How to chop a Hammond M3 Organ from garage to gig.

[garage2gig]

The weight was actually more with the amplifier installed in the top. To move the M3 safely you really need two people. The idea was to get it to fit in my 2000 Buick Regal, as you can see in the video it just made it! Overall the chop makes it much easier to move, utilizing the original base gives it the integrity when playing live. I received many comments oh having a Hammond at the gig and not one person realized it was chopped.

[RickJames093]

great job, did the weight of the top half of the organ change very much after the chop? id like to do this to my m101 to reduce weight. Did this particular way of chopping it make a decent difference in the weight or was it still quite a job to lift? Thanks

[RekkiMekki]

How difficult do you think a project like this would be on a scale of 1-10? I have good woodwork experience and I will be working with another guy who has lots of electric experience. I'm gonna be chopping an L103 though.

[garage2gig]

@RekkiMekki I would say a 4. Since you are a woodworker the chop requires one major cut than a series of small ones. The amp fits perfectly upsidedown. You just have to design your power and speaker cable if you go with the original. PLUS you have this great video! Good Luck! Jack

[deerfish3000]

Thanks for answering my question. Since Buss fuses start from 1/2 amp and go to 50+ amps, how did you know what amp rating to choose? I thought you might have done an Ohm's law calculation. If that was the case, I wanted to know how you figured it out. You don't want too weak of a fuse nor an overly strong one. I guess if it works, it works.

[deerfish3000]

I wanted to add a fuse to my M3. What was the amp and the voltage rating and how do you figure out the values?

[garage2gig]

@deerfish3000

The fuse I am using is a standard 10 amp at 250v. Not too much thought into it, just a precautionary measure in the event something shorts the fuse will open. Thank you for asking and good luck! :)

[deerfish3000]

I wanted to add a fuse to my M3. What was the amp and the voltage rating and how do you figure out the values?

[ReefersMcNasty]

it would be very helpful if you could a step by step. i have an M3 that i would like to chop and i don't know a thing about electronics

[garage2gig]

Hey there ReefersMcNasty

It's on the to do list of showing more detail of each step. Most important on the M3 amps are the large filter capacitors that are mounted on top. The video is kind of a general step to take due to each amp has to be checked out for its own tweaks. It would be great to read up on general tube amp basics to get the idea. (that's what I did). Maybe even online. Reason is tube amps generate high voltage (~400volts) and to tinker could ruffle yer feathers! (Zaaap! Ahhh!)

[SkateYourOwnStyle]

this organ looks a little bit like a C-3, so its not a "baby B3" but a "baby C3" ;-)

[SkateYourOwnStyle]

Grrrm, after watching this video again I feel like killing you.... because a Hammond M3 in this condition is about 500 to 1000 Euros here in Europe!!!!

[garage2gig]

@SkateYourOwnStyle

I understand your frustration. It is always a double edge sword. Do I leave it alone and not play out with it or do I do my best in modifying so I and others will enjoy the sound of a Hammond Organ out in public.

[SkateYourOwnStyle]

@garage2gig

You're right ! The thing i wanted to say is, that you could build a second cabinet for the organ and just put all the electronic parts and the manuals in it. When you get a better organ (B3 or C3) or stop playing gigs because of some reason, you could put all that back into the original cabinet and you'd have a very nice Hammond that could even be placed in your living room.

BUT: that would probably take a few weeks and cost quite a lot of money!!

So i can understand you!!

[GigiAO28]

@SkateYourOwnStyle

in Italy 2000 :-(

[jaredrush]

There's something about watching a beautiful woman help move a Hammond that just does it for me. Thanks