300 series or a 100 series after serial 15000 or so, these tend to be more reliable.</P>


Bob</P>

[Guest]

Re: Noob questions

[quote user="Hammond101"][quote user="RatMan"]


I'd already been on a heart pump for 12 hours and the rears were so occluded that they gave up. 4 months later 2 more occlusions took place and I'm down to one last coronary artery. I don't think I'm gonna be carrying any organ into my house alone. [/quote]</p>



Yikes! I'm glad you're still lookin' down at the grass! Seriously, best of luck with all that. Yes, definately get someone else to do the heavy lifting.</p>



When I first saw your user name and location, I wondered if the Rat came from "Rat Motor" Seems like a lot of Hammond folks like/build hot rods. I built a '57 Chevy 210 2dr ht and a '63 Nova SS rag top in my former married life. I'm actually trying to get the time (&amp; money) to get to the flats this year.A friend's father in law is going to run a bike and attempt a record for his age class. He already holds one set in his early 70s. To get the record run they had to tape over the boost/mixture controls. He was trying to make adjustments at over 200 mph! Got Salt?</p>



I own an H195 but haven't done a thing with it. I got it for the cost of fuel to pick it up. I fired it up and it began to smell like burning pc boards so I yanked the power cord from the wall and haven't touched it since. It was stillplaying however.Actually I think it was the big cap on the run motor but I haven't gone exploring yet. It has a broken preset key, I need to lift the manuals to repair it. They have a reputation for being unreliable. One of these days I'll get it checked out and try to get $100 for it. The bench and pedals are worth more by themselves, go figure.</p>



For me it is the first the sound of the Hammonds that is the attraction. Secondly the antiquity. I love vintage instruments, Hammonds, guitars, amps&amp; hot rods.</p>



Best,</p>



H101</p>

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<p mce_keep="true">Well. Where to start? Here, I guess. I waited to reply to this because I hadn't finished reading Hammond's Bio. I just did. It's about 5 am where I live...the greater Salt Lake City area...I wanted to be able to agree or disagree about the suggestion of making it mandatory reading. (Mandatory...sure.) It probably should be. Too bad the writer tapered off so abruptly at the end and the typos make it look a little less than professional. But it's a wonderful story about a guy that in my eyes seems to have been a certified genius. Pretty kool the way he was raised to nurture that genius and creativity.</p>

<p mce_keep="true">
Ok. The "Rat" in Ratman came about as the result of a typo. My name's Ray...and I've been on the Land Speed Racing (LSR) mailing list for a long time ( http://autox.team.net/mailman/listinfo/land-speed ) if anyone's interested. A friend of mine (a photographer in Colorado) responded to one of my posts and hit the "t" key instead of the "y" turning Ray into Rat. It kinda went downhill from there. I spose there's a bit more to it. I've been a fan of Ed "Big Daddy" Roth since I first met him around 1964. At that time he was just a guy tryin to make a living by selling airbrushed sweatshirts and found that he could do that at car shows...and it was a lot easier to get permission to do so if he had a car to display. At that show he had "Tweedy Pie" a 23 "T-bucket." His path and mine crossed many times over the next 30 years and the last time I saw him was a coupla months before he died in 2001. I go to the annual "Rat Fink Reunion" in a little town in Utah (Manti...he'd joined the Mormon church and moved to this state) every year. Ohh...I also wear Rat Fink t-shirts a lot. :) (I also have one that has a Lakester on it named, "Got Salt?") That's the rat story....well, almost. I have a 64 Chevy pickup that's done in rat rod style and that 29 Model A is gonna be a true rat. Full-fendered and stock hight top, but ratty as hell. I hope to get it on the road this spring</p>

<p mce_keep="true">H101: if yer gonna be on the salt this year, let's get together...if for no more than a visit in the pits or a bite to eat at the "Salt Flats Cafe." I plan to be there for every event Mama Nature and my health allow. Can't hardly miss me. I'll be wearing an automotive t-shirt, a desert hat, sunglasses and have a camera. :) (Like a coupla thousand other guys....but I plan to take my Ugly Truck and that's not too hard to find.)</p>

<p mce_keep="true">Bobmann: Thanks for the H-3xx info. I'm gonna have to buy something local, cuz the shipping would be unreal...unless somebody had a friend who had a...well, you get the picture. I love yer tag line. I use it myself quite frequently when talkin to younger guys. </p>

<p mce_keep="true">I also appreciate the drawbar registration link, JonC3. I bookmarked that with a few others that I tripped over as I was surfing.</p>

<p mce_keep="true">Yanno, this is gonna be real interesting. I never played an instrument in my life until 3 years ago when I picked up the bass. Earlier this year I bought the digital keyboard so I could learn a bit more music theory and improve my bass playing. That's happening. But I had NO idea that it would lend me in this direction...and it only did so because the keyboard I use has a tendency to degrade in pitch as well as amplitude on sustained notes...only in piano setting. So I played around with it (I'd switch voices as I was practicing something boring) and found the "Jazz Drawbar" setting. I loved it. Then I started hearing organ music in everything I listened to...and practiced with. Now I don't use the piano setting at all and do all my practicing on organ. And I have to find time to squeeze the bass playin in. But I'm makin progress. Last night I realized that I was playing chords with one hand and melody/improv with the other. That's not all that unusual unless ya consider the fact that up until a coupla months ago, I hadn't even sat down before a keyboard of any sort for about 50 years. I don't claim to be any kinda prodigy, but I'm havin a great time. And that's what it's all about for me. That otta wrap it up except maybe for the link to my web site: http://www.chevyasylum.com . There are pics of salt flats stuff, car shows and cruise events, my current (and former) projects if anyone's so inclined as to visit. A warm welcome from me if ya do.</p>

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[toasterDude]

Re: Noob questions

[quote user="Bobmann"]


I also purchased ... another H-112 for $200, but it had a Leslie 251 with it.</P>


[/quote]</P>


Now that's a sweet deal! [&lt;:o)]</P>