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    Frederik Magle
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rhapsody89

New member
I have a question ~ my husband inherited a Hammond organ from his Grandfather. The manual that came with it says it's a Commodore 300 series. Can anyone please tell me/us about this?
 

methodistgirl

New member
I will try. Just get on google and look up Commodore 300 hammond.
Click on the fifth one on the list and you should find it. By the way,
welcome to the forum.
judy tooley
 

rhapsody89

New member
Thank you methodistgirl. At the risk of sounding very ignorant ~ I followed your instructions, but ended up looking at some Castle?? I'm so sorry (and embarassed). I have looked a few other sites that I googled but they didn't help me. I just don't know much about organs. My husband took one organ class in college. I think that is why his Grandfather got so excited and gifted him the organ. I sure wish Grandpa were alive, I'd ask him my questions.
 

Contratrombone64

Admiral of Fugues
you can gut it, and set it up as a herbarium or aquarium if you lack musical talent.

I second Judy's comment "welcome" to the world's craziest place to hang out.
 

Krummhorn

Administrator
Staff member
ADMINISTRATOR
Well, I see that some have this definite "opinion" about Hammonds in general ... :lol:

Back on topic ... :whistle:

Hi rhapsody89,

Welcome to Magle International Music Forums.

Little information is available on the Hammond model you specify. About the only info I can find on it at this time, is that it might have been part of the "T" series of console, and has 25 pedals (flat). Does yours have two switches on the top for powering to 'on' or just one?

Wikipedia has some info on the Hammond Organ,
but doesn't mention the 300 Commodore specifically.

Have you tried to play this organ yet? Does everything seem to work?

I'll keep searching periodically - if we find applicable information about your request,
it will be posted in this thread.
 

Corno Dolce

Admiral Honkenwheezenpooferspieler
Welcome aboard rhapsody89 - Please do make yourself feel right at home and stay for a spell.

That Castle you viewed is the Hammond Castle in Gloucester, Massachusetts.

Cheers,

Corno Dolce :tiphat::tiphat::tiphat::tiphat:
 

rhapsody89

New member
Thank you! Wow, you're a helpful, friendly bunch of folks and funny too. The Wikipedia suggestion was a good one ~ why didn't I think of that? Yes, we've played it (well, tinkered is more like it). Sounds good to me, but I'm sure we have no idea what it can really do. It sounds nice and "churchy" (is that a word)?
 

Mat

Sr. Regulator
Staff member
Sr. Regulator
Regulator
I have Hammond B3 owners manual. But I guess it's not the thing you're looking for...
 

marval

New member
Hello rhapsody89

Welcome to the magical world of Magle

Glad you could join us.

I am afraid I know nothing about organs, so my advice would be useless. But I wish you well in your quest.


Margaret
 

rhapsody89

New member
After some investigation and thought maybe it would be best if we sold it or donated it to a community church. Does that seem disrespectful or ungrateful?? No other family members seem to have wanted it. Maybe it's not worth anything and Grandpa was just being funny?!? Hmmm...*scratches head thoughtfully.* We are a musically inclined family, we just favor the piano and vocal/choral music.
 

Krummhorn

Administrator
Staff member
ADMINISTRATOR
Hi rhapsody89,

No, imho it is not being disrespectful for wanting to donate or sell this instrument. Sounds as if you are at a crossroads with this instrument ... keep it and let it gather dust, sell or donate it, or keep it and play it frequently. With your mentioned interest about favoring the piano and voice, it seems it might be more respectful if it is sold or donated, as Grandpa most likely would have wanted it used and played.

If it's any comfort, I saw one of those advertised on Craigs List for about $100 ... whether or not that is a fair market value, I haven't a clue. What can be "priceless" for one man can be "junk" for another.
 

intet_at_tabe

Rear Admiral Appassionata (Ret.)
I have Hammond B3 owners manual. But I guess it's not the thing you're looking for...

Mat :tiphat:, great!!

You might make a good bargin here. You could trade the manual for the real thing, the Hammond B3 organ. Only remember to take a copy of the manual first :grin::grin::grin::grin:
 

Mat

Sr. Regulator
Staff member
Sr. Regulator
Regulator
Intet, I would really love to do that :grin::grin::grin:. But you know, it's not all that simple...
 

Andrew Roussak

New member
After some investigation and thought maybe it would be best if we sold it or donated it to a community church. Does that seem disrespectful or ungrateful?? No other family members seem to have wanted it. Maybe it's not worth anything and Grandpa was just being funny?!? Hmmm...*scratches head thoughtfully.* We are a musically inclined family, we just favor the piano and vocal/choral music.

Hi Rhapsody89, and welcome here!

Now I want to pour a little bit oil in a fire.

If you have already opened your new treasure and have examined its guts ( i.e. what is inside ), you should have found out that the thing has got an electric motor. it is used in Hammond to rotate so called tone wheels, with the means of which the sound will be actually produced.

So, to cut the story short - this motor would need oil sometimes, like any other motor. The contact pairs ( not sure, but I believe there must be about 17 contact pairs per key by a B3 modification ) should be kept clean. In other words, the thing would need a certain maintenance, if you want to play it yourself , and if you want that it sounds properly.

Donating a Hammond to anybody is generally a brilliant idea, and your Grandpa would love it too. Man, why am I not your neighbour??? Can you somehow ship it to Germany???

Btw does this Hammond come alone, or with one another strange looking thing ( looks like a big wooden case; very heavy )? If yes - much respect to your Grandpa, because this thing - if you have it - is called Leslie. It contains an electric motor, a pair of rotating speakers, and an already mentioned wooden case. Can be sold OR DONATED together with the Hammond, or separately.

Once again - how about a shipment to Germany?

Truly Yours,
Andrew
 
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Flute'n'Pedal

New member
Hi Rhapsody! I agree with Krummhorn that this instrument should be used. But before you give it away for someone else to use, consider these facts. Anyone who can play the piano can learn to play the organ also. Many people don't know if they like playing the organ or not because they've never really tried. Some people do learn to play the organ at a rather mature age, and enjoy it enormously. So please, be certain that you yourselves don't want to play the organ, before giving it away.

LlL
 
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Mat

Sr. Regulator
Staff member
Sr. Regulator
Regulator
So, to cut the story short - this motor would need oil sometimes, like any other motor. The contact pairs ( not sure, but I believe there must be about 17 contact pairs per key by a B3 modification ) should be kept clean. In other words, the thing would need a certain maintenance, if you want to play it yourself , and if you want that it sounds properly.

Good point, Andrew. Surprisingly, I have also a book called "The Hammond B3, C3, A100 disassembly & restoration manual for non-technicians...":grin:

Donating a Hammond to anybody is generally a great idea. Man, why am I not your neighbour??? Can you somehow ship it to Germany???

Or to Poland?;)
 

Andrew Roussak

New member
Update to a previous post of mine.

I have just checked out this model in Ebay - if it is in a good condition, it must be worth 4500 USD now ( with Leslie ).

Now I am almost sure you have TO DONATE it, and I even know who could be a happy recipient of such donation...Should I give you an adress in Germany for a shipment??;););)

VERY truly yours,
Andrew
 
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