Hammond M3 Organ
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- KVRist
- 138 posts since 1 Oct, 2004 from Atlanta, GA
There are two Hammond M3 organs for sale in my local area one is going for $125 USD and the other $50 USD. Does anyone know anything about this model from Hammond and if they sound anything like the B3?
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- KVRAF
- 4222 posts since 23 Feb, 2004 from Tucson Arizona USA
They sound like Hammonds, but you might be disappointed if you're looking for a poor man's B3.
They are also hella heavy.
Anyway, yeah, they have the tonewheel sound, beefy tube amp that can be modded for more overdrive, they have the "percussion" switch, the key action is exactly like B3 (44 keys though vs. 61).
No chourus, which is a very specific Hammond characteristic that you might really miss. No foldback, which is really the biggest difference in tone - but there are mods you can do to get foldback on an M3. Pedal action is pretty lame on the spinets. If the reason you have a Hammond in your band is so you can fire the bass player, you really do want a B3's pedalboard.
Of course, if the characteristic that you associate with Hammond is the rotating speaker and big amp, you'll want a Leslie 122 or 145.
M3's are not hard to find for $100 - $200. They tend to need a fair amount of rehab, and they have really messy 1950s wiring.
I can't remember the last Leslie 122 I saw for less than $1000, but I see a B3+122 in the $5000 range every six months or so.
I have an M3 and a 147 but I long ago stopped moving it around with me. It lives at my family's farmhouse. I do enjoy playing it whenever I go home for holidays, but in reality, I'd actually rather have my Alesis, power amp, and wedges for playing out, and I most definitely do not want to move that damn thing).
They are also hella heavy.
Anyway, yeah, they have the tonewheel sound, beefy tube amp that can be modded for more overdrive, they have the "percussion" switch, the key action is exactly like B3 (44 keys though vs. 61).
No chourus, which is a very specific Hammond characteristic that you might really miss. No foldback, which is really the biggest difference in tone - but there are mods you can do to get foldback on an M3. Pedal action is pretty lame on the spinets. If the reason you have a Hammond in your band is so you can fire the bass player, you really do want a B3's pedalboard.
Of course, if the characteristic that you associate with Hammond is the rotating speaker and big amp, you'll want a Leslie 122 or 145.
M3's are not hard to find for $100 - $200. They tend to need a fair amount of rehab, and they have really messy 1950s wiring.
I can't remember the last Leslie 122 I saw for less than $1000, but I see a B3+122 in the $5000 range every six months or so.
I have an M3 and a 147 but I long ago stopped moving it around with me. It lives at my family's farmhouse. I do enjoy playing it whenever I go home for holidays, but in reality, I'd actually rather have my Alesis, power amp, and wedges for playing out, and I most definitely do not want to move that damn thing).
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- KVRist
- Topic Starter
- 138 posts since 1 Oct, 2004 from Atlanta, GA
Hey thanks for the informative info. Much appreciated! I know nothing about them and this tells me alot of what I need to know. I am only considering one for home recording and will never move it. I have always wanted that authentic tonewheel sound from a hammond but didnt think I had the income to achieve it. When I saw the local add it really got my interest but I am also am concerned about the age and degredation of the electronics from the era they were manufactured. I will have to try them out and decide. Thanks again for the info!