Vintage Synth Repair

This is a work in progress, but I have pictures of an H-112 on my 
Flickr site.
These show opening up the keyboards for access to replace keys, fix 
the presets, etc.
I will get to more sections in the coming weeks. Next I will be 
opening up the drawbars for cleaning.
Comments and suggestions by anyone is welcome.
Bob


--- In vintagesynthrepair@yahoogroups.com, "fsimon100" 
<fsimon001@...> wrote:
>
> Hi Bob,
> I was curiouse if you took the Hammond H apart and took any photos 
> like you said you may do.
> Frank
> 
> --- In vintagesynthrepair@yahoogroups.com, "Bob" <bobmannn@> wrote:
> >
> > It has to be taken apart from the top and the front, actually.
> > The keys are screwed in from the back, but the key has to be slid 
> > back to disengage it from the key comb. The black panel on the 
> front 
> > has to be removed to slide the key back.
> > What is your time frame for doing this? I was planning to repair 
a 
> > couple keys on one of the H's in the shop this weekend...I 
planned 
> to 
> > photograph the process for my picture collection, if this would 
> help 
> > you.
> > 
> > Bob
> > 
> > 
> > - In vintagesynthrepair@yahoogroups.com, "fsimon100" <fsimon001@> 
> > wrote:
> > >
> > > Bob,
> > > Thanks. I'm certain I need to take it apart and fix it 
properly. 
> > Your 
> > > picures gave me great insite of the mechanics. Does it 
> disassemble 
> > > from the front or start at the top and work down? 
> > > 
> > > Also the very low volume I'm assuming is unrelated because I 
can 
> > hold 
> > > the preset keys down to hear the organ. As I said the finals 
are 
> > > good. Where would you recommend I start scoping the audio 
signal.
> > > 
> > > --- In vintagesynthrepair@yahoogroups.com, "Bob" <bobmannn@> 
> wrote:
> > > >
> > > > The preset keys can have the same problem as any of the 
> > keys...that 
> > > is 
> > > > that dirty contacts will prevent them from operating. I had 
the 
> > > same 
> > > > symptoms on my H when I first got it, and still do from time 
to 
> > > time on 
> > > > those keys that see little usage. Normal operation on mine 
> > returns 
> > > when 
> > > > I hold the Cancel key down and tap the offending key rapidly 
20 
> > or 
> > > so 
> > > > times to clean the contacts. Maybe you will get lucky and 
this 
> > will 
> > > > help...at least it is worth a try.
> > > > As far as the key not staying down, this is not too hard to 
> > > > fix...however getting to the mechanism can be a challenge, 
> > > especially 
> > > > on the lower manual.
> > > > The mechanism is simple; there is a spring loaded bar that 
> swings 
> > > on an 
> > > > arc under the preset keys. When a key is pressed, a 
> > > flexible "finger" 
> > > > under the key holds on to that rod. The Cancel key pushes 
that 
> > rod 
> > > away 
> > > > from the finger, and releases the preset key.
> > > > When the preset key no longer stays down, the "finger" is 
> > probably 
> > > worn 
> > > > or stuck with dried grease, and can be cleaned and/or bent 
> > slightly 
> > > to 
> > > > restore it, assuming the finger is not broken.
> > > > I can send pictures of the mechanism if you would like.
> > > > In order to reach the mechanism, the keys obviously need to 
be 
> > > removed.
> > > > If you have never done this, please let me know and I can 
walk 
> > you 
> > > > through it. Also, if you find broken parts during the 
process, 
> > > please 
> > > > let me know as I  have a couple H's in pieces out in the shop 
> and 
> > > would 
> > > > be glad to donate what I can.
> > > > Bob
> > > > 
> > > > 
> > > > --- In vintagesynthrepair@yahoogroups.com, "fsimon100" 
> > <fsimon001@> 
> > > > wrote:
> > > > >
> > > > > H-100
> > > > > My preset keys won't stay engauged. How do you disassemble 
to 
> > get 
> > > > > underneath keys to fix. Also I have low volume if I hold 
them 
> > > down 
> > > > > manually. 
> > > > > I know final tube outputs are good but not sure where the 
low 
> > > signal 
> > > > > is. Do I scope out from the tonewheel somewhere then at a 
pre-
> > > amp. 
> > > > Like 
> > > > > I said I injected a tone into the final tube amps and have 
> > strong 
> > > > final 
> > > > > stage.
> > > > >
> > > >
> > >
> >
>