My 1961 Hammond B3-portable

Introduction

For many years I've had a dream of having a real Hammond console that I could carry without breaking my neck. I of course always have the choice of buying a modern Hammond clone, but there is something with the old hammonds that inspires me, and actually make me practice and have fun, so in 2009 I decided that I would have a go, and actually try to build myself a Portable Hammond. These are the photos and the story of how it went when building a Portable Hammond B3

1: Buying an Hammond

To buy a organ from the other side of the world is not an easy task. I had been wondering about the possibility to buy parts, and just put it together, but soon discover that the easiest was to just buy an organ and get it to norway. I was very lucky to post on Hamtech and came in contact with Clifford Rote, a very nice fellow with a manual set and a generator for spare that he could sell. This is the pictures I got from my friend in New York. The organ looked very nice and tidy and I decided to have a go, and bought it. Then it was the waiting time....

Buying a Hammond

2: Arrival to Norway

After one and a half month I got message that the organ had arrived. I quicly open the boxes, and found to my thankfully surprise that the organ was exactly as described! Luckily there are other enthusuasts other places in the world that have the same idea of an organ in nice shape as myself, and dont want to lure other fellow hammond enthusiasts.

Press here for Arrival to Norway gallery

3: Preparing empty Cabinet

This is the Cabinet I want to use to get a Portable Hammond B3. The cabinet is an old Galanti X-150, produced in Italy between 1972-1975. The Galanti is an European licenced version of Viscount. So people might recognice this organ as a Viscount X-150 in the US. I got the organ for free for about 12 years ago. I then found the sound of it very "Cheesy" and besides, it didnt keep in tune. I really liked the Cabinet, and hoped that one day, I'd be in position to but a B3, inside the cabinet. These days came in late 2009...

Empty Cabinet

5: Changing capacitors on Tonewheel generator

The generator is from 1961 so it has the old wax capacitors. I ordered a new set with capacitors from Goff and changed them

5: Changing capacitors on Tonewheel generato

6: Soldering of generator plugs

On a Hammond in a cabinet, the wires between the manuals and the generator are very short. Since this is supposed to be a organ made to carry, there also might be problems at the road.

Thats why we make plugs between generator and manuals. This makes it easy to dissasembly and fix if problems

6: Soldering of generator plugs

7: Making chassis for the Generator

The Tone generator is the heart of the Tonewheel organ.

We provided space for the generator in the bottom of the chassis. We drilled holes and the generator were mounted on rubber mountings so the organ could be turned while lifting.

We also drilled and made space for the stop/run switches.

7: Making chassis for the Generator

8: Mounting of the manuals

The manuals are the biggest part of the organ. They come as one unit and they are put very well together.
In this project, we put the manuals on top of the chassis and needed to make a bracket for laying on.
We later used the original screw holes to actually fasten the manuals to the chassis.

8: Mounting of the manuals

9: Changing of the felt

This organ is from 1961, so its old. The manual felt felt fine, but I got a tip from a friend and he ment that I would be happy if I changed them. The manuals feels very nice now. Althougt I didnt think that it would be that much of a difference, it was! So, I recommend everyone with a organ that is used much, change the felt!

9: Changing of the felt

10:Making of the bottom part

The making of the bottom part consisted of adding a 230 - 110 volt converter and a 50-60 frequenzy converter. We also had to mount the AO-28 amp and lay out the wiring for it.

10:making of the bottom part

11: AO-28 Preamp

I bought only the Manuals and the generator from USA. Luckily I found a nicely used early Type AO-28 with the silver power transformer.

Press here for AO-28 Preamp Gallery

12: Test mounting

At this stage I needed to put together the furniture so i could see what I needed to adjust for the final mounting

12: Test mounting

13: Finished!

This is a great moment! organ is put together and it works!

13: Finished!

So, How does it sound?

So, how does it sound? in my opinion, pretty awesome!

here are some Youtube videos so you can hear for yourself.

Video 1:

Plug in, turn on, drawbar pull, leslie fast slow, percussion,2/3, Vibrato/Chorus test

Video 2:

Drawbar test, chords, percussion test, vibrato test, overview

Add ons

This organ is now playable. but that doesnt mean that it is finished.

I have several ideas of how this can be "the optimal" hammond.

Later on I will hopefully add several things:

The original Hammond Swell pedal (will happen in january)
1/4 Jack output
Leslie switch on lower left block
Stop funktion for Leslie 122
Original Hammond Bass pedals
Midi on both Manuals
Reverb

And might some other things that show up as time passes by.

THANKS TO:

This has and is an undertaking project and have consumed a lot of time. It have also been a dream for many years for me.
However, I would probably used a lot more time if it has not been for friends and hammond enthusiasts around the world helping me with advices and general help.

Tanks to:

Working Crew:
Lars Kjetil Rønes: You have been the main engine in making this organ. You have read, been thinking, solved, planned and actually soldered most of the wires and plugs in this organ. THANK YOU!!!!!

Kåre Basso: Without your valuable help regarding the power transformer and the AO-28 Preamp, we actually might not be able to even start the organ. You are also the brain behind the leslie hookup. And thank you for all the time you have used on my other organs through time...THANK YOU!

Tommy Eide: After boring all of your friends year after year with "one day I will build an organ...bla,bla,bla Thank you for at last kicking your own butt so you could go through this project! :)

Information Crew:

Øyvind Ulstein: you provided the soldering iron and also valuable information. Thank you

Palle Wagnberg: You have proved to be very helpful as I had one that could answer some of my stupid questions through building of this organ. I am sure you must have been thinking: "not him again"...when calling sometime, but thanks for keeping up...Palle also happen to be one of the best Jazz Hammond players in the world. You are a inspiration for me. Thank you!

Brynjulf Blix: I am planning to add midi to this organ in the future, and your information about midi on hammond will prove useful. You already have done it to your Hammond and thanks for sharing information to me! Thank you.

Gunnar Myklebust: Thank you for being another Hammond enthusiast in Ålesund. You were the one who started the "madness" for me and I will always be greatful for that. Its nice to have someone to discuss to try to reach the best sollutions when questions arise...Thank you!

Magne Fevik: You have great knowledge of Hammonds and thank you for taking your time helping me with advices and tips. Thank you!

Morten Golten: You also took time answering some of my questions. it is ALWAYS nice to have experienced people to call when needed. Thank you!

Øyvind Ulstein: you provided the soldering iron and also valuable information. Thank you!

Parts Crew:

Clifford Rote: You sold me a organ that was excactly as described! If the organ had been an old wreck, I would never built this. I thank you for being honest and not trying to fool a simple guy on the other side of the world. Nice to get to know you by the way! If you ever come to norway, call me! Thank you and GOD BLESS!

TK Music production: You sold me a AO-28 in nice shape. Thanks!

Goff Proffesional: I have bought the caps and the felt from Goff. Thank you!

Georg Fish at Fish Organs: George Fish provided a lot of "hard-to-get" parts for the AO-28 for me. difficult to find, but you had'em! Thank you!

Have I forgot someone? please send me a mail and I wil sure add!

Tommy, Desember 2009