Hammond M3 weak bass

[geldo79]

Hi,

recently i compared my Hammond M3 to my new viscount legend. Both were connected to my vintage Leslie 122 (The M3 via Leslie Kit 8010, the legend via Leslie Kit 1122). I discovered that the viscount has much more bass. Even when the equalizer settings are at default values, i can really let the leslie shake and produce cool bass sounds, which is not possible with the M3. Ok, the legend can produce lower frequencies than the M3, but in direct comparison (same keys), the legend also produces a fatter sound. Do you think this is normal, or could it be that my M3 has to be checked? I always suspected the leslie to be responsible for weak bass.....but using the legend i see that it is the M3.

greetings Christian

[enor]

Not normal! An M-3 should sound just as fat and bassy as any B-3.

[geldo79]

Do you have a first idea what to look for? Must be something inside the AO29 i guess...?!

[enor]

Start by rebuilding the amp. Always an eye-opener when one listens to the finished result!

[tpappano]

M3 bass pedals through a Leslie will make your teeth fall out of their sockets 8)

[geldo79]

Well.....i already replaced all electrolytic capacitors. You mean i should replace all components....caps and resistors? And what would you think of the leslie kit? There's also one cap (10mfd/250v), and three or so resistors in it. Should i rebuild that kit too ?

[enor]

New electrolytics is a very good start, but resistors etc also tend to drift with age. To start with, check that all voltages are within spec and take necessary measuers to correct those that aren't.

[geldo79]

To start with, check that all voltages are within spec and take necessary measuers to correct those that aren't.

As I'm not an electronics or tube amp expert, i try to only work on an unplugged amp right now :-\. Thus, my options are more or less replacing components and see if it helps.

I still have a line out box for my m3....and a leslie clone. Think i could connect it to my m3 and see if it still has lower bass compared to the legend connect to that leslie clone. If so....i would suspect the leslie kit. If not, i would concentrate more on rebuilding the amp, which would mean finding someone who can do this for me professionally.