juanbastonoeste Posted November 26, 2011 Share Posted November 26, 2011 Hey all, I went check out a Hammond A102 today. The price is $1500. I've played several real vintage organs in the past, but I have little experience when it comes to buying or owning them. The organ is in great cosmetic shape and I spent an hour testing it out through the A102's built in speakers (there was no leslie on hand). Everything on the organ works fine except for the percussion which doesn't work (see video) and there is a strong rattle that sounds like it's coming from one of the speakers. In addition, the sound of the organ is totally distorted (in part or totally due to this rattle) at bass frequencies. We tested all three speakers independently by connecting them to a radio, and they all sounded perfectly clear. I decided to make a short video on which you can hear and see for yourself what's going on with the organ: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9fvBRf7Z2ZU What I'd like to know is whether you have any ideas as to what might be wrong with the organ, and how much money I might be looking at to get it into playing condition. Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meisenhower Posted November 26, 2011 Share Posted November 26, 2011 It's a pretty typical market price for a A100 series. You can find decent $1500 A100s all day long and twice on Sunday. Now, if that A102 came with a working Leslie for $1500, that might be a better deal. You're going to spend some money chasing those problems down. Personally, I'd pass on it for $1500. Yamaha C7 Grand, My Hammonds: '57 B3, '54 C2, '42 BC, '40 D, '05 XK3 Pro System, Kawai MP9000, Fender Rhodes Mk I 73, Yamaha CP33, Motif ES6, Nord Electro 2, Minimoog Voyager & Model D, Korg MS10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill H. Posted November 26, 2011 Share Posted November 26, 2011 Yeah that's too much money for one that's not working right. In any large US metro area they are fairly easy to find for $1500 in perfect working condition. Or less. Around $1000 is when they really start attracting attention. But I'm not sure where you live. Location is everything. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kanker. Posted November 26, 2011 Share Posted November 26, 2011 They want to pay you $1500 to take an A-102 off their hands? Not enough if you ask me A ROMpler is just a polyphonic turntable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HammondDave Posted November 26, 2011 Share Posted November 26, 2011 With those problems I would pass.... I once bought a perfectly fine A100 for $50. Typically in So Cal you can find nice A100's for $1000. '55 and '59 B3's; Leslies 147, 122, 21H; MODX 7+; NUMA Piano X 88; Motif XS7; Mellotrons M300 and M400’s; Wurlitzer 206; Gibson G101; Vox Continental; Mojo 61; Launchkey 88 Mk III; Korg Module; B3X; Model D6; Moog Model D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
juanbastonoeste Posted November 26, 2011 Author Share Posted November 26, 2011 Thanks for the opinions guys. I've been convinced to pass on this one and wait for a better deal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeffLearman Posted November 26, 2011 Share Posted November 26, 2011 Hah -- maybe I should have asked y'all before buying a piano. I'm still a bit nervous as to whether that works out. Sounds like you avoided a mistake here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Outkaster Posted November 26, 2011 Share Posted November 26, 2011 Where are you located? I think I saw that on cragslist locally. "Danny, ci manchi a tutti. La E-Street Band non e' la stessa senza di te. Riposa in pace, fratello" noblevibes.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B3Nut Posted November 27, 2011 Share Posted November 27, 2011 The hum as it starts to warm up tells all...filter caps in the power amp are shot. It sounds as though any played tones are mixing with the bad 60Hz hum to make strange beat frequencies. Mid-late '62 instrument just going by the black preamp transformer and 5-tube AO-35 reverb amp, this would be one of the last to have that reverb amp. They changed reverb amps not long after the switch to black transformers on the preamp. It's in nice shape (though being an A-102 it's still fugly) but no way on God's green earth is this thing worth $1500. It needs a lot of work. The percussion is probably dendrite growth in the switch housing. You won't hear any sound out of the 1' drawbar with the percussion on, as it steals that busbar for perc triggering. But you should be hearing something. I concur...pass. You'll find a good deal on a nice A-100, it's a buyer's market what with the economy in the toilet. TP --- Todd A. Phipps "...no, I'm not a Hammondoholic...I can stop anytime..." http://www.facebook.com/b3nut ** http://www.blueolives.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Muscara Posted November 27, 2011 Share Posted November 27, 2011 How much would it be worth in the condition it's in? I wonder if the OP can make a lower offer for a more reasonable price. "I'm so crazy, I don't know this is impossible! Hoo hoo!" - Daffy Duck "The good news is that once you start piano you never have to worry about getting laid again. More time to practice!" - MOI Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MuzikTeechur Posted November 27, 2011 Share Posted November 27, 2011 $750. I just got a mint, absolutely amazing A-105 for $600... and they ended up donating it for free, so they're out there. Muzikteechur is Lonnie, in Kittery, Maine. HS music teacher: Concert Band, Marching Band, Jazz Band, Chorus, Music Theory, AP Music Theory, History of Rock, Musical Theatre, Piano, Guitar, Drama. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B3Nut Posted November 27, 2011 Share Posted November 27, 2011 Depends on location. Around here that's a $200-$300 project/parts organ. Good A-100's struggle to fetch more than $500 unless they're a tech or dealer refurb. Missed a pristine A-122 for $350 a few months ago...doh! TP --- Todd A. Phipps "...no, I'm not a Hammondoholic...I can stop anytime..." http://www.facebook.com/b3nut ** http://www.blueolives.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Muscara Posted November 27, 2011 Share Posted November 27, 2011 After my previous post, I came across this one locally this morning. Obviously the condition is a bit unknown, but what do you guys think, assuming it's in good shape? Hammond A-105 for $750 "I'm so crazy, I don't know this is impossible! Hoo hoo!" - Daffy Duck "The good news is that once you start piano you never have to worry about getting laid again. More time to practice!" - MOI Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B3Nut Posted November 27, 2011 Share Posted November 27, 2011 In your location I'd go look at that one post haste. Going to be '63-'64, I bet it sounds fantastic. I'd check it out if I were you, that's a good price for Texas. TP --- Todd A. Phipps "...no, I'm not a Hammondoholic...I can stop anytime..." http://www.facebook.com/b3nut ** http://www.blueolives.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meisenhower Posted November 27, 2011 Share Posted November 27, 2011 Looks like a nice box, Joe. The serial number puts it at 1963-64. I don't think I'd have an issue paying $750 for it, if it was clean and had no major issues. Yamaha C7 Grand, My Hammonds: '57 B3, '54 C2, '42 BC, '40 D, '05 XK3 Pro System, Kawai MP9000, Fender Rhodes Mk I 73, Yamaha CP33, Motif ES6, Nord Electro 2, Minimoog Voyager & Model D, Korg MS10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Muscara Posted November 27, 2011 Share Posted November 27, 2011 I contacted the seller. "Already sold and picked up in first 4 hours." I'm not surprised. "I'm so crazy, I don't know this is impossible! Hoo hoo!" - Daffy Duck "The good news is that once you start piano you never have to worry about getting laid again. More time to practice!" - MOI Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeffLearman Posted November 27, 2011 Share Posted November 27, 2011 Yup, you have to jump right on the good ones. Reminds me of a story. A friend found a good Hammond (don't remember which model, but a desirable one) real cheap (like $100). It didn't turn on at all. He said, "let me check something out" and a moment later, powers it up and it spins & plays. He's about to hand the guy the $100 and the guy says "Sorry, the price just went up. That'll be $1000." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Muscara Posted November 27, 2011 Share Posted November 27, 2011 Well, I saw the ad this AM, and IIRC it was posted yesterday evening. If so, that's when it was sold and I wasn't even close! BTW, thanks Todd and Meis. "I'm so crazy, I don't know this is impossible! Hoo hoo!" - Daffy Duck "The good news is that once you start piano you never have to worry about getting laid again. More time to practice!" - MOI Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Outkaster Posted November 27, 2011 Share Posted November 27, 2011 Depends on location. Around here that's a $200-$300 project/parts organ. Good A-100's struggle to fetch more than $500 unless they're a tech or dealer refurb. Missed a pristine A-122 for $350 a few months ago...doh! TP Todd a few dealers/techs have told me that organ and piano stores originally sold the A-100 series as an inferior organ to people when in fact it was actually a 3 series organ. "Danny, ci manchi a tutti. La E-Street Band non e' la stessa senza di te. Riposa in pace, fratello" noblevibes.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B3Nut Posted November 28, 2011 Share Posted November 28, 2011 Wouldn't surprise me. Maybe the markup was better on a console + tone cabinet set? Who knows...didn't stop people from buying the A-100 series consoles, they sold a good bit of them. TP --- Todd A. Phipps "...no, I'm not a Hammondoholic...I can stop anytime..." http://www.facebook.com/b3nut ** http://www.blueolives.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HammondDave Posted November 28, 2011 Share Posted November 28, 2011 Chances are that a used A100 will be in much better condition than any used B3 or C3. That's because A100's were sold as home organs and usually received much better treatment than B3's or C3's which, for the most part, were sold to churches and professional players... I was fortunate to find two of my B3's which were home organs and thus in prime condition. But I believe that is unusual. '55 and '59 B3's; Leslies 147, 122, 21H; MODX 7+; NUMA Piano X 88; Motif XS7; Mellotrons M300 and M400’s; Wurlitzer 206; Gibson G101; Vox Continental; Mojo 61; Launchkey 88 Mk III; Korg Module; B3X; Model D6; Moog Model D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Outkaster Posted November 28, 2011 Share Posted November 28, 2011 Heres another rumor and I am not sure how much truth there is to it. Apparently when Hammond did not like the fact that Piano and Organ Shops were selling Leslie Products they strong armed the stores and told them they would pull the Hammond line if they did not comply. In some Northeastern states there may have been Mafia influence also. Its just a rumor but interesting nonetheless. "Danny, ci manchi a tutti. La E-Street Band non e' la stessa senza di te. Riposa in pace, fratello" noblevibes.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hammodel AV Posted November 28, 2011 Share Posted November 28, 2011 I got my 1959 A100 from a organ/piano store for $500, as it needed some work (percussion was not working). I was able to convince them that the cost to have their tech fix it would not get them the price they wanted. Hammond T-582A, Casio WK6600, Behringer D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B3Nut Posted November 28, 2011 Share Posted November 28, 2011 From what I've picked up until about '67 or so Hammond forbade their dealers from selling Leslie speakers. Once the X-77 came out with its proprietary Leslie cabinet Laurens Hammond's silly jihad against the Leslie Speaker got thrown out the window. Mr. Hammond was well out of the picture by then, having retired. That machine came out in '67 or '68 IIRC, on the heels of the X-66 if I'm not mistaken. Oddly enough, the X-66 was probably the most "Leslie-proof" of the Hammond models, but they still made a 122 kit and a 9-pin kit for it. But the X-66 is an entirely different kettle of fish...it doesn't work like any other Hammond before or after it. Studying the service manual before you even take the back off is highly recommended. I love the X-66, even if my wife calls it a creepy circus organ. TP --- Todd A. Phipps "...no, I'm not a Hammondoholic...I can stop anytime..." http://www.facebook.com/b3nut ** http://www.blueolives.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HammondDave Posted November 28, 2011 Share Posted November 28, 2011 In some Northeastern states there may have been Mafia influence also. Its just a rumor but interesting nonetheless. I thought I saw a B3 in an episode of The Sopranos! '55 and '59 B3's; Leslies 147, 122, 21H; MODX 7+; NUMA Piano X 88; Motif XS7; Mellotrons M300 and M400’s; Wurlitzer 206; Gibson G101; Vox Continental; Mojo 61; Launchkey 88 Mk III; Korg Module; B3X; Model D6; Moog Model D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Outkaster Posted November 29, 2011 Share Posted November 29, 2011 Actually Dave it was an RT-3. I saw that episode. Tony and the crew went to Rhode island. I remember really noticing that organ in the living room when tony soprano was visiting an old mobster. "Danny, ci manchi a tutti. La E-Street Band non e' la stessa senza di te. Riposa in pace, fratello" noblevibes.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Muscara Posted January 5, 2012 Share Posted January 5, 2012 Hammond A100 for $1500 It doesn't look bad, but is the price a *little* steep or okay? "I'm so crazy, I don't know this is impossible! Hoo hoo!" - Daffy Duck "The good news is that once you start piano you never have to worry about getting laid again. More time to practice!" - MOI Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skinny Posted January 5, 2012 Share Posted January 5, 2012 A-100's are nice, and usually in good shape because they were living-room kept. But I don't think I'd pay more than $1000 for one. Stuff and things. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HammondDave Posted January 6, 2012 Share Posted January 6, 2012 Go and offer $1000 in cash... You may get it. '55 and '59 B3's; Leslies 147, 122, 21H; MODX 7+; NUMA Piano X 88; Motif XS7; Mellotrons M300 and M400’s; Wurlitzer 206; Gibson G101; Vox Continental; Mojo 61; Launchkey 88 Mk III; Korg Module; B3X; Model D6; Moog Model D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Musicale Posted January 6, 2012 Share Posted January 6, 2012 I bought my A100 for $800.00 good condition, everything worked OK. Had some restoration done for about $600.00 ( new up/down felts/ cleaning/shifting of bus bar wires, some minor electronics in the amp and preamp and rebuild of the vibrato scanner). So I have a excellent condition A100. If I ever sell it (for a B3 only), I'd try for about 1500-1800.00. This is my living room organ with twin Leslies so I'll probably just keep it for ever. I would like a B3 however if only for sentimental and possibly investment reasons. Regards, Musicale Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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