Hammond 2312M

[Guest]

I have a 2312m that is not tuned to my grand piano {440}. I think I read in some of my literature that there is one control that can be adjusted to tune the organ. If so, here is the control located? </P>


Thanks for any help!</P>


</P>

[andyg]

Re: Hammond 2312M



Yes, I think you're right that it can be done, and I'm sure one of the Concorde owners on here will chip in with the answer. I have to say, however, that in the past 34 years I've never come across a Hammond Concorde that hasn't been at concert pitch. Without being funny, are you 100% sure that your piano is tuned to A440? Also be aware that the Concorde willbe tuned to equal temperament, unlike your piano, which should be 'stretch' tuned, so there will be slight discrepancies at either end of the piano compass, even when both concert A's are tuned to 440.</P>


Andy G</P>

[W4KSR]

Re: Hammond 2312M



I looked through my service manual. The Concorde has no tuning control. Those 380 IC's are meant to keep it in perfect tune.</P>


Mark</P>

[Guest]

Re: Hammond 2312M



Thank you so much for your prompt reply. We recently had the piano tuned to A440. The piano technician said that the organ is so far off that it had to have been set that way purposely. I have searched the literature, service manuals, etc., and have not found any mention of the pitch-tuning adjustment, however I am sure that I read that all Hammonds have this. The local Hammond tech says he will charge about $180 to $200 to come out and set it, which seems excessive. Thanks again for your reply.</P>


Harry Goldsmith</P>
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[andyg]

Re: Hammond 2312M



Is there any way that the master oscillator/clock has drifted? Like I say, I've never come across it since the LSI organs first appeared so it's weird but, hey, I once had a digital clock that ran 5% fast, so nothing's infallible. If so, you may be able to source a replacement board.</P>


OR, just a thought, could this out of tune behaviour be caused by the Concorde's usual Achilles heel, all those inter-board connectors?</P>


Andy</P>

[W4KSR]

Re: Hammond 2312M

[quote user="andyg"]


OR, just a thought, could this out of tune behaviour be caused by the Concorde's usual Achilles heel, all those inter-board connectors?</P>


Andy</P>


[/quote]</P>


Maybe the secret is to slap the side, like Onslow did to his TV in Keeping Up Appearences?[:P]</P>

[crossyinoz]

Re: Hammond 2312M

[quote user="Harry Goldsmith"]


We recently had the piano tuned to A440. The piano technician said that the organ is so far off - that all Hammonds have this. </P>


[/quote]</P>


G'Day All,</P>


Why not put the poor old Concorde (and possibly the piano) out of its misery once and for all by begging, borrowing or stealing a tuning scope or half decent 7 octave chromatic tuner from somewhere and do a check.[I]</P>


Cheers,</P>


Ian</P>

[andyg]

Re: Hammond 2312M



[quote user="W4KSR"]</P>


Maybe the secret is to slap the side, like Onslow did to his TV in Keeping Up Appearences?[:P]</P>


[/quote]</P>


Saw Hector Olivera do this to a small Conn spinet back in 1978. It wouldn't make a peep, so he hit it, saying that was what his mom used to do to their TV. Organ immediately came back to life, audience were in hysterics and Hec just carried on like it happened every day!</P>


An A440 tuning fork would probably suffice, Ian. I've met a few tuners who deliberately wouldn't tune the piano to concert as it would not have stayed there, but they never told the customers! I then spoilt it by turning up to give a lesson andtelling them that it was sharp or flat!</P>


Andy</P>

[W4KSR]

Re: Hammond 2312M

I saw starting yesterday on e-Bay here in the US, someone's parting out a working Concorde. I suppose, if you needed a board, you could shoot the guy an e-mail.

[crossyinoz]

Re: Hammond 2312M

[quote user="andyg"]


I've met a few tuners who deliberately wouldn't tune the piano to concert</P>


[/quote]</P>


.......and I've met a few tuners that couldn't tune a piano to concert! Still doesn't solve the problem - Is it the Hammond or the piano that's crook?</P>


Can anyone lend our fellow member an A440 Wittner?</P>


Cheers,</P>


Ian</P>

[Guest]

Re: Hammond 2312M



The manual that came with the organ, Hammond Portfolio Playing Guide, [2312m] says on page 5: "TUNING: all notes of your organ are accurately and permanently tuned relative to each other. The entire organ can be tuned sharp or flat [e.g. to be in tune with another instument] by a single control inside the organ."</P>


However, the service manual complete with block diagrams &amp; schematics does not show such a control or the location of it. It seems to me from my electronic schooling [ U.S.Navy] that crystal oscillators are generally tuned by the voltages applied. Much too complicated for me in my old age!! Technicians we have contacted seem less than familiar with the organ, and even suggested borrowing my service manual to study--- not confidence buiding. </P>


I am still looking for the answer. My KORG chromatic tuner CA-30 verfies the piano at A440 &amp; on the organ an F# is a slightly sharp A, Our piano tuner (certified technician) says that the organ had to be set intentionally the way it is.</P>


Harry</P>

[andyg]

Re: Hammond 2312M



Almost a major 3rd sharp? This sounds like a good old fault then. Even when you do have a fine tune control, it is just that, fine tune. Maybe 50 cents sharp or flat or a semitone at the most.</P>


There are some very knowledgeable people over at the Yahoo Hammond Zone group - as if we aren't knowledgeable enough! I've just posted a question over there about retuning a Concorde and will report back - or you can hop over there and read any replies.</P>


Andy G</P>

[andyg]

Re: Hammond 2312M



I heard back from one of the experts over at Hammndzone. The plot thickens! The 2312 is controlled by a master crystal oscillator. If there is a master tune control, it will be a tuning slug on the main MDD board. If you can't locate it, how about taking a photo of the board and posting it so we can all pitch in (sorry!) and try to find it?</P>


It may well be that there is a fault, like I said, and if that's the case the previous suggestion of sourcing a replacement board from a parted out organ seems the only way to go.</P>


If there are any more positive replies I'll let you know.</P>


Andy</P>
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[Guest]

Re: Hammond 2312M



Thanks, Andy,for your info re. MDD board, that is what I thought, but cannot see any tuning control on the schematic. As soon as my back recovers from draging this 490 lb. beast away from the wall, I'll remove the back and see if I can get a good look at the MDD board itself. (My wife says God bless you for trying so hard to help us!)</P>


Harry</P>

[andyg]

Re: Hammond 2312M



You're more than welcome. I have another reply from another Hammond expert:</P>


"First check supply voltages going to MDD generator/divider board. If ok,
check voltages around TOS IC .If all voltages correct repair MDD board. If
board has a tuning slug it has been replced,it is the board used in the
aurora,monarch,grandee. Tune it."</P>


I think that, being a 2312, ie a 2nd generation Concorde, it would have the same board as the Grandee etc as standard, but that's only an 'I think'!</P>


As far as the supply voltages go, if any of these are fed via plug in or push on connectors, then unplug them, clean them (Caig De-Oxit) and reseat them. As I said in an earlier post, these connectors are literally the weak link in many an LSI Hammond.</P>


Let us know how you get on - and take care with the back, I know just how heavy these organs are!</P>


Andy</P>