Hammond Organs

[principal07]

Can anybody here tell me about the Hammond RT-3? Would it be a good practice organ for me, even if I am playing a classic-style organ at synagogue/church?

[Thomas Dressler]

I don't know enough about Hammonds to know what the RT-3 is, but I'm guessing it's one of the ones with drawbars and a pedalboard the goes up to around C or so? I used to practice on one many years ago when I was first learning. I wouldn't say it was all that great, but it was better than nothing. I'd say if you can practice on a real organ, do that, but if it's the only thing, then it's better than nothing!

[Krummhorn]

I found this site for a Hammond RT-3. There are sound clips for listening, unfortunately all with chimes. I must admit that I've never heard Arioso by JS Bach with wild vibrato AND chimes ... that's just gotta make JS roll over in his grave ... lol.

Could possibly be a good practice instrument ... sans the vibratos ...

[Arvin B]

The Hammond rt-3 is the organ Hammond made with church / classical organists in mind. It has a 32 note concave, radiating pedalboard and a "pedal solo" unit. I'm not sure if the pedalboard is AGO spec., but it's probably close enough for practice.

So it could do for practice, espicially when you keep in mind that Hammonds are considered more reliable than anything else of that era, and they can be repaired thanks to continued interest from fields other than classical music.

But lets also talk about what a Hammond is, and what it isn't. First what it is: IMHO it is an instrument. It produces its own sound via the tone wheels. That is in contrast to something that simply imitates using recordings. And if you like the sound, it can be really quite nice. IMHO it does have a musical quality to it. The pop music world has been recording them for over 50 years now, and they still like them. Same with Jazz. As far as what its not - it's not a good rendition of a pipe organ. It doesn't sound even close, but that doesn't mean it can be used for practice. I have a friend that uses a pedal piano for practice.

[methodistgirl]

I don't really care for the hammond organ. I played one when I was a
kid and to me they sound like a toy. The chord organ I had at home
sounded better! Why don't you try a small wulitzer of the same size.
Now they do sound good.
judy tooley

[jimmayor007]

here are some basic buying and owning suggestions:
1) Do not buy any organ without having the chance to inspect it first !

2) When buying a Leslie, know WHAT you are buying... and that you must also buy a Leslie hook up kit for the organ that matches the Leslie, and a cable...

3) Leslie speakers are not all the same even though they may LOOK the same... some have low rotor only... some have low rotor and upper horn... some have no horn or rotor at all ! Some are solid state... others are tubes... some are single speed... others are two speed...

4) Try to maintain your Hammond Organ yourself... at a minimum, oil it once a year, clean the tube sockets, clean the drawbars... use an Orange Oil polish or similar product on the wood.

5) Buying an organ that has been properly serviced is something you will want to consider... if you are buying from a home owner, then finding a tech in your area that can work with you is VERY important if you do not wish to maintain the organ yourself.

6) Hammond Organs are HEAVY ! Think twice before moving that 300 - 500 lb organ up or down a flight of stairs... always ask... are there steps ? how many ? can you help me move it ? are there any unpaved areas that the organ must be carried over ?

7) Call around to local rental companies or piano stores and rent a set of ROK or similar ORGAN DOLLIES before moving a Hammond Organ... they strap one on each side of the organ, have handles and the wheels "step" down... makes moving a "beast" a LOT easier !

...read the full guide with pics here

[methodistgirl]

Humm! Impressive! Like I said the hammon I played was much smaller than
the one you show on Ebay. It did sound like a toy because it was so
small. For bass pedals it only had one octive on it. Sad right! The newer
ones like what's on ebay is much larger. I doubt that the hammond I
played ever had even half of a rank in it. Churches of any size deserves
better than what they had. It was way too small. Unlike the organ I
play now with 24 ranks and sounds like a voice from heaven.
judy tooley

[janny108]

Is this organ still being used today? I heard some rock groups in the past have used the Hammond organ. Has a majestic sound to it.
Jan

[Mat]

Of course it is. Especially in jazz music. This is a wonderful instrument, it gives so many possibillites to the player. It has this characteristic sound- when you hear it you know it's hammond . And the players? For example Jimmy Smith, great jazz musician.

[Arvin B]

Is this organ still being used today? I heard some rock groups in the past have used the Hammond organ. Has a majestic sound to it.
Jan

Yes the Hammond B3 is absolutely still being used! Recording studios love them, rock bands love them, and jazz certainly love them.

[greatcyber]

Hi All,

I am new to the forums, joining just last night. I am retired and have just moved from the US to Canada...that was a relief in and of itself. Now I find myself with time to devote to developing a hobby and I have decided to return to a previous love affair with the organ. In youth, I used to play the pipe organ in church. At home, we had a Hammond B3 that my mother used to play and I took lessons on. But once I got to play that big old pipe organ, gee, did I love to rattle the windows of the church playing some Bach!

I was hoping when we moved here to find an abandoned church that was for sale, especially if it had a pipe organ, but that was before the real estate market in the states hit the dumps. Our $500K home sold for only $265K and we couldn't afford to buy so we opted to rent instead.

Now, with only 2 bedrooms, I have taken one of them as my office/studio. I'm about to trade the guest bed for a futon to have even more space.

I am trying to make a virtual pipe organ and have the demo version of Hauptwerk as well as Miditzer and several others. But rather than pile several midi keyboards on top of each other and then get a pedal board, I found a site that said you can modify an electronic or even electric organ to be midi-compatible for under $300. This has a lot of appeal.

I found a rather unique Hammond for sale in our area that a mover is selling. A picture is attached (sorry for the quality, I didn't take the pic) but after searching for over several days, I cannot for the life of me, identify which model it might be.

If anyone may be able to identify it for me, I would certainly appreciate it. I would love to research it further just to see what I might be getting myself into before I commit to purchasing it.

Thanks in advance for your help.

By the way, has anyone tried the Pianoteq virtual piano software yet? I also have that demo version and am going to a demonstration in town next week to see it in action. It is from France and the sound is absolutely AMAZING! From concert grand to harpsichord, to organ sounds, it gives me chills.

Thanks in advance for any assistance.

[methodistgirl]

The one in your picture is much newer than the one I played. The one
I played was bought back in the 50's where I went to church then.
judy tooley

[Krummhorn]

. . . . .
I found a rather unique Hammond for sale in our area that a mover is selling. A picture is attached (sorry for the quality, I didn't take the pic) but after searching for over several days, I cannot for the life of me, identify which model it might be.

Hi greatcyber,

The model in the picture you supplied is the Hammond Concorde ... there is a better picture (click here) of this instrument showing more detail. I've seen them priced on the internet between $2,395 and $3,460 on one site. (USD)

How much is the mover asking for this organ?

[greatcyber]

I guess it's a great deal, as he will sell it and deliver it for only $500!

Thanks so much for your help.

[Krummhorn]

Sounds like a super deal ...
Wonder though, how long it has set idle in the movers warehouse?
It may need some TLC to get up and running if that time period of silence has spanned a year or so.