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  • Hammond L-143



    Hi,</P>


    I've owned a Hammond spinet organ for about five years. I believe it's an L-143. It's two manuals, 41 (I believe) keys each, with the upper manual positioned right of center (I forget the correct term for this arrangement). The upper manual has percussion voices, a sustain, and one set of drawbars. The lower manual has some voices, including a string and horn, but I use the "flute 8'" mostly for left-hand work while soloing on the upper manual. There's a built-in Leslie that works pretty well, but not as glorious as the bigger, stand-alone Leslies.</P>


    Does anyone here know anything about the reputation of the L-143s? Thanks.</P>

  • #2
    Re: Hammond L-143



    I don't think it's an L-100 organ if it has a built in leslie...though I believe there is a L-200 which did have a leslie inside...</p>

    Some inconsistencies with your description and L-100's...</p>

    - the upper manual does not have percussion "voices"...rather the selection of 2nd, 3rd, decay and volume of the percussion</p>

    - upper manual sustain does not exist on this model
    </p>

    - the lower manual should only have 1 preset in addition to the drawbar selector, which is labeled "ensemble"</p>

    </p>

    Pull the organ away from the wall and have a look at the name plate for its correct model number, or take a picture of the organ.</p>

    Comment


    • #3
      Re: Hammond L-143



      Not absolutely sure what organ you have but it's definitely not an L series model. The offset manuals will have 44 keys each and the combination of upper drawbars and lower manual stops indicate its one of the 'Composer' series organs from the 1980's. There were three basic models, the 142xxx, 144xxx and 146xxx. The last 3 digits related to the style and wood finish of the console. If you can post a photo we can ID it precisely.</p>

      As for the reputation of these organs, it's not brilliant in terms of reliability. They tend to suffer from problems caused by the interconnectors between the internal circuit boards, but a good cleaning of these with Caig De-Oxit usually cures it.</p>

      As far as the sounds goes, these organs don't quite have the original Hammond townewheel sound, but it's nevertheless a good, strong organ sound, helped by the internal leslie.</p>

      Hope you have fun with it.</p>

      Andy</p>

      PS. No L series organ ever had an internal leslie. The L200 simply added the Rhythm II auto rhythm unit.
      </p>

      </p>
      It's not what you play. It's not how you play. It's the fact that you're playing that counts.

      New website now live - www.andrew-gilbert.com

      Current instruments: Roland Atelier AT900 Platinum Edition, Yamaha Genos, Yamaha PSR-S970, Kawai K1m
      Retired Organs: Lots! Kawai SR6 x 2, Hammond L122, T402, T500 x 2, X5. Conn Martinique and 652. Gulbransen 2102 Pacemaker. Kimball Temptation.
      Retired Leslies, 147, 145 x 2, 760 x 2, 710, 415 x 2.
      Retired synths: Korg 700, Roland SH1000, Jen Superstringer, Kawai S100F, Kawai S100P, Kawai K1

      Comment


      • #4
        Re: Hammond L-143



        G'day SD,</P>


        The boys are right, your Hammond is not an "L" model. However if the numerals "143" that you provide are correct then I don't think it is one of the "Composer" series either.</P>


        There were 2 Composer model series both with the basic model numbers 142xxx/144xxx/146xxx as Andy suggests.Each series can be distinguished by the next numeral in the model number ie. 1421xx for the 1st series released in 1982 and 1422xx for the 2nd series released in 1985. The final 2 numerals refer to the cabinet style and finish.</P>


        So, your "143" designation refers to series 1, finished in Early American (4)Cherry (3), whichsadly(?) was not used in the Composer models, only "22" Contemporary Walnut &amp; "15" Traditional Oak, which makes sense as these finishes are more suitable for an organ (no messy legs) made in Japan and destined for world markets.</P>


        Add to this series 2 was possibly the last Hammond range manufactured under US control, or the 1st under Australian, and if the latter is the case then I am surprised there were even 2 cabinet choices.</P>


        Shalom,</P>


        Ian</P>
        <P mce_keep="true"></P>
        <P mce_keep="true"></P>
        sigpic
        Hammond X77GT & Leslie 77P
        Lowrey C500 & Leslie 720/540
        Hammond T524 & Leslie 710
        Gulbransen Theatrum & Leslie 700
        Yamaha EL90T

        Comment


        • #5
          Re: Hammond L-143



          A little more info would be nice. Is it a tonewheel? No of keys precisely, no of drawbars for each manual, percussion voices etc.?</p>

          The only tonewheel spinets with a Leslie is the T-series, but it doesn't have a Flute 8" on the low manual. So it sounds like it is a later transistor thingy.</p>

          </p>
          http://www.etcetera-music.eu/public/...2/t522page.htm

          Comment


          • #6
            Re: Hammond L-143



            Any more information for us, Stopped Diapason? A photo would clinch it.</p>

            We know it's 1980's LSI, not tonewheel, but the 143 bit has us slightly baffled.</p>

            I'd still go for the Composer series, perhaps with a misread of the number, as I think that's the only place you'll find just one set of drawbars and a lower Flute 8' stop. However, there was a series of cheapies produced for Hammond by Orla (just after they'd stopped making them for Lowrey!) and there was an XL1xx model. That may have had just one set of drawbars.</p>

            </p>
            It's not what you play. It's not how you play. It's the fact that you're playing that counts.

            New website now live - www.andrew-gilbert.com

            Current instruments: Roland Atelier AT900 Platinum Edition, Yamaha Genos, Yamaha PSR-S970, Kawai K1m
            Retired Organs: Lots! Kawai SR6 x 2, Hammond L122, T402, T500 x 2, X5. Conn Martinique and 652. Gulbransen 2102 Pacemaker. Kimball Temptation.
            Retired Leslies, 147, 145 x 2, 760 x 2, 710, 415 x 2.
            Retired synths: Korg 700, Roland SH1000, Jen Superstringer, Kawai S100F, Kawai S100P, Kawai K1

            Comment


            • #7
              Re: Hammond L-143



              Hey, I know this is a really old thread, but I've just been given one of these "composer" series organs. A 146K from 1983. Wow! The fveatures on it are great!</P>


              It has an arpeggiator and buzzy string sounds very remeniscent of the old moog records... like "kaleidoscopic vibrations" popcorn and all that. The arpeggiator sounds like background music from the original Hitchhiker's guide to the Galaxy radio show in the episodes from the early eighties.</P>


              Very retro synth sounds. As an organ, it has a WAY better tone than the older Cougar 8000 model I had sitting around (which is now going to be cut up as a cadaver for parts for my T500 frankenstein mods.... maybe a second switchable set of drawbars??) almost.. uh, hammond like but not quite. </P>


              I remember when Technics hit the scene with all their fancy features... home organs started getting very flash around that stage. This 146K is a beauty! Dozens of lights make it look a bit fancy in the dark. Got some photos waitingon the camera to put up....</P>


              It's destined for my Dad's place, but I hope I get to do some retro "moog" or kaleidoscopic-vibrations type multi trackrecordings before he gets it....</P>


              Cheers!</P>


              -Brendoon</P>
              -1958 Hofner 550 archtop guitar -1959 C3 and PR40- -1964 Busillachio Harmonium- -1964 M101-
              -1967ish Leslie 122- -1975 T500 (modded..chopped, and reassembled!)-
              -DIY 760 FrankenLeslie/rat hideout-
              -1980 Electrokey Electric Piano- -Yamaha electric Harmonium (early 80's?)-
              -1990 Jansen GMF150 amp- -1992 Korg 01W/fd- -1992 G&L S-500 geetar.

              Comment

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