BUILDING HAMMOND ORGANS AT THE HAMMOND FACTORY

[Offshoreorganbuilder]

Thanks for this posting. As it happens, I dislike electronic organs, but the Hammond obviously has its following and it *is* interesting to see the production methods. Having viewed the video, you are left in no doubt that the only thing to do is to go out and buy one! A great piece of marketing.

[jeanforget22]

TFF  at 10:19 the narrator mentions "it's portability" wahwahwah...:)

[chieftp]

@jeanforget22 try putting a pipe organ into a van or pick up.

[DeltaAlphaDeltaOne]

Thanks for providing this video. We bought a used C3 in perfect condition in 1984 and it has worked perfectly ever since.

[Denvermorgan2000]

Actually he is not tuning the instrument he is only adjusting the output of the individual tonewheels.

[bobmeanza]

Wonderful. The guy who actually listens to each tone wheel is deeply touching. Now I'm sold, where can I buy one? ;)

[mfinster100]

In my small opinion, next to the electric guitar, the Hammond organ is the greatest electronic instrument ever made. Even in this digital age, they can only come close to replicating it. I am hypnotized by the sound of a B3, and always will be.

[mfinster100]

In my small opinion, next to the electric guitar, the Hammond organ is the greatest electronic instrument ever made. Even in this digital age, it has only been partially imitated. I am hypnotized by the sound of a B3, and always will be.

[patsaxon]

Hammond should had never discontinued the tone wheel generator as it would still be in business and would not be owned by Suzuki. It was a big mistake as they could still had made electronic organs, for lower cost as it did in the early 1980's. The new Hammond organs sounds great, but cost too much!

[doitee52]

I've owned 35 Hammond organs. Started working on them when I was 14 after I saved enough to buy a used M-3. I never found another organ equal to the Hammond. Once the sound is in your head nothing can really compare. Also have owned quite a few Leslie speakers from the Tall Boy to the 122's. Each have their own special sound. At this time I'm playing a near immaculate CV with big Hammond speaker in church and the bass is just awesome.

[UFO000100]

Often imitated but never duplicated.

[RockYuBeniya]

Thank you . This is a history of the Hammond organ.

[normjnk]

As a Hammond organ technician, this is fun to watch. It is interesting to hear the narrator talking about the tuning procedure; what the tech is actually doing is adjusting the volume of each note - tuning is set by the speed & number of teeth in the tone wheel. While Hammond always said the organ cannot go out of tune; it would be more honest to say the organ cannot go in tune - it was a close approximation.

[iloverush123]

I love this video, but I had to lol at 10:20 when they said "Its portability"

[SilverHammond]

@iloverush123 Compared to a church organ it is "portable"; as in, you can move it, if need be :P

[Denvermorgan2000]

@iloverush123 It is if you compare it to a pipe organ and thats what they were comparing it too.

[deerfish3000]

@iloverush123 Hahaha...Yes, as we all know, moving a 500lb organ by yourself is the very definition of portability.

[Tonewheeldude]

Great!!

[DanteStar7]

Thanks for posting!

[keithappleton]

Modern digital equivalents of Hammond C3/B3 Tonewheels are getting a little closer these days, but absolutely none of them have that great smell of warm generator oil when you play them - and they just don't feel the same either ......... !

[marti02mx]

The Hammond organ for all times is the steam locomotive of all synthesizers :) Thanks for share this wonderful rare film. It´s a part real kultur of music and genius technical.

[keithappleton]

Great comments - Thanks - much appreciated - !

[paulj0557]

The Hammond B3 is the most prized organ, and yet it was sold for much less than the Hammond models which had self contained amplification and speakers. Although in completing the B3 package, a tone cabinet ( speakers and amplifier in one box) was added and this did make the B3 the highest priced in the line.

The Leslie speaker system, however was ( and still is) the preferred speaker for a B3.

Laurens Hammond barked 'Hammond's don't require Leslies!' After his death Leslie's were built in.

[chieftp]

@paulj0557 B3s did not sell for less than models with built in speakers (A100s.) B3s were about $3500 when A100s were about $1800. the B3 was not the highest priced in the line - the RT3 was. Leslies were included/built in well before the death of Laurens Hammond. Hammond retired in 1960. the X77 had an accompanying Leslie cabinet in 1968 and the T200 series spinets had built in Leslies around the same time. Laurens died in 1973.

[paulj0557]

@chieftp You're right i remember now, in fact your mentioning 68' brings it back to me- When Laurens retired they tried to keep him out of the decisions about the time they thought it would advantageous to have a Leslie cabinet 'accessorize' the sleek X-77 ( not X-66?). Anyway, I also recall that not long after, having successfully accomplished this they moved to implement a built in design, as Thomas and Conn had already thrived from. I had a 62' A102 with original receipt. Can't remember$

[chieftp]

@paulj0557 when Larry retired in 1960, he had nothing to do with the company after that. he actually stepped down as president in 1955. sorry to hear you had an A102. I had one years ago and it took me forever to get rid of it! LOL I also had an X66. that was one of the worst sounding organs I've ever played. only bought it because it had a gorgeous Leslie 122 with it. I still have the Leslie.

[paulj0557]

@chieftp So I take it you are a B3er or die person? Or do you not like Hammonds? My A102 was in mint condition and although ugly it was $800. I had a 122 Leslie and regretted never changing that A100's preamp out and using an AO28 preamp from a B/C. What did sound excellent on the A102 was a Wurlitzer Spectratone cabinet hooked this way:

A100's spkr-to-line out adapter, into a graphic EQ, then into a DB1 Dynamic Range Expander, into an IECo 4xEL84 tube power amp, into the Wurli Spectratone.

[chieftp]

@paulj0557 I've had 2 B3s (I traded the X66 for the first B3/122.) but I haven't had a B3 in almost 10 years. I can't have that kind of money just sitting around. the A102 I had took me forever to sell I guess because it was so hideously ugly. I'd love to have another A100, but right now a lowly T500 is all I can afford! talley ho.

[mannythedrummer]

Nothing like a Hammond and a Leslie... can't be duplicated digitally....

[drbas81]

to play exactly that kind of music you want ;) ..but for sure, not this one :D