DUDE! I'm glad to see a youngster like you getting into the vintage Hammond game. You remind me of me, 55 years ago. ;-) I'm retired now, but I was a pro Hammond repair tech for many decades, as well as a road musician. I've been paying the B3 for 58 years. I'm going to turn you on to some tricks and lore. First, your B3 is *not* a 1955. If it was, it would have wooden cheek blocks at the ends of the manuals (keyboards) instead of black plastic. 1960 (some folks say 1959) was the last year for wood cheeks. Second - do you know about locking down the tone generator before you move one of these? If not, say so and I'll post the procedure. Third, tubes are (so far) no problem - I have many hundreds of each type required for the B3/C3/A100 (and others) in stock. Russian tubes are not the finest known by a long shot, although many of them are quite good now. At any rate, neither the Russians nor anyone else currently manufacturing tubes makes the 6AU6, the 6C4, or the 6X4, all of which are required for these organs. I have NOS (New Old Stock) on hand for every tube in a B3. Gimme a shout if you need any. Removing/re-installing the pedal clavier (that's Organ Nerd terminology for "the pedals") - is not as tough as it looks, if you know the trick. The problem is that every way you can figure out to lift them up is way uncomfortable, or even dangerous to your back. Here's how to do it: straddle the back end of the pedal unit, with a foot on each side of the pedal pivot/spring box. Now, bend over/squat and put your forehead against the wood rail that's just below the lower manual. You now have a three-point suspension for your body, which allows you to use your arms to lift the pedals up, pull them slightly back, and tilt them so they'll clear the organ's legs. Do this backwards to re-install them. You'll have to practice a bit before you can do this smoothly, so have someone spot for you while you're learning.
There's a lot of room reverb on your voice, and I thought you said the organ was from 1955. That's what 58 years of amplified music will do for ya - be advised. ;-)
Hi James I am really enjoying your videos, I saw one of these many years ago smashed to pieces at a rubbish tip. It was so sad to see all the broken keys and mangled metal and wood but I knew what it was and knew I would never be able to repair it.
Love your videos, entertaining and informative. I'd love to see a "what to look for in an organ". I'd like to purchase a L series spinnet and they often have keys and drawbars that don't work and I'm never sure if that is a fix I can tackle myself or if I should just run the other way.
I figured it would be easier to reach (and film as well) from the top like that. There were lots of wires in the way if you tried to do it from the back. Most of the other drawbars could easily be fixed from the rear. Either way would work, I think.
I have not heard they are not. We looked at the C version, but the B was heavy enough. We tried to pick up a C just as a test, and thought no I don't think this is going to work.
Yes, vacuum tubes are still available for any given tube number. Russia manufactures the majority of tubes, and they are of the highest quality known. tubedepot.com/ www.amplifiedparts.com/products/tubes? Russian Brand: Sovtek
I just found a big older organ at the local salvation army store . Thursday. I forgot the name. it has the long pedals. and one broken plastic key . it sits on some wood stand. that's carpeted . no price on it.
Richard, I find it very rewarding to repair things of this nature and give them new life. If they are not asking much you might find it a rewarding experience as well.
I had an older lowrey .that didn,t turn on as I had to practice my song for class. it was a sunday. so my brother checked the fuses . found a burnt one. we got new ones for 4 bucks at radioshack. he put it in and I was able to playit. I just traded it off . as I got the legend. one week ago. and having fun with it. it is making me a better student.
DUDE! I'm glad to see a youngster like you getting into the vintage Hammond game. You remind me of me, 55 years ago. ;-) I'm retired now, but I was a pro Hammond repair tech for many decades, as well as a road musician. I've been paying the B3 for 58 years. I'm going to turn you on to some tricks and lore. First, your B3 is *not* a 1955. If it was, it would have wooden cheek blocks at the ends of the manuals (keyboards) instead of black plastic. 1960 (some folks say 1959) was the last year for wood cheeks. Second - do you know about locking down the tone generator before you move one of these? If not, say so and I'll post the procedure. Third, tubes are (so far) no problem - I have many hundreds of each type required for the B3/C3/A100 (and others) in stock. Russian tubes are not the finest known by a long shot, although many of them are quite good now. At any rate, neither the Russians nor anyone else currently manufacturing tubes makes the 6AU6, the 6C4, or the 6X4, all of which are required for these organs. I have NOS (New Old Stock) on hand for every tube in a B3. Gimme a shout if you need any. Removing/re-installing the pedal clavier (that's Organ Nerd terminology for "the pedals") - is not as tough as it looks, if you know the trick. The problem is that every way you can figure out to lift them up is way uncomfortable, or even dangerous to your back. Here's how to do it: straddle the back end of the pedal unit, with a foot on each side of the pedal pivot/spring box. Now, bend over/squat and put your forehead against the wood rail that's just below the lower manual. You now have a three-point suspension for your body, which allows you to use your arms to lift the pedals up, pull them slightly back, and tilt them so they'll clear the organ's legs. Do this backwards to re-install them. You'll have to practice a bit before you can do this smoothly, so have someone spot for you while you're learning.
There's a lot of room reverb on your voice, and I thought you said the organ was from 1955. That's what 58 years of amplified music will do for ya - be advised. ;-)
@Fat Willie Thanks for sharing a little of what you've learned through the years, that was 1st class. I hope he read your comments.
Hi James I am really enjoying your videos, I saw one of these many years ago smashed to pieces at a rubbish tip. It was so sad to see all the broken keys and mangled metal and wood but I knew what it was and knew I would never be able to repair it.
Wow! I just love seeing the inside of the organ! So cool! :)
It's amazing to me that it's all mechanical! So crazy.
Watching your videos, very gifted.
Love your videos, entertaining and informative. I'd love to see a "what to look for in an organ". I'd like to purchase a L series spinnet and they often have keys and drawbars that don't work and I'm never sure if that is a fix I can tackle myself or if I should just run the other way.
This video tells pretty much everything you need to know to repair the most common problem with the Hammond drawbars.
@@ThePianoforever The other common one is dirt on the contacts. Just a little bit more complicated.
Good job - good video! It looks like it could have been re-soldered from the rear, but what do I know. Thanks - that was fun to see.
I figured it would be easier to reach (and film as well) from the top like that. There were lots of wires in the way if you tried to do it from the back. Most of the other drawbars could easily be fixed from the rear. Either way would work, I think.
I have an issue with a Gb Tone leaking from the 16' Lower B manual drawbar. I have re soddered it but it still acts up.
I owned the C3 version of this instrument - it was a fantastic instrument. Question: are vacuum tubes for classic Hammond organs still available?
I have not heard they are not. We looked at the C version, but the B was heavy enough. We tried to pick up a C just as a test, and thought no I don't think this is going to work.
Yes, vacuum tubes are still available for any given tube number. Russia manufactures the majority of tubes, and they are of the highest quality known.
tubedepot.com/
www.amplifiedparts.com/products/tubes?
Russian Brand: Sovtek
☞ CAUTION: NO USER SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE! ☜
☠ DANGER: HIGH VOLTAGE! ☠
☺
I just found a big older organ at the local salvation army store . Thursday. I forgot the name. it has the long pedals. and one broken plastic key . it sits on some wood stand. that's carpeted . no price on it.
Richard, I find it very rewarding to repair things of this nature and give them new life. If they are not asking much you might find it a rewarding experience as well.
I had an older lowrey .that didn,t turn on as I had to practice my song for class. it was a sunday. so my brother checked the fuses . found a burnt one. we got new ones for 4 bucks at radioshack. he put it in and I was able to playit. I just traded it off . as I got the legend. one week ago. and having fun with it. it is making me a better student.
Richard, glad to hear you were able to get it up and running. It's a great feeling to be able to fix something.
Wana play with it