[stilldivin]

8-14-12 Hi Steve. I have a Hammond M3. I had to replace the start and the run switches to get my to start. I also had to oil it, clean it, and replace most of the tubes. Beware; the switches may look like standard switches, but they are not. They are wired and switched internally differently that a replacement. You can download a free service manual on the web. I've been trying to remember where I got mine, but if you Google it you can probably find one. Also, I'll save you $5.95; the cost I spent having my appraised via a Internet company. These organs are worth between $50.00 and $150.00. That's if they work. My is very clean, and it works, except three keys on the upper and lower keyboard, same notes, are weak. I'm told it's worth closer to $50.00, maybe $100.00 at the most. The service manual is very large and complex. I'm a retired electronics service tech and I don't want to fix the organ any further; the cost of repair will exceed the selling cost.

Originally Posted by WayneM

Hi Steve,

I have a Hammond L series (suspect most of the parts will fit) and I
am parting it out (actually I had already stripped out all of the tube
stuff and some some of the keys for another Hammond L, and was going
to drag the rest to the curb.)

The motor ran well - actually the entire tonewheel assembly worked
well.

I will let you have it for VERY minimal cost plus actual shipping.
Would be even more interested in an interesting tube amp stuff trade
(broken amps, tubes, transformers, etc.)

As for whether the stuff will actually fit - I have no idea

Let me know in a week or so - significant other is anxious to get this
250 lb piece of "junk" out of the garage.

Later,

Wayne



Steve Zettel wrote in message ...
Hi,

I've run across a Hammond M3 with the auxiliary speaker cabinet (not a
Leslie, darn it!) for $150. Looks to be in very good condition, but like
a lot of tone-wheel Hammonds, it won't start up. Sounds like it's
trying, but no-go. . . the current owner and I went by the manual during
the start up, too.

Otherwise, it looks to be complete (all the tubes present in both amps,
all light up, etc).

Questions for this learned bunch -- where on the 'net is a good place to
find out more, find a user/restorer-group, locate parts if needed, etc?

Any opinions (yeah, I had to ask!) as to the fair value at $150?

Thanks for your time,

Steve Z

[stilldivin]

Originally Posted by stilldivin

8-14-12 Hi Steve. I have a Hammond M3. I had to replace the start and the run switches to get my to start. I also had to oil it, clean it, and replace most of the tubes. Beware; the switches may look like standard switches, but they are not. They are wired and switched internally differently that a replacement. You can download a free service manual on the web. I've been trying to remember where I got mine, but if you Google it you can probably find one. Also, I'll save you $5.95; the cost I spent having my appraised via a Internet company. These organs are worth between $50.00 and $150.00. That's if they work. My is very clean, and it works, except three keys on the upper and lower keyboard, same notes, are weak. I'm told it's worth closer to $50.00, maybe $100.00 at the most. The service manual is very large and complex. I'm a retired electronics service tech and I don't want to fix the organ any further; the cost of repair will exceed the selling cost.

However, I changed my mind and began to work on it further. I found one of the rods that positions one of the pickup coils was too far in, stopping one of the tone wheels. CAREFUL adjustment fixed this. Slowly moving it in and out will adjust the volume on the tone. too close and it will jam or break, too far away and it will not be heard. There is also a screw next to the rod for fine tuning. This is while monitoring the tone by connection one side on the capacitor to a draw bar.
I isolate the connection with another capacitor. I also used a 'scope to see the frequencies and wave forms.