Hammond C2 and Leslie 914

[Steven Butler]

Hello all!

I recently came into the ownership of an immaculate condition C2 and was curious as to if I could pair it with the leslie 914 cabinet with little to no modifications..I found specs on the 914 but thats about it...they seem to always be paired with an XB model organ. Im heading out in a few weeks to pickup my C2, just waiting on the shop to install the fast/slow switch since it didn't come with one. The tone cabinet thats with the organ is just a JR20, so I wanted to upgrade and found a deal with two 914 leslies.

I was also wondering, is the C2 like the black sheep of the Hammond family? Its been rare to see anyone talking about them, but always something on the favorite sons the B3/C3 models..

General info and advice greatly appreciated!!

[Drawbar Dave]

The 914 is an 11 pin Leslie so you could install a Leslie Control Centre/11 pin console connector kit. The signal from your organ would go to pin 1, the rotary channel and the 11 pin type Leslie allows fast stop and slow settings.

[Lazlo]

Hi Steven - you're right in that there's not that much chat about the C2. But I know there are quite few forum members who have one. I'm sure you're aware that it's only the percussion tabs that sonically separate this model (and the mechanically identical B2) from the C3/B3/A100 etc. And there's lots of discussion about -3 series Hammonds that, on the whole, will relate to your C2.

The C2 has split vibrato which is a useful feature and quite a few -2 series owners on this forum have mentioned going down the Trek-II percussion add-on/upgrade route making it very much closer (nearly identical some would say) to the -3 series. Kinda depends what musical route you're going down playing-wise if you'd want to add the Trek-II - it does broaden the tonal palette but in no way is it essential (IMO). You can still get superb jazz registrations on the C2. In fact, you can superb anything on the C2.

Congrats on purchasing such a good-looking example.

All the best
Lazlo, UK

[tiredoldgeezer]

Hi Steven - you're right in that there's not that much chat about the C2. But I know there are quite few forum members who have one.

Congrats on purchasing such a good-looking example.

Good point. One of my organs, arguably my favorite, is my C2. It has Electro-Voice percussion in the left cheekblock.

His is WAY cleaner. Mine has storage dust.

[David Anderson]

I like 2-series organs, especially the later ones with smooth drawbars. They were extremely well-made compared to, say, 1970s 3-series organs when quality had declined.

If it hasn't been done, the C2 preamp will need to be rebuilt. Certain capacitors and resistors should be replaced, and I'd add a fuse to the PT primary.