I am thinking about getting a hammond L-100 and I would like some second opinions.

[Hans S. H.]

I am thinking about getting a Hammond L-100. If i buy it, it will be the first hammond organ i'll own. I am therefore wondering if i could get som second opinions about this.

Ofcourse I would rather get a B3, C3 or A-100, but I don't realy have space nor money for such an instrument.
I know that I have space for a L-100 and i got the money for one, but I think that i would like som second opinions and tips on what modifications I might want to do on such an instrument. I am studying electronics at school so i feel that I should be able to make smaller modifications to and electrical organ.

As for the organ im thinking about buying, it is in good shape and have been taken good care of. Before the last owner bought it he made sure it got an overhual by a proffesional, so i do not doubt that it is in good shape. The price, I think, is quite fair, sitting at 863.74 US dollars (I live in Norway and generaly prices are a bit higher here then other places) and I know i can get a leslie 110 too, if I pay about 150-180 US dollars more.
Also the person who owns it have tried to sell it for quite some time now, but has not had any luck so far, so I might be able to get a lower price if i buy both the organ and the leslie.

So im wondering if any of you would care to give me some second opinions about buying this organ, and any tips about good modifications for such an organ would be appreciated.
Thanks in advance.

[Jyvoipabo]

Hello,

The L100 is a very good device.
I have 2 at home who have too much traveled on stage and they are still alive.

What to watch first:

-The mechanical state. Not too much noise. The wheel keeps free running for at least 7 seconds after cutting the power.

-Not dead tone. You must have to pull each drawbar fully out one by one and check that no tone is missing. For the key affectation refer to 'Hammond-2587.pdf'.

-Check also power transformer and motor for a normal heating.

Other problems are mechanics and electronics which can be easy to fix.

The reference manual is : 'Hammond-2587.pdf'

JP

[Hans S. H.]

Thanks for the advice. When i go to look at it i shall look at the things you pointed out.

[Drawbar Dave]

Factor in the cost of a new run capacitor for the motor if it has not been recently replaced.

[Hans S. H.]

ok. i shall.

[enor]

For that price in Norway, you could also find an M-3 or M-100 which is a far better option (and the same size)!

[Hans S. H.]

the cheapest m-100 i have found yet goes for 1455.74 us dollars.
In norway that is ofcourse.

[enor]

Keep watching Finn.no! It's not uncommon for M-series organs to pop up there that are well within your price range. I live close to the border so I like to keep track of the market in Norway as well as in Sweden... :)

[Hans S. H.]

That i can understand. Im constntly looking. I think that in the end it will all depen on how much firewood im able to sell im my local community this year.
I know about one m-100, but its sligthly out of the price range. Another factor for me wanting a sertian L-100 on Finn.no is that the organ is just a ca. 2 hour drive away (barely even that). while others are 5-8 hour drives away.

[dunderola]

For the price you are offered to pay for those L100+leslie110 i can offer you a ”totally” overhauled M102+leslie125. But...in the Stockholm region in Sweden. Just a thought, not an add.

[Hans S. H.]

Thanks anyway. im planning on looking around a bit more anyway, soo why not look at what they got other places then norway.

[Drawbar Dave]

I'd certainly take the M100 over an L having owned both types.

[Pipeorganbuilder]

I have turned down five since Christmas for free. There were many sold to homes that didn't have anyone to play it. It was only for "status" and nice furniture in the closed up living room.
Two of them had not even been plugged in since new. There was not a outlet anywhere near the organ. Such a shame.

Michael

[Sweet Pete]

In Norway?
Here is my take on the situation.
An L100 and a Leslie simulator with some 5" nearfield biamped monitor speakers? Maybe a small subwoofer(like the 12" in the 110)?
All you really need; in spite of any 'wants' IMO,get the L100!
On the L100, inserting FX is possible requiring less modification to achieve the chorus,trem,overdrive and such.
The reason I'm steering you away from the Leslie 110 is only because it has no treble driver.
The animation is lacking high frequency.Most modern day stompboxes are a direct plug in to the L100 preamp,give or take some gain staging.
Then obtain one of those Leslie pedals and play in stereo with some small studio monitor style speakers.
Along with the Leslie 110 12" 'sub' speaker and a 'plate amp' of your choice installed.
Gives you a Leslie look,and treble sound for a smaller space from smaller speakers are just about right for all keyboards actually.
M100 and M3 are nicer models and I do prefer them.Certainly wouldn't roll my eyes at a proper working L100 set up correctly.
Many years ago I recorded with Norwegian,Eirik Wangberg producing. The L100 had a wah pedal inserted and a line out 'sans' Leslie.
After recording bed tracks at one facility,Eirik moved across town to a Neve desk for overdubs and mixdown.
I used an M3 on beds,overdubbed an L100.
Punch ins were some of the best,cleanest,natural sounding I have witnessed in fifty years of this,that was 46 years ago.
What did I listen to back in the day?.
Matt Fisher on pads and swells,Emo on that L100/C3 for solos though and that was about 1971-74?
They are both good instruments.Back then that's what I listened to.
The Band,Steppenwolf,3Dog. Was around to catch Mandala Soul Crusade and The Doors,and Sly Stone!
Manzarek played an L100 on Touch Me! Argent played one on Time Of The Season.
L100 is there for the taking,try and get the price down to allocate funds towards a Leslie sim or heaven forbid,a 122 Leslie.
The logistics made easy in lieu of no other models available,chances are you'll be more than happy with the L100.

I like Hammond enough to have one nearby in working order,an A102 at the moment.

Stay safe,have fun
cheers

[Hans S. H.]

Thanks. i shall look into the different options i have for speaker setups. I was thinking that a line out could be nice, if i get the organ that is, but i have mostly gotten reasuring responses on this topic i started, so i have gotten more encouraged to buy it.