JimmieWannaB Posted October 27, 2003 Share Posted October 27, 2003 I put this pix in another posting but I felt it was unique enough to deserve its own topic. I don't think it's an actual B3, but who cares as long as the topic title caught your attention. The following was posted Saturday on The Hammond Technical List [HAMTECH@MAIL.HAMTECH.ORG]. Don't get your hopes up. The organ and Leslies were snagged within hours of the posting. The Santa Barbara Theatre Organ Society was given a three manual Hammond that it wants to dispose of. It is located in a storage building in Santa Barbara, California. The organ also has two Leslie 31 speakers with it. They have both been heavily modified. The organ itself is not in good condition but would be quite a project for some one who wanted to make a very unusual Hammond. The case has been built up to accommodate the third manual and it isn't a bad job. The left side is very good but the right side would need some work to make everything look right. The top or third manual is a Hammond manual that feels as if it has been gutted and some other key contact arrangement installed. The best part of the deal is that it is all free...but be advised you will have your work cut out for you. The music rack and associated piece are there as is the pedal board (I think...can't remember if I saw one or not). http://home.comcast.net/~jimmiewannab/hammond3man.jpg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eric Posted October 28, 2003 Share Posted October 28, 2003 That is a pretty awesome sight. I remember seeing another custom B3 in a magazine somewhere that had a Clavinet and Minimoog built into the wooden cabinet, side-by-side above the top organ manual. It was a boutique instrument and I would not want to imagine carrying it around. There was another Keyboard of the Month one time that had a B3 that had been customized to have a pinball machine built into the top of it, if I remember correctly. I'll try to find those photos and post them. Regards, Eric Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephen Fortner Posted October 28, 2003 Share Posted October 28, 2003 Very impressive looking, but if it's in less than working condition, it looks like a nightmare, even for those of us who love the smell of solder in the morning. I'm guessing that the third manual might have been wired to some other type of tone generator, possibly external, especially if the key contact mechanism feels all different. Even in a cabinet that big, I don't see where you'd put a second Hammond tone wheel chassis. I bet the whole thing was done by a theatre organ enthusiast who wanted to make their B more like a Wurlitzer. Too bad it's been taken. I'm in Santa Barbara, and I would have definitely gone over to look at it. We have a lovely old Spanish-style theatre called the Arlington here, which includes a theatre pipe organ that I've actually never seen. Been meaning to go ask to see it sometime. Stephen Fortner Principal, Fortner Media Former Editor in Chief, Keyboard Magazine Digital Piano Consultant, Piano Buyer Magazine Industry affiliations: Antares, Arturia, Giles Communications, MS Media, Polyverse Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimmieWannaB Posted October 28, 2003 Author Share Posted October 28, 2003 Steve - I'll bet if you check, it's still there for a look see. I saw that it was claimed but am not sure if it was actually picked up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimmieWannaB Posted October 29, 2003 Author Share Posted October 29, 2003 Whoever snagged this beast already has it up on eBay sans Leslies. It's a shame that the taker was someone who wanted to make a few bucks rather than a keyboardist who has been lusting after a Hammond. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimmieWannaB Posted October 29, 2003 Author Share Posted October 29, 2003 Double post - How'd that happen? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dasher Posted October 29, 2003 Share Posted October 29, 2003 I have a Hammond with three manuals - upper manual,lower manual and owner's manual! Sorry... Dasher It's all about the music. Really. I just keep telling myself that... The Soundsmith Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dogfur Posted October 30, 2003 Share Posted October 30, 2003 I'm still trying to get used to using 2 manuals without screwing things up...The third's gonna have to wait til I get around to using the pedals. Woof! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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