Any Other Hammond Organ Players/Fans in Tulsa?

[Steve]

quote:Originally posted by mdunn

Hammonds have a sound all of their own,my father always had one,great instrument!

So right mdunn!  A unique American invention.  The first Hammond organ in 1934 was intended to be a cheap alternative to the traditional pipe organ, cheaper true, but in replacing the pipe organ, it failed.  But in the process, the Hammond Organ Company created a unique American instrument with its own sound, later to become a mainstay of blues, gospel, black churches and rock bands worldwide.

What is so phenominal about Hammond tonewheel organs, besides the unique sounds, is the build quality.  These beasts were built to last for 200+ years.  With proper maintenance, a Hammond tonewheel organ will live on for 100's of years, as long as the organ has been properly oiled and vacuum tubes are available.

I find it very ironic that all digital keyboard manufacturers today try to emulate the "Hammond Sound."  They can't exactly, and they never will given all the complex specifics of the mechanical tonewheel generator, the keyboard contacts, the tube preamp, etc.  Even the new "B-3" manufactured by Hammond-Suzuki of Japan has resorted to the original 9-buss bar mechanical key contact arangement of the original Hammond organs, to include the "key click" sound so distinctive of the Hammond Organ.  Brand new digital Hammonds cost $30,000 today; you can pick up a vintage B-3 with Leslie for much less than $10,000 depending on the local market, and have great vintage Hammond gear that will outlive you and sound magnificent with proper normal maintenance.

[nurseeroc]

Steve,

I suppose someone  did use oil other than the right kind in the past.  I used that trick in February, waiting a little while, and it went away, and has not been back!



Do you know where I can find a good source of Hammond drawbars?  I've contacted the local repair man Mr. Wheeler, and haven't heard back from him yet.  I know he is VERY busy, so I'm just waiting patiently.  

ALSO, I have a blog, as well as a new friend of mine in Europe over the process of our restoring the L122, and the L143 back to working order.  Visit:

www.hammondl143.blogspot.com

and

www.hammondl122.blogspot.com

I'm in charge of the L143.  I could use some tips on cleaning materials as well.  This L143 was in storage, and I believe mice urinated on it, thus leading to the formation of rust in a lot of the housings.  This is also what lead to the demise of the drawbars I seek.  I need to replace them STAT.  

Any help would be great.  I'm using CLR sparingly to clean the keys, and the key supports.  I would love input on how to get rid of this rust,.....not even CLR is taking it off!

-Eric

[rwarn17588]

quote:Originally posted by Conan71

I noticed in your last post a mention of Booker T. Jones.  I love Booker T. & the MG's.  I've got their best of collection- plenty of great Hammond stuff in there.  I've lost count of who all else he sat in with over the years.

Didn't Boston also rely heavily on a B-3 Hammond?

Benmont Tench, the keyboardist with Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers, is an exceptional B-3 player.

So's the fellas with Counting Crows and Jakob Dylan.

And I've been wracking my brain for weeks trying to remember this one until today ... I listened to a CD a few years ago by Moe Denham, who recorded an album titled "The Soul Jazz Sessions." It all featured Moe's playing on the B-3, and the sound he produced was fat and pleasing. A most enjoyable CD.

More here:

http://www.moedenham.com/index.html

[Steve]

quote:Originally posted by nurseeroc

Steve,
I suppose someone  did use oil other than the right kind in the past.  I used that trick in February, waiting a little while, and it went away, and has not been back!
Do you know where I can find a good source of Hammond drawbars?  I've contacted the local repair man Mr. Wheeler, and haven't heard back from him yet.  I know he is VERY busy, so I'm just waiting patiently.  
-Eric

Your heat trick may have been a permanent fix, if the oiling system was not severly gunked up by impropper oil.  I hope so.  Time will tell.

Replacement drawbars are seen all the time on EBAY, for all various models of Hammonds.  Just search "Hammond Organ" on EBAY and a multitude of spare parts will pop up.  

I am a member of the Internet Hammond discussion forum:

http://www.zeni.net/pipermail/hammond/

This is the address for the forum archives, which are searchable.  Go to the homepage and join.  This discussion group is full of top-notch Hammond tallent from all around the world, and Hammond repair folks that really know their stuff.   An invaluable resource for keeping our prized organs in top condition.  There are often parts for sale posted here, but mainly priceless technical info. about maintaining Hammonds.

Mice and rodents can be a bigtime problem for Hammonds that have been left in storage.  As far as rust removal, I can't answer your questions, but join the Hammond list I referrenced and post your questions.  I am sure you will get many replies and fix suggestions.  I do know a product that is a big friend of the Hammond owner is "Caig Deoxit D5."  I always have several cans on hand.  A great lubricant, deoxidation cleaner.  Used to clean electric contacts and clean/lubricate drawbar contacts.  

[nurseeroc]

I have a Hammond CV, S6, and L143 for sale if anyone is interested!

[nurseeroc]

The organs for sale are on craigslist.

http://tulsa.craigslist.org/msg/719961862.html

Check them out if you are interested!

-Eric

[Krëg]

Bought an X-77 w/ Leslie cabinet back in August.  Could use some advice about whom to contact in Tulsa for service.

[Steve]

quote:Originally posted by Krëg

Bought an X-77 w/ Leslie cabinet back in August.  Could use some advice about whom to contact in Tulsa for service.

Sent you a private message & email.  Will phone tonight to discuss.  Great to find another Hammond owner/fan in Tulsa.  
Steve

[vivi]

[]Hi everyone

I own a hammond dolphin organ.
I lately changed a defective device on the tone generator board (vibrato was not working).
Now it's working very well, but i don't know
what would be the right calibration for the rate and depth vibrato. (2 potentiometer to calibrate).  

I own a scope and a frequencymeter to perform this.
My question: Does anyone know how much the frequency should shift +/- when we turn on a vibrato ? (depth)
And at what rate speed ?

What are the usual specifications for a vibrato on an organ ?

The vibrato button on my keyboard has 2 speed position.

thanks .
vianney

[Steve]

quote:Originally posted by vivi

[]I own a hammond dolphin organ.
I lately changed a defective device on the tone generator board (vibrato was not working).
Now it's working very well, but i don't know
what would be the right calibration for the rate and depth vibrato. (2 potentiometer to calibrate).  
vianney

I emailed you the schematic for the MDD generator board per your request, but have yet to hear any reply or acknowledgement from you.  I can only assume you received these files and they were helpful.  You're welcome.

I have briefly scanned my Hammond Concorde 2100-2300 service manual and can not find details of the vibrato rate adjustment at first scan.  I will double-check of course at my convenience.
You mention the vibrato is now working very well.  Vibrato I should be a rather shallow, slow pitch variation.  Vibrato II should be about double, in pitch and speed.  Vibrato III, if your organ is capable and usually a combo of I & II, should be a slightly stronger version of Vibrato II.  

Just play it by ear.  If the vibrato now functions to your liking, leave it alone.  You can always play with the pot adjustments and find the optimal level to your own tastes.  At least it is now apparently functioning normally.  Any setting that you arrive at should have no affect on the playability and proper functioning of the console.

[vivi]

Hi Steve,

I didn't receive anything by email yet.
Probably an email server somewhere failed to delivery..

Anyway i found what i was looking for on the web. The X-5 hammond organ has the same MDD generator as my Dolphin organ. I found the calibration procedure for the vibrato. The speed should be adjust to 6.8 hz (150ms), and stay the same for vibrato I and II.
And you are right for the pitch, it should be  exactly the double from vib 1 to 2.

I picked-up this organ from my neighbor's garbage. People throw everything these days.. Made in 1977. Fully electronic, with a built in leslie. It doesn't wort much compare to your tonwewheel's ones i suppose. My mother will have fun with it.[]
see ya

[Steve]

quote:Originally posted by vivi

Hi Steve,

I didn't receive anything by email yet.
Probably an email server somewhere failed to delivery..

Anyway i found what i was looking for on the web. The X-5 hammond organ has the same MDD generator as my Dolphin organ. I found the calibration procedure for the vibrato. The speed should be adjust to 6.8 hz (150ms), and stay the same for vibrato I and II.
And you are right for the pitch, it should be  exactly the double from vib 1 to 2.

I picked-up this organ from my neighbor's garbage. People throw everything these days.. Made in 1977. Fully electronic, with a built in leslie. It doesn't wort much compare to your tonwewheel's ones i suppose. My mother will have fun with it.[]
see ya

I emailed you the schematic in 3 files for the MDD Concorde board, didn't receive any problem message, so I assumed you received it.  Glad you got the info. you needed.

Non-tonewheel Hammonds aren't worth anything on the secondary market, but the musical sounds are all a matter of personal taste.  I love my tonewheel A102/Leslie 251, and I also love my Concorde 2307M/Leslie 710.  Both entirely different beasts, but I appreciate them both.

[alfaranch]

I have had a old Hammond CV for about 16 years now.  A couple I know moved into a house and the previous owners had left the CV and a DR-20 tone cabinet behind.  I told my friend that it was a Hammond Tonewheel organ and he said that I could have it if I could haul it off OR it would go to the dump - ?!!

I have kept it oiled and happy ever since taking possession but I have a few questions you might help me with.  I later found another deal on a Leslie 147 that a couple inherited and was going to turn it into a "wine cabinet" if they could not find a buyer.  I bought pre-amp and a B+ module to power the organ without the tone cabinet but I am a little apprehensive about installing something with 200+ DC current involved.  Do you or know of anybody that services Hammond Organs in the Tulsa area. I also wanted to get a basic evaluation - does it need new capacitors, tubes, etc.

I also do not play keyboard(s) but love the sound and want to learn - can you recommend someone that teaches piano/organ for adults. I would like to learn some basic jazz/pop/rock and the appropriate draw-bar settings.  

My organ was built in 1945 and it amazes me that it still works and sounds great.

-Scott

[Steve]

quote:Originally posted by alfaranch

I have had a old Hammond CV for about 16 years now.  A couple I know moved into a house and the previous owners had left the CV and a DR-20 tone cabinet behind.  I told my friend that it was a Hammond Tonewheel organ and he said that I could have it if I could haul it off OR it would go to the dump - ?!!

I have kept it oiled and happy ever since taking possession but I have a few questions you might help me with.  I later found another deal on a Leslie 147 that a couple inherited and was going to turn it into a "wine cabinet" if they could not find a buyer.  I bought pre-amp and a B+ module to power the organ without the tone cabinet but I am a little apprehensive about installing something with 200+ DC current involved.  Do you or know of anybody that services Hammond Organs in the Tulsa area. I also wanted to get a basic evaluation - does it need new capacitors, tubes, etc.

My organ was built in 1945 and it amazes me that it still works and sounds great.

-Scott

Great questions Scott.  There are Hammonds around today from 1934-1935 that are still going strong.  These babys were built to last, amazing hand-crafted quality that will never be duplicated again.  Your CV, properly maintained, should last another 100 years.

A Leslie 147 can be easily hooked up to a CV with a new Leslie 6147 kit that is manufactured today.  It is hard to answer your questions without seeing the organ and assessing its condition.  Any tube amps/preamps that are 60 years old should definately be rebuilt and have resistors & capacitors replaced, tubes checked and/or replaced, tube sockets checked & cleaned, and an overall "check-up."  I would also recommend having all amps/preamps fused to prevent damage if not done so already.  Hammond didn't believe much in fuses, and if a rectifier tube blows, it can fry a transformer and cause expensive damage.  This happened to the reverb amp in my A100 and I now have all amps and preamps fused to prevent this from happening again.  A preamp rebuild can restore amazing brilliance and punch to old tonewheel Hammonds and make it sound as good as new.

Check out this Hammond forum:
http://www.zeni.net/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/hammond
The guys on this Hammond forum can expertly answer nearly any question you may have.

All the long-time Hammond techs in Tulsa have died.  A man named Patrick Burnham with Tulsa Piano did some work for me, removing and reinstalling my A102 preamp after it was rebuilt out of state.  He also did a keyboard buss bar cleaning job for me, no small job, so he is pretty knowledgeable about tonewheel Hammonds.  His phone is 855-9942; it has been 2 years or so since I have been in contact with him, but this is the last contact info I have.

Rick Prevalett runs a very highly respected Hammond/Leslie repair/restoration company in Kansas City called Tonewheel General Hospital.  They say he does expert work, but you would have to transport the organ or parts to him for restoration.  His website is www.tonewheelgeneral.com  Email him and I am sure he would be glad to answer any of your questions.  To my knowledge, this is the closest Hammond expert shop to Tulsa.  Patrick Burnham in Tulsa did great work for me for labor, but for outright amp rebuilding with proper parts and expertise, I wouldn't trust any local Tulsa outfits.

Many Hammond fans believe the CV and its sucessor the C2 (along with the BV,B2) were the best sounding consoles Hammond ever made, lots of guts, punch and growl when properly restored.  I'm a big fan of the A100. It's all a matter of personal taste however, the "heart and soul" tonewheel generator didn't change much from 1934 to 1975.

[alfaranch]

Hi Steve,

Thank you so much for the information.

I had purchased my upgrades and mods from Rick Prevalett in the past - great (and patient) guy to deal with. He walked me thru hooking up the B+ power supply so I could (with the use of a Trekk 1/4" tap out module and a Speakeasy Leslie preamp) power the CV without the tone cabinet.  I am guessing the approach you mentioned is more correct but I got it all installed and passed the "smoke test".  

When you mentioned the "growl & punch" of the old CV this really came out thru the Leslie 147.  I could not believe how amazing it sounded!  With all of the draw bars out and the 147 spinning I could hear the late/great Billy Preston in the sound.

I plan to take your advice and change out the tubes just to be safe.  A guy that helped me move it mentioned a local Hammond service/repairman - Richard Wheeler.  I didn't know if you are familiar with him or his work.

I really like the A100 series.  Seems like you get the great sounds of the B3 in a much more manageable size cabinet. That is the one issue I have with the C console - pretty big for home use. Also have heard some players online say they prefer the sound of the A100 over a B3 or C3.

Thanks also for introducing this forum subject.  I am glad to see local Tulsa fans of such a great and unique instrument.

-Scott