MOTM

I know there were some guys on the list talking about the m-3 being the
only decent "affordable" hammond around. I have to opportunity to but a
Hammond A-100 for $75!!!! Now this thing is not beauty pageant winner,
it looks like it came out of a barn. All the notes work, all the
drawbars work, the perc, vibrato scanner and reverb all seem to work
fine. Besides a professional refinishing and a good cleaning out, this
organ seems to work OK. Now before I haul this thing home and start to
dismantle it and clean out, repair and/or replace anything, does anyone
think this is a worthwhile deal? I know it's going to take some work to
get it to sound tip top, but for $75 can I really go wrong? Anything I
should look out for in this particular model? Tomorrow I'm going over
with the notepad and flashlight, if you guys can think of anything i
should be looking for, please let me know. Thanks, -Nate

My rule is: *anything* electronic-music wise is worth $75. Especially
working.
You really need to lubricate the tone wheel bearings before you power it up
too long. I know
the B/C series uses cups to hold the oil, with cotton strings feedinging the
bearings. The oil
"drips" or "slides" down the thread over time to "self-lube" the bearings.

Paul S.

Hi Y'all--

Well, the A-100 is functionally quite similar (if not the same) as a
B-3, but with a built in amplification system and those lovely
knee-blasting speakers (I always thought 'what a great idea to listen to
organ music with one's knees...')

At $75, it sounds quite reasonable! In fact, unless it's totally
inoperative, it's a steal. Take two! Well, maybe not.

I've always enjoyed Hammonds. For some time I had a Concert Model E, and
I still have a small but powerful M-3.

As an aside but speaking still of organ products, I've set up a little
Yamaha Electone section in my web-page, but be warned it's still under
tweakage, and the linked images are not small:

http://frank.gadgetland.net/eorgan.htm#ELECTONES

Good luck with the Hammond!
Frank Vanaman,
Baltimore

Nathan,

Go for it!

The A-100 is essentially the same organ as a B-3 / C-3, but designed for
home use (built in amp & reverb).
At $75.00, I'd buy it no matter what the shape. Any of the older Hammonds
were for the most part "bulletproof".
I recall reading somewhere that if they were to build these models today,
with the same construction, the cost would be around 30K!

The A-100 series was built from 9/59 - 10/65 and came in several different
cabinet designs.
A-101: "Contemporary design" simple looking with open ends on the music
stand.
A-102: French Provincial design
A-105: Looks similar to a C-3 cabinet
A-143: Kind of a "Colonial" design

The above info is from my own experience and Mark Vail's book "Beauty in the
B".

Whatever you do, do not use anything other than genuine Hammond tonewheel
oil for the tone generator.
Check out the Goff Proffesional web site. There is also a "Hamtech "
listserv.

I will caution you that once you take the dive, you will be hooked on
Hammonds They call it H.A.S.
"Hammond Aquisition Syndrome" Mine started with 2 C-3's and a 710 Leslie.
Still looking for an M-3, B-3, RT-3.

The only thing more powerful than H.A.S. is MOTM A.S.

Good Luck.

Mark

--- In motm@egroups.com, Nathan Alan Hunsicker <nate@e...> wrote:
> I know there were some guys on the list talking about the m-3 being 
the
> only decent "affordable" hammond around. I have to opportunity to 
but a
> Hammond A-100 for $75!!!! 

BUY IT BUY IT BUY IT!

An A-100 may have an ugly cab, but it is functionally equivalent to a 
B-3 or C-3, with the addition of a power amp for its internal 
speakers. 

Moe
'59 B-3

I agree.  The A-100 is indeed identical to the B3 in tone generation,
foldback, and the all important percussion.  In fact, many A-100s end up
getting gutted and having their innards transplanted into older B cabinets
to make hybrid B-3s.
Larry H

----- Original Message -----
From: Frank Vanaman <fvanaman@...>
Well, the A-100 is functionally quite similar (if not the
same) as a B-3, but with a built in amplification system
and those lovely knee-blasting speakers (I always
thought 'what a great idea to listen to organ music with
one's knees...')

At $75, it sounds quite reasonable! In fact, unless it's totally
inoperative, it's a steal.

This is Keith Emerson's axe of choice.  It'll give you everything you
need except a hernia.  Buy it.

g.wong

Nate,

 Definitely buy it, but before you move it it's important to make sure 
the tone wheels are bolted down to the chasis inside. I'm only 
familiar with the M3, but I'm pretty sure it's the same. 
 If you take the back cover off, you'll see where the tone wheels are 
suspended in the air by springs. Underneath there should be loosened 
bolts that when tightened will fasten the tonewheels tightly against 
the chasis. Doing this prevents wires breaking, etc. when it's getting 
moved. On the chance that the bolts have been removed completely, you 
can still move it. I'd just be extra carefull. If that's possible with 
an A100:). Awesome score!!

Doug F

PS Just joined this list so hello everyone!