What model Hammond is this?

[organ grinder]

In a Catholic church where I sometimes play a funeral service (on a little Kimble electric), up in the balcony of this 1880's church is a big old Hammond organ. I mean big and old. Where the more modern Hammonds had the black and white keys reversed for the presets, this Hammond has buttons instead and the square tablets for the 32's and a full pedal board. It's sad to see it just sitting up there in a dark corner. I'm curious if anyone would know what model it is. It's a shame that instruments such as these are hidden away for decades without anyone knowing about them whereas someone could possibably bring them back to life, if that were possible. Just a thought.

[NittyRanks]

I am willing to bet it is a model E. Does it look like this:

http://www.tompetro.com/HAMMOND/E/

That link is from my buddies site. He had sold that one but it sounds like that is what you have. It weighs in at 579 pounds I think and has a Gothic Wood Case. Hammond marketed it for the classical and church organist after people expressed interest in 32 AGO pedal boards.

[organ grinder]

Man, you nailed that on dead on. Only wish someone could give it a new home and a new life. Instruments like this are rare. Thanks for the info.

[NittyRanks]

Yeah they are really rare. They would be a pain to move for anyone and most piano and organ dealers charge by the floor and amount of steps. I think they are gorgeous Hammonds. Here are the specs:

Model E
Production Years: Jul 1937 to Jul 1942
Cabinet Size: 57x47-7/8x47-5/8 (WHD, inches) with pedal keyboard. Approximately 579lbs, with bench and pedals.
Finish: Walnut
Manuals: Swell and great, 61 playing keys each. 32-note concave radiating detachable pedal board, built to AGO specifications.
Controls: 9 preset buttons and 2 sets of 9 adjustable harmonic drawbars for each manual: For pedals - 4 numbered and labeled toe pistons, 2 adjustable drawbars (16' and 8'), and great to pedal 8' coupler. 2 expression pedals, one for swell and one for great and pedals. Visual position indicator of sliding rod type. Two expression pedals, one for swell and one for great and pedals.
Features: Separate adjustable tremulants for swell and great manuals. Standard main and chorus generator units; "ON" and "OFF" switch for chorus

[back52887]

Yes, we were talking about E's just last week. I'd love one but if I brought a 6th organ home, my wife would have me put it in her place, 'cause she'd be gone!!

Has anyone heard of an EV retrofit? I wonder if the split tremelo would have interfered with scanner compatability?

I hope the item in question does find a good home; along with the BA(player hammond) it is a unique critter.

Lee

[NittyRanks]

Lee if there was a retrofit I would think it would have been a kit added in the field like a DV or something?

[ImaJical]

Hmmmm, sounds VERY interesting. Tell you what....can you get someone with a digital camera, then take several photos of it. Say...one of the whole thing, and one closeup of the keyboard.
Given that it's a Hammond...I can absolutuly tell you what it is. Also, as I have tinkered with MANY older Hammonds, and offer free advice for the preservation of these Fabulous technical miracles, I would be glad to start you in the right direction. UH... wait a minute, I just re-read your message and the typewriter preset buttons gave it away...ITS A VINTAGE MODEL "E". Funnilly enough, I ACTUALLY OWNED one of these. This model was built between 1937 and 1942! Email me and we can exchange some questions and answers.

Good Luck
Don Cake (AKA Screemin Keys)
email donnyc2001@sympatico.ca

[ImaJical]

Hi, funilly enough I actually bought one of these by accident...thinking it was a D100...but NOPE it was a 1938 model "E". This instrument is built like a TANK, and if properly taken care of could STILL be playable in the year 2500!
What I did was to install a GENUINE Hammond B3 pre-amp, and vibrato scanner with line box. Then figured out a way to get the syncronous motor to start and run just great. (There is a secret to this) Due to the wiring of this beast...the lowest note on each manual is the same as that of the PEDALS. Now add B3 percussion and vibrato chorus...and YA GOT A BEAST!!!!
Oh yes, and the crappy old reostat box (expression pedals) was instantly replced by the B3 style moving capacitor unit which is attached to the B3 pre-amp. I am an expert in putting B3 guts into a older...naked, tonewheel organ. YUP...it takes about 200 hours to do this, but its absolutely worth it.

Sincerley
Don Cake
donnyc2001@sympatico.ca

[NittyRanks]

Yeah but doing all those retrofit devaulues the organ. At 579 LBS. I doubt it would be carried around to gig with. So any modifications would be for your own enjoyment. He already said it was a model E after I showed him a site with pictures.