New member - L100, T500, E-100

[Frank Carvalho]

Hi</p>


My name is Frank. I just found this great forum, and I think I am going to hang out here a lot in the future. I was aware of the Hammond and Theatre Organ pages, and also used to be on the Hammond mailing list. Is this forum it's successor?</p>

I am the happy owner of an L-122 and a T-500. Both are great organs I think. While I notice that that the L-100 is being discussed a lot - and rightfully so - the T-series is almost not mentioned. I searched by tag and found very few threads even mentioning the T-series. Is it a particularly unpopular model? I did most of the tweaks suggested by the http://www.keyboardpartner.de/hammon...ifications.htm site, except the ones that required a special valve amp stage kit that is not sold anymore, and it sounds great. I've recorded a few things with it, and even managed to get it to sound somewhat like that majestic sound of mr. Emerson on Karn Evil 9. The scanner vibrato on the T-500 really sounds good.
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I have one problem with the T-500 - the hum level. I can't really pinpoint the source of the hum, but it seems to be worse if the internal Leslie is attached than if not. I hope to be able to find the source of that problem some day, but I have not yet found suggestions for this problem in the archives of this forum.</p>

I would also like to add an effects loop to the T-500, but I don't know where to put it. From the diagrams it seems to me that the signals are transported at DC levels ranging from 5 volts to 15 volts, so I don't think that putting an effects loop in those lines is the right thing to do. The levels seem to be offset to a DC of 0 volts somewhere around the last preamp stage, but at that stage, just before the power transistors, the signal is way too hot to add a loop. So where do I put it. (I have the schematics if someone is willing to explain to me where to put it). This organ has a built in Leslie adaptor for 7xx Leslies. Are the signal levels for the Leslie such that you may plug in effects there?
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Regarding the L-100. I would also like to add an effects loop here. One article suggested the output of the percussion amp. Are the levels at this point right for adding an effects loop? If I remember correctly, the signal is output through a simple RCA plug. I it really that easy? Just unplug, plug in another RCA to the effect input, and the effect out to the original RCA plug? And then - forgive my bad memory (the L-100 is not at my home right now) - is the percussion amp the metal chassis behind the percussion tabs?
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One last question. I've been considering buying an E-100, but can't find enough info about this model. I've figured that it's a tonewheel organ, and that it uses valve amplification. But does it have a mechanical scanner chorus/vibrato? The keyboard seems to be wide. Does it have a foldback? (especially in the deep end?) How is the percussion, that is, can you get the percussive voices of the L-100 on an E-100, or does it have weird voices like the T-500 that you have to modify to be useful?
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Thanks </p>

Frank
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[andyg]

Re: New member - L100, T500, E-100



A quick post before I shoot off to work.</P>


Welcome to the fold, Frank. It is a great site and I'm sure you'll find lots to discuss here. It's a lot more than a Hammond list replacement.</P>


I'm a fully paid up member of the T club. I've had a few T's over the years and currently have a T402 plus a leslie 760. I've done some of Carsten's tweaks too, but stopped short of altering the organ's basic tone, as I like the crispness of the T sound. One day, when spance and funds permit, there will be a valve Hammond and Leslie here as well. And an X66, but that's another story.</P>


The T may not have the kudos of the L and M series, but it has its fans!</P>


Andy</P>

[bremar]

Re: New member - L100, T500, E-100



Frank,</p>

E-100's are real sleepers--full size console with foldback, plus a nice big tube amp, plus reverb. The percussion is similar to the T series, but if you've modded your L, this should be a snap. They do have scanner vibrato, with the T-esque vibrato celeste I and II, which I really like. But don't clog up all you real estate with organs--where will you put the Leslie?
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[toasterDude]

Re: New member - L100, T500, E-100



I agree - I've always thought the E100s looked like a great deal - a full console for a spinet price, from what I've seen in the classifieds. I started out with an L100-series, then an M3, then an A100 (and now a C3 too [&lt;:o)]) -- had I known then what I know now, I wouldn't have bothered with the first two, I would've just picked up the first E100 that came along, while I waited to score on a -3 series console. (In fact not knowing any better I passed on an E100 plus Leslie 147 for about $850 - D'oh!)</P>


Anyway here's a detailed technical post on another forum, from a highly knowledgeable tech:</P>


http://www.zeni.net/pipermail//hammo...er/009417.html(re: modifying E100 percussion).</P>


Other than the percussion, the main knock I've heard on the E100s is the bass pedals. Apparently they're monophonic only, and some say they sound crappy, because apparently the pedal tones (or some of them?) are derived using divider circuitry like you have on combo organs. But I'd still rank that above an M3: my '55 M3 had the worst pedal sound ever, and I found the lack of a full octave to be extremely frustrating! But you get "full" pedals on the E100s (25 but not AGO-spec 32). Anyway good luck with the E100 if you decide to get it. TD</P>

[Frank Carvalho]

Re: New member - L100, T500, E-100



Thanks so far. I understand from the link that the E-100 has single trig, like the L-100, and not a multi-key trig like the T-series. That is at least one thing that will not have to be modified then. Only the voicing of the percussion, and that is probably a much easier mod that changing the trig.

How is the E-100 key click compared to L-100, T-series and B-3 etc. With the L- and T-series, Hammond changed the filtering to suppress the key click, and changed the sound at the same time. Where is the E-100 in this respect.</p>

And another question: Does the E-100 have a Leslie adaptor? </p>

Oh, and BTW, I do have a Leslie 760. If I got an E-100 I would probably sell one of the other organs I have. Except which one?? I like them both.
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[andyg]

Re: New member - L100, T500, E-100



The E doesn't have a Leslie adaptor. Like the M100 and A100 it has 'stereo' reverb, ie it goes through its own amp and speaker. Best idea is to take the signal from the main speakers only, leaving the reverb on the organ's speakers. Pretty standard 760 kit should do the job nicely.</P>


As for the E keyclick, I think it's pretty much like the L and T.</P>


Personally, I'd sell the L. You've got a superior instrument in the T. I'm not thinking so much of the sound (though your mods will have made a more M100 type sound from it) but think of the 8' bass, pedal sustain, pedal mute and scanner vibrato that the L doesn't have.</P>


Andy</P>

[Brendon Wright]

Re: New member - L100, T500, E-100



I'm a new member also. I'm excessively chuffed to be here.</P>


I've just been hit with sudden showers of goodies from heaven... (after all, who designed the tonewheel anyway? Gotta be from heaven.)</P>


A friend and I have JUST found and purchased a C3 with its PR40 from a little church who hasn't used it for decades. It's so CLEAN(physically, I mean! No corrosion, no dirt...)We have the tec checking it over now. We're on the hunt for a leslie next. Perhaps a 122. Is that the recommendation?</P>


Tomorrow I'm picking up (for home and occasional outings) a TX-500, not presently working. I've found the same repair and MOD site you mentioned and I can't wait to get to work on it!!!!!!! I've just had the offer of some sort of wurlitzer, for futher down the track also.</P>


Hammonds are terribly hard to find here in New Zealand.</P>


I'd love tohear the insider experiences of all T-owners also, so keep posting your findings, Andy and all!</P>

[Brendon Wright]

Re: New member - L100, T500, E-100



Actually, I've heard about that hum on T-500's before.</P>


Does the tone generator on the t500 have nuts for unlocking the suspension like the bigger models did?</P>

[andyg]

Re: New member - L100, T500, E-100



No, the T series TWG doesn't need to be bolted down for transit. It's fixed in place.</p>

Andy
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[crossyinoz]

Re: New member - L100, T500, E-100

[quote user="Brendon Wright"]


We're on the hunt for a leslie next. Perhaps a 122. Is that the recommendation?</P>


Tomorrow I'm picking up a TX-500, [/quote]</P>


G'day Brendon,</P>


Leslie 122 is absolutely the way to go, or look for the same thing in the lowboy furniture cabinet, model 222, or the "shorty" version, model 142, and the furniture version thereof, model 242.</P>


You may come across models 122R, 122V, 122RV or 222RV, same thing again but these models either have or will accept reverb.</P>


Good vintage Leslies are like gold in our part of the world so be prepared to open your wallets, or as I did import one from the US formuch less money and do the necessary mods locally.</P>


You Kiwis must have had a Hammond we never saw across the ditch - T500 we know, but what is a TX500?</P>


Cheers,</P>


Ian</P>
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[andyg]

Re: New member - L100, T500, E-100



The TX500 is either a pedestal style T500 - like the XTP, or a TTR style T500, AKA TTR500 in Europe. It seems to depend on where you are in the world.
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You might like to consider the 147 instead of the 122, it has a little more crispness at the top end, and that matches the T series quite nicely. Or even the solid state 760/770. I've got a walnut 760 on my T400, but I've owned T's and had 145's, 147's and 122's on them. To be honest, any of them sound great on the T. I said earlier that I liked the crisp sound of the T - not everyone does, and to some it's the 'poor relation' of the tonewhel spinets. Not for me!</p>

Andy
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[Brendon Wright]

Re: New member - L100, T500, E-100



Oh yeah!</P>


I pick up the TX-500 today, hopefully. The chap's going away for a few weeks and today's his only chance. I'm almost tempted to skip church in case he rings and says. "NOW!" </P>


After playing synth forTOO many yearsI'm more than impatient to lay my hands on the real thing again.(our church has never had an organ. We're rockers. A friend and I bought A C3 last week which will doublefor church use and for his recording studio which convenientlybacks onto the stage. An excellent tenant!)</P>
<P mce_keep="true">And I know this is probably another thread (am I transgressing here? I'm new to this game) butIan mentioned something Idesperately want to know (If this should be another thread, then let's start one, but I'm champingat the bit to know...) for the above mentioned C3: this aforementioned 122 leslie... we can get newhammond-suzuki leslie 122a's here, but they cost about asmuch as I couldsell my upper torso for on the black market.</P>
<P mce_keep="true">I've heard they sound different from the classic units. Do they?</P>
<P mce_keep="true">There's vintage ones from the states or England (and like Australia and GB, we're 240v 50hz here in New Zealand).</P>
<P mce_keep="true">Ian, what was the freight like? What would it cost fromthe UK? What was the electric conversion process like and what did it cost?</P>
<P mce_keep="true">I want to do the same for my T, (get an external Leslie), and it's the same questions again, all over. More expert advice, please?</P>
<P mce_keep="true">Thanks muchly, all!</P>

[Brendon Wright]

Re: New member - L100, T500, E-100

[quote user="andyg"]


I've got a walnut 760 on my T400, but I've owned T's and had 145's, 147's and 122's on them. To be honest, any of them sound great on the T.</P>


[/quote]</P>
<P mce_keep="true">Thanks Andy, that brings up, though, surely the 760 is the "correct" model for the T series? What's the difference? It sounds like one can attach any leslie to a T.</P>
<P mce_keep="true">What is it that gives the T it's crispness? Is it a transistor effect, or is it otherwise engineered in the circuitry?</P>
<P mce_keep="true">In fact, can you otherwise describe the sound?</P>
<P mce_keep="true">Thanks Andy!</P>

[crossyinoz]

Re: New member - L100, T500, E-100

[quote user="Brendon Wright"]
<P mce_keep="true">Ian mentioned something Idesperately want to know for the above mentioned C3: this aforementioned 122 leslie... we can get newhammond-suzuki leslie 122a's here, but they cost about asmuch as I couldsell my upper torso for on the black market.</P>
<P mce_keep="true">I've heard they sound different from the classic units. Do they?</P>
<P mce_keep="true">Ian, what was the freight like? What was the electric conversion process like and what did it cost?</P>
<P mce_keep="true">I want to do the same for my T, (get an external Leslie), and it's the same questions again, all over. More expert advice, please?</P>


[/quote]</P>


G'day Brendon,</P>


The 122A/147A Leslies are available here and you are dead right about the price. I've never heard one, simply because no one in the circles I move inhas purchased one. All I can tell you is that they are functionally &amp; electrically the same as the vintage models, but have single rotor motors, a foam bass rotor and a different treble driver.</P>


Because they are a very scarce finite resource, (and probably even more so in NZ) a good vintage122 and/or its derivatives can pull AUD$2K without much trouble. A 145 (universal version of 142) sold recently in Melbourne for AUD$1500.</P>


Should you further investigate importing one from the US, You will need to purchase locally a 240/117V step down transformer that can handle 10% more than the wattage specified on the cab. eg. a 242 Hammond cab. pulls 200W, so your transformer needs to handle minimum 220W. Then you need to replace bothupper &amp; lowerpullies with the 50Hz versions so the rotors spin at the correct speed. Then there's the matter of a connection kit - the current Hammond Suzuki kit for 122A will do the job or your tech may be able to make one. (so can you if you're that way inclined).</P>


As for freight, its cost will depend on what you can negiotiate with a freight forwarder, how much any local duties or taxes may be, and of course the exchange rate at the time of purchase.</P>


I was a lucky bloke as I got my Leslie when our exchange rate was 97c/USD,(about when Bear Sterns Bank fell over)and Oz has a free trade agreement with the US (probably the only thing Dubya &amp; Howard did that was any good), which eliminates any duty or tax on any single consignment worth less than USD$1K. Our exchange rate is now 79c/USD, meaning that the same deal would have cost me an extra 20% if done today. So before considering importing check your exchange rate, find out what localtaxes or duties, if any, are applicable, and get an estimate for freight. Add all this to the FOB capital cost of the cab. and you've got your landed cost in Christchurch. Then decide if it's financially worth all the stuffing around - for me it was.</P>


I should add that my Leslie came over Air NZ into Melbourne via Auckland, and the whole exercise took around 7 days, &amp; DHL International did the freight forwarding.</P>


For your "T" go with what Andy &amp; I have suggested, all will do a good job. Just one tip, model 760 in our part of the worldwas a vinyl finish job, where Andy's is wood. Model 770was the wood version for us, same thing, same appearance &amp; finish as 122/147, but solid state and 9 pin connection.</P>


Shalom,</P>


Ian</P>
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[Brendon Wright]

Re: New member - L100, T500, E-100



Thanks Ian and Andy!</P>


Frank just emailed me with some extra tips and encouragement on the TX-500. </P>


The frustrating news is that now I have to wait another three weeks to get the instrument!</P>


The chap who wascheerfully donatingit to me couldn't fit it in before his holiday.(He's my Mortgage manager. A respectable chap, just not a knowedgableorganist).</P>


I haven't even seen thedesired object(gift horse and all that) and he mistakenly remembered it as a TZ-500, which is in fact the name of a motorcycle. TX was the nearest fit, I thought. I have to wait nearly another month to find out. </P>


It's non operational at present, so I'm looking forward to the project (starting with oiling it!) apparently the previous owner to him hadused it forgigs, I don't know the condition of it.</P>


However, The C3 my colleague and I bought last week has been oiled, and it's getting some missing valves replaced (today?) so, while it's notinstalled at home with me, it should "console" me for now, as I mentioned to Frank in the email. </P>


The TX is going to be my home machine. It'll be grand with a leslie and a bit of a growl added...</P>
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