A-100 vs B3

[jtwoods4]

I just bought a mint condition M100 and although it sounds great and plays great it is sounds nothing like the B3. I am looking for a console model within my budget that sounds like the B3/C3. I have heard the A-100 has the same sound as a B3/C3 if connect to a 145 leslie. Is this true?

[b3guys]

Congratulations on your recent purchase of a Hammond M100. Yes, the A-100 has the same internal components as the B-3 and C-3 models, in addition to reverb and internal speakers. While all three models will sound somewhat the 'same', please keep in mind no two Hammonds will sound exactly alike. Hope this helps. www.b3guys.com

[Floyd Rose]

The A-100 IS a B3. The guts are the same. Are you running the organ through a 147 or 122? If you're simply running it through the internal speaker, well, of course it doesn't sound right. My advice: disable the internal speaker and attach a full-size Leslie.
Floyd

[back52887]

corrected version of this post below.

[back52887]

The 8" speaker and the smaller amplifier chasis in your m100 is the reverb. Keep it live as it is a desireable feature and sounds lousy going through a leslie rotor anyway. Your M100 is an m-3 with several additions
1. reverb
2. 6.presets(not changeable and not very good),
3. 13 vs 12 pedals
4. a 60s vs a 20s style cabinet,
5. celeste( an additional and good variation on the chorus of the scanner vibrato.)
6. overhanging Vs waterfall keys (which will allow you to learn to play a countermelody with your thumb between manuals)

An M-3 is a B-3 minus
1. 4-5 tonewheels
2. presets
3. 13 upper pedals
4. duplicate drawbar sets
5. foldback
6. brown drawbars on lower keyboard
7. 1 1/2 ocvtaves of keys on each manual
8. 8' pitch on pedals
9. one level of vibrato/chorus
10. about 75 lbs
Plus
1. small internal amp and speaker
2. Pedal sustain.

An A-100 is a B-3/C-3 with
1. built in PR-20 tone cabinet
2. a 60s vs 20s case.

enjoy

Lee

[NittyRanks]

Remember people were told by salesmen in the 1960's they were getting an inferior organ if they purchased an A-100 series Hammond. Truth be told a lot of people like them better and the real difference is the speakers and case.