Hammond M-100 curb find

[B3Nut]

A couple weeks ago I saw a Hammond M-100 spinet organ at a moving sale, OK shape, $50. Went back later to arrange buying it and the sale was closed up. Pooh. So yesterday my wife and I are driving home when we go past the house the sale was at...BIG pile of junk out at the curb. The Hammond was laying there on its back. Oy. I borrowed a Caravan from a friend and went back for it, muscled the thing in by myself (oof!). Gotta replace the power cord, then I'll light 'er up and see where I need to go from there, it's complete, nothing's missing (except the bench, but oh well). At least it was saved from the jaws of the garbage truck compactor...hate to see a tonewheel organ go to the landfill. :cry:

Now to get this mutt playing....I like these M-102 (M-100 series, contemporary cabinet). This is the model Richard Wright played in the Pink Floyd Live in Pompeii video, and which Procol Harum organist Matthew Fisher played on "Whiter Shade of Pale".

Todd in Beerbratistan

[Chad Hauris]

We recently worked an M-143 for a church. Would recommend a fuse in the power line of about 2 to 3 amps, these Hammonds never seem to have any fuse protection in them.

[B3Nut]

Nope...the old joke amongst Hammond techs was "Hammond fuse = power transformer". :D

TP

[Morden2004]

Great save, Todd! Looks exactly my old "M" from the 60's.

Paul

[B3Nut]

Wellp...just fired 'er up as she sits, as she was dragged home...fired right up! Pedal sustain system is stuck, and needs the usual deoxification, but the tones are all there and the electronics function. Sounds nice and strong...little TLC and a Leslie hookup and she'll be giggable!

Todd in Beerbratistan

[bellavoce]

B-3, might message you on a project to rescue a C-3 and 122.
Seems my son and daughter's church was donated the pair by a parishineer. It's not working and no one is very intrested in it. No one that is except this one jerk that goes to their church. I knew he was trying to weasel it away for himself. Well,long story short i voluntered to get it running for them. So it will live in my living room for a while ...better than the barn it's stored in now and much safer!
I can't play one. I'm a guitar player. But have been in love with the Hammond/Leslie combination sound all my life. I'm not that knowlegeable about electronics but these things are more electromechanical anyway. I'll bet dollars to donuts this thing just needs a lube job and and some knuckle bust'n hand turns on on that old Frankenstien look'n tone generator driveshaft. I live in a place where there are no Hammond techs and usually no $$$$ to throw at these beasts. I've actually gotten two old froze up B-3s running this way. I hope to be picking it up soon(NOTE: Bad pun as i can no longer pick up much of anything! Direct result of playing in bands with B-3s and big JBL PA systems)...soon as my son barrows truck with lift gate.
Anyway.....your advice would be much appreciated.
bellavoce

[B3Nut]

Let me know...whereabouts are ya? I'll help in any way I can. I have schematics and the service manual for the B-3/C-3 organs, let me know if you need anything scanned (there are nice schems at www.captain-foldback.com too, my friend Lars runs that site.)

Todd in Beerbratistan

[Chad Hauris]

If it's really froze up, penetrating oil applied from the underneath side to the bearings can help too...then follow up with regular hammond generator oil.

Look out for bad wiring as almost all Hammonds I have seen have brittle old wiring in the power cords and 110 ac wires inside the case. Also remember to add in some fuse protection...I have an M3 where the current into a short kept flowing till the 5U4 cracked...plates were melted, a fuse would have prevented a lot of damage.

[bellavoce]

Thanks guys, your help is much appreciated!
I'm new to AK and am also a non-typing computer novice. So this is all new to me. For this reason i tend to be slow and at times...Confused.
B-3 i live in the S.W. USA. Never been to Wi. but about 20 years ago had a girlfriend from there and have always wanted to visit. Met a lot of her friends and they were great! " Beer N' Brats all around..eh". Don't care for cheese but love those beautiful blonde Norwegian farm girls...well farm grandmas now!
Chad,thanks for the tip on the fuse. :yikes:
West Texas Mmmm...the coldest i've ever been was one December passing through Amarillo. Man, that west Texas wind can cut right through you!
Well guys, thanks again. I'll be in touch.
bellavoce