Hammond L111 Organ

Post by **yjleesvrr** » Thu Dec 07, 2006 12:06 am

I was asked to play in a wedding at the VA Tech Chapel next Saturday. In wanting to practice on an organ, I found an old Hammond L111 spinet electric for 300 bucks yesterday in Fredericksburg, VA. I had it delivered last night to my house and it sits next to my Yamaha U3 upright. The organ is pretty nifty, as everything save one drawbar for the upper set of keys works. I wish I could find a B3 (used by practically every rock, jazz, and blues musician ever to have organ sounds in their songs in the past 50 years), but any Hammond in good shape is worth more than what I paid for mine. Bach just sounds different on an organ, even an electromechanical one compared to a piano. Hammonds have their tone wheel system, which generates tones via electric and mechanical means. Digitized tones just don't have the same nuance and color.

munchmeister · Post by **munchmeister** » Thu Dec 07, 2006 12:16 am

Hammond B3 music rocks, pun intended. I wish today's bands had keyboardists playing that distinctive sound. One of my favorites is Brian Auger.

mad1150 · Post by **mad1150** » Thu Dec 07, 2006 6:45 am

Digitized tones just don't have the same nuance and color.

I know that first hand.

I bought a Digitech RP7 to replace all my stomp-boxes for the electric guitar. It sounds good, no backround hiss or humm, and millions of sounds and combinations are possible. But, it completely lacks the color my analog boxes had. And, when it comes to playing live, making quick adjustments is impossible. Digital controls just don't have the same flexibility.

Give me my Ibanez Flanger, Analog Delay, and Tube Screamer with my Fender Princeton Reverb and 4-12 Celestion Cabinet anyday!

Did anyone get that?

Post by **Boxer** » Thu Dec 07, 2006 6:58 am

YONG! Man you never fail to amaze me. After all those rides and campouts...and meals together...I never knew you were a musician!

Can you help me with my harmonica lessons?

Post by **yjleesvrr** » Thu Dec 07, 2006 9:07 am

Phil - I do have a harmonica - a Horner. But I don't know how to play it yet.

I grew up taking piano lessons since the age of 7. I considered majoring in it before I went to college, but my parents dissuaded me saying it was tough to make a living in music. I did take a year of choir and a year of "applied advanced keyboard" - aka piano lessons, at VA Tech. Playing the organ or harpsichord isn't difficult if you're skilled on the piano. My next keyboard instrument will be the harpsichord, and the next instrument for me to learn will be the mandolin since it's easy to take with you when traveling. My 600 lb. Yamaha U3 is decidedly inconvenient for that!

Post by **sjbmw** » Thu Dec 07, 2006 9:18 am

mad1150 wrote:
Digitized tones just don't have the same nuance and color.
I know that first hand.

I bought a Digitech RP7 to replace all my stomp-boxes for the electric guitar. It sounds good, no backround hiss or humm, and millions of sounds and combinations are possible. But, it completely lacks the color my analog boxes had. And, when it comes to playing live, making quick adjustments is impossible. Digital controls just don't have the same flexibility.

Give me my Ibanez Flanger, Analog Delay, and Tube Screamer with my Fender Princeton Reverb and 4-12 Celestion Cabinet anyday!

Did anyone get that?

Sure did. A friend I used to write code with years ago dropped out after the bubble burst in 2001 to dedicate himself to his side business and his passion which is built on what you are saying here. There is a huge demand among musicians to resurrect, rebuild, and keep alive old amplifiers.

Seems the equipment that was built before the digital age has sonic qualities that the new digital technology as been unable to reproduce.

He sells amplifier tubes, parts, cabinets, refurbishes old amplifiers, etc, and now has a worldwide business for guitarists that desire to maintain their analog equipment.

Post by **wncbmw** » Thu Dec 07, 2006 1:38 pm

I considered majoring in it before I went to college, but my parents dissuaded me saying it was tough to make a living in music.

Interesting comment, Yong, and proof that you can play music your whole life regardless of what you do for a living. My youngest got his acceptance to NC State in mechanical engineering but plans to minor in music. He has had some people, mostly horn instructors and band directors, encourage him to major in music but opted the engineering route. I confess relief, although I did not push him one way or another.

While at State though, he plans to play in the orchestra, wind ensemble, marching band and pep band! I am encouraging that since I remember what I did with my spare time at college. I would much rather he play music!

And you guys leave the harmonicas home the next campout!

geothepencil · Post by **geothepencil** » Sun Dec 10, 2006 7:08 pm

yjleesvrr wrote:I was asked to play in a wedding at the VA Tech Chapel next Saturday. In wanting to practice on an organ, I found an old Hammond L111 spinet electric for 300 bucks yesterday in Fredericksburg, VA. I had it delivered last night to my house and it sits next to my Yamaha U3 upright. The organ is pretty nifty, as everything save one drawbar for the upper set of keys works. I wish I could find a B3 (used by practically every rock, jazz, and blues musician ever to have organ sounds in their songs in the past 50 years), but any Hammond in good shape is worth more than what I paid for mine. Bach just sounds different on an organ, even an electromechanical one compared to a piano. Hammonds have their tone wheel system, which generates tones via electric and mechanical means. Digitized tones just don't have the same nuance and color.

Try the Native Instruments B4 software sometime. Its pretty good and it blows people away to sit down with a laptop and play killer organ riffs. For regular use, a midi keyboard interface is needed. We have 3 A's and an M here and just love em. Good luck,

geo

Post by **mcooperstein** » Mon Dec 11, 2006 4:53 pm

A Hammond B3 with a couple Leslie's... I feel the music man!!! Farrrrr out!

chris · Post by **chris** » Wed Dec 13, 2006 6:44 am

mad1150 wrote:
Digitized tones just don't have the same nuance and color.
Give me my Ibanez Flanger, Analog Delay, and Tube Screamer with my Fender Princeton Reverb and 4-12 Celestion Cabinet anyday!

I still have my original tube screamer and celestion cab.
Surprised to see how much they're worth on ebay now...still not for sale!

Hammonds, yes, those tone wheels have a sound all their own don't they.
Once built a leslie cabinet myself, had to sit on it to stop it wandering round the room...not well balanced!

ken k · Post by **ken k** » Mon Dec 18, 2006 10:57 pm

Hey! it is neat to see other musicians on board. While I would not consider myself a keyboard player, I can play little a bit, but would not play in public!

I was just going to post a message to see if there were any othere fellow music makers out there in beakster land when I read your post about the hammond organ. I do love that sound. My favorite band is Tower of Power, with their horn and organ sound!

My main instruments are trombone and tuba. I play in a brass quintet (Basic'ly Brass), a New Orleans style brass band (Nasty 9), Lancaster (PA) British Brass Band, Reading Pops Orchestra, a rock band horn section (The Faculty), and whom ever else will call. (In other words a low brass ho!). My day gig is an elementary band director

The worst part about playing tuba is it is also tough to take on the bike! i have strapped the trombone to the back on a number of ocassions but the tuba is a bit much!

ken "Merry Tuba Christmas!" k

Post by **wncbmw** » Tue Dec 19, 2006 8:20 am

hey ken - I'll hijack Yong's thread long enough to say I went to an enjoyable school concert last night and watched my son play French horn in the wind ensemble, trumpet in the jazz band, including a sweet solo in during 'In the Mood' (he's only been playing the trumpet a month!) and then several solos on the horn during the symphonic band concert.

All in all, one of the best times as a parent I can recall!

I was a trombonist back in high school and pretty good. Picked up a little trumpet and baritone (euphonium) along the way. Alas, the music fell to the wayside for various reasons!

I bet you could get a trailer for that tuba!

Easier that Yong hauling an organ on the bike!

Post by **yjleesvrr** » Tue Dec 19, 2006 10:58 am

Well, the wedding this past Saturday went fine. The Virginia Tech Chapel has a Rodgers organ, which is a lot more complicated than my L111. I spent Friday night for a couple hours learning the controls of the Rodgers organ and figuring out the optimal stops to use for each organ piece.

During the wedding, I played on the piano a Chopin Nocturne and Etude, the middle movement of Beethoven's Pathetique Sonata, and a variation of the old Irish hymn Be Thou My Vision. On the Rodgers organ, I played Bach's Jesu Joy of Man's Desiring and the 1st Prelude from The Well-Tempered Clavier, Pachebel's Canon, Wagner's Bridal Chorus from Lohengrin (the precessional), and Mendelssohn's wedding recessional from A Mid-Summer Night's Dream. I quite enjoyed pulling out all the stops and stomping on the foot pedals to bring out the deep bass in the last one. Quite fun.

mad1150 · Post by **mad1150** » Tue Dec 19, 2006 4:44 pm

Sound's like you had a great time.

I really miss playing music with a group, it's quite a sense of accomplishment to have a moment where it all comes together at once (you, the other members, and the audience) especially during a difficult piece that comes out tight. It's just such a big rush!

But, not enough time right now, since I play guitar totally by ear, I have to practice A LOT!

Hijack On! (Sorry YJ - can't resist)

Did anyone get to see TSO this year? I'm gonna miss them

Hijack Off!

Post by **wncbmw** » Tue Dec 19, 2006 7:42 pm

Hey Yong - my son says he has played a few of those pieces! Which means I have heard them and don't remember the names!

Post by **yjleesvrr** » Tue Dec 19, 2006 10:25 pm

Well, you weren't the one playing them. So I don't think you can be faulted. At least you were smart enough to encourage your son to learn an instrument. Playing music is becoming all too rare with the younger generation these days.

Wass · Post by **Wass** » Wed Dec 20, 2006 2:48 pm

Jeeze sounds like we could put a band together of just R bike owners.
Me, I'm a drummer and still play a few gigs a year.
I know I know, drummers aren't really 'musicians', but just try and put a rock and roll band together without one. Pretty lame.

And I too appreciate the vintage gear. B3s, old Strats and Les Pauls, Fender P bass, and classic drum kits like my old Slingerland kit (which I keep trying to break, but it refuses to budge) and Gretch and Ludwig kits. Oh man.
One thing I do break quite regularly are my cymbals, which is quite distressing because a good cymbal costs about the same as a System Case, and nobody likes replacing those.
I also am the keeper of the PA gear which I try not to break to often. My stack of dead power amps is growing though. Haven't met too many of those I can't kill.

Post by **yjleesvrr** » Wed Dec 20, 2006 3:08 pm

Wass wrote:I know I know, drummers aren't really 'musicians',

I think drummers are definitely musicians! Whether you're talking about trying to put a classical orchestra together without timpani and kettle drums, or a jazz or rock band without percussion, it just doesn't work without someone banging on something in rhythm!

As for being able to put together a band with R owners, of course we can. We're a group of intelligent, intellectual, and sophisticated people with refined taste!

Post by **12bar1** » Wed Dec 20, 2006 7:43 pm

Nothing better than a Strat or Les Paul running through tube amp cranked to 11

. I have a strat and a 50w carvin head running through a 4 x 10 closed back cabinet. I don't get to play like that very often anymore but every once in a while when I am home alone I let it rip. It scares the crap out of the dog, small children and neighbors but it dosen't last long.

chris · Post by **chris** » Fri Dec 22, 2006 3:52 pm

ken k wrote:Hey! it is neat to see other musicians on board. While I would not consider myself a keyboard player, I can play little a bit, but would not play in public!

I was just going to post a message to see if there were any othere fellow music makers out there in beakster land when I read your post about the hammond organ. I do love that sound. My favorite band is Tower of Power, with their horn and organ sound!

My main instruments are trombone and tuba. I play in a brass quintet (Basic'ly Brass), a New Orleans style brass band (Nasty 9), Lancaster (PA) British Brass Band, Reading Pops Orchestra, a rock band horn section (The Faculty), and whom ever else will call. (In other words a low brass ho!). My day gig is an elementary band director

The worst part about playing tuba is it is also tough to take on the bike! i have strapped the trombone to the back on a number of ocassions but the tuba is a bit much!

ken "Merry Tuba Christmas!" k

My main instrument is alto sax tho I also play clarinet, guitar, bass, violin and piano. Can also pass as drummer if pushed but prefer sax as the pack away time, hence speed to the bar, is much quicker after the gig!

My daughters play piano, violin, clarinet and bassoon. Gets rowdy in here occasionally!

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