Testimonials … Mark Ashfield
Hi Wayne,
Book arrived safe and sound today. I must admit, I was a bit surprised
as my postal service is just as useless as my bank and I was half expecting
them to lose/destroy/eat it! But they didn't and it's here!
Wow! You obviously worked long and hard on this one! It's amazing.
Not only educational but entertaining as well. And I love all the tips along
the way (yes, I've read it from cover to cover already!) - the paperclips in
the unused generator lugs is genius... I was so dreading having to label
and unsolder that bugger but now I can't wait to get in there!
And the gooey foam advice will let me sleep easier tonight as well.
I have a C3 that I knew was clear but also an A100 that I gig with that
I suspected might be infected but now I know that's clear too... phew!
Well, I'm going to order the bits I need tomorrow, and probably from
Bill Brown as parts here are so hard to get hold of, then get cracking once
they've arrived on the A100 which sounds superb but needs a lot of work
here and there and cleaning from the top down. I'll probably get stuck right
in and follow your book for the whole rebuild I think.
Thanks for all your time and patience with the emails - we got there in the
end - and thanks for writing such a detailed and informative guide, you've
certainly saved me £££s and a very long wait - Hammond techs number
around 3 in the UK, and they're grumpy old bastards who won't even give
you the time of day! Maybe I could sign up for an electronics course at my
local uni and become one myself....?
If you need any testimonials or have any undecided potential purchasers
that need a push, please do not hesitate to point them my way and I'll do
all I can to convince them!
Thanks a million, you're a star. I'll keep you updated on the work!
Kind regards
mark.ashfield@btinternet.com
Hammond Age List Administrator
Hi Wayne,
I am very glad to make your acquaintance.
WOW! What a nice job you did with the manual! I hope my customers don't
see it!
The organ is gorgeous too.
I'm sure a lot of us have thought about writing such a book but never got
beyond that stage. I am surprised at the cost to produce it. Doubtless it
is justified with all the effort you have in it. Hope you sell a bunch
anyway. It certainly will save folks money on tech time, especially if they
would disassemble the organ before one arrives. In that respect it would
pay for itself.
rickp@prevailingwinds.net
Hammond Age List Administrator
http://users.solve.net/~rickp/Hammond/AgeList.HTML
Reproduction B3/122, C3/122/147, A/31H/31H
TrekII.com
Hello Wayne,
Thanks for the note. I received 2 attachments, both named Trek II.jpg.
One was 42.6K the other was 126K. Only one would open. In any event
it looks like you have listed our contact information and we certainly have
no problem with that.
Thanks.
Although I haven't actually seen the book, the images on your website are very
impressive. It looks like you put lots of effort into the book! I wish you luck with it.
I can relate to your surprise at the high costs of publishing in color.
I recently published a booklet on a WW II Navy ship with high quality
images and paper for a veterans group. Real sticker shock.
Regards,
Michael
Contact@TrekII.com
Lars Mikael
Hi Wayne,
Thanks for the note and best of luck with the sale of your manual. It certainly looks mighty impressive. I am honoured that you have included
my website among the resources.
Sincerely
Lars Mikael
Stephane Bredel
Hi Wayne,
The manuals arrived in perfect condition. Wooaaa, what a job !
Congratulation, this manual is full of details and recommendations !
All the best for you.
Best Regards,
StŽphane
stephanebredel@wanadoo.fr
Tommy Schneider
Hi Wayne,
Unbelivable! The manual has already arrived. Congratulations to the manual.
For sure it must have been a lot of work to fix it. At the moment I am looking
for a Leslie 122 / cherry. If you find one please contact me. Thanks a lot for all.
Ê
Best regards,
Tommy Schneider
Goff Professional
Wayne,
Thank you for your reply. If I ever had my B3 cleaned it would be by you sir.
From the look of the pictures on your site, you are meticulous and your
company has good ideas.
Goff
Rick Harris
Wayne:
Just a note to thank you for helping my wife get the book here in time
for my birthday. It was, indeed, a welcome and pleasant surprise.
The first test will be on my brother-in-law's C-3... clacking keys and
missing tones all over the place. (The key combs are the scary part for
me.) If that goes well, the next thing will be getting the foam out of
my own late model B-3. I've heard some real horror stories.
I've had my nose in the book since Tuesday night. It seems clear and
well done. For years, I've wished someone would make a book like this
available. Now, YOU have. Congratulations on an excellent manual
Rick Harris
Nathaniel Wilcox
Dear Wayne,
I cannot thank you enough for your site. It has helped me dearly
in restoring my WurliTzer model 4373. You must be thinking, well how
in the world does a Hammond site help out a Wurlitzer owner? All I can
say is all the pictures and text can help out a Lot. Suprisingly enough, tis
organ is not much different then a hammond. You tought me that a
thorough cleaning does wonders. My organ sounds 20 years younger,
and thats saying a lot since its well over 30 years old to start with. One
thing i have to ask is, is there any way to restore the painted labels on the
rocker-switches? Most of them are fine, but the heavy use ones such as
the spectra tone( wurlitzer form of leslie) wear off. Also any tips on getting
the keys whiter? Mine are pretty yellow at the tips, mostly because of the
sun. I have been using a few cans of radioshack brand of contact cleaner on
everything, and boy what a help. And yes, I know, I'm looking for a place
to buy some DEOXIT, any places you know of that have it? I also have a
hammond aurora custom from about 1979. Its in near mint all except about
4 inches of the lower c pedal broke off. The pedals have a tendincy to come
on and off as they please. For about half the year they work and the other
half they dont. Well, As I said earlier, I thank you and your site for all the
major help in my restoration.
Sincerely, Nathaniel Wilcox
Edwin Kuipers
Hello there,
Some while ago I sent you a couple of technical questions about a hum
and a ground problem in my A100. In the mean time I solved everything,
mostly with help of the information on your website.
Thanks for that.
And for sure, you got one of the most interesting and beautiful
sites about the real thing!
(I'm looking forward for the next update.)
Regards,
Edwin Kuipers
Amsterdam
The Netherlands
Lauritz
Wayne,
The parcel arrived today. I have managed to have a very
briefly look in the book and there was plenty of good pictures.
The book was very ok. Thanks.
Regards
Lauritz
Will Eggleston
Wayne,
You're way out of control! But, an inspiration to those of us who
someday wish to take on the responsibillty of restoring our own B3.
Will Eggleston
Genelec Inc.
Kenichirou Iwai
Dear Wayne,
" The B3 D&R Manual "arrived today.
Thanks for a great transaction.
Yours affectionately,
Kenichirou Iwai
J.D. Birdwell
wayne,
I got the manual and will be devouring it for the next couple of weeks.
thank you so much for this sweet opportunity.
J.D. Birdwell B-2 custom red, trek II, hamptone eq, brassed volume
assembly and plates, smooth drawbar, new copper rectifier, redone
scanner, preamp, and various other mods
Mark Ashfield
Hi Wayne
Just a quick note to let you know that I finished the A100 today! I did
everything you outlined in your excellent manual apart from rebuilding
the scanner - I really liked the sound of the chorus on this one so figured
'if it ain't broke don't fix it'! I also gig-proofed it, gave the bashed up old
case a brand new satin black finish and fitted it with proper flight case
handles and catches - something I wouldn't have attempted without the
knowledge of how to remove the innards gained from your book.
Unfortunately I ended up with a gooey foam problem, but this has now
been removed and damage is minimal. A few wires had been damaged
beyond repair but I managed to pull apart the loom a little and splice most
of them back together - but strangely there were 7 wires!! Goodness only
knows where the other is but as a result I have one tone missing tone on the
very top A on the lower manual on a drawbar I rarely use up there anyway.
Glad we caught it when we did!
The only other problem I have now is that the percussion isn't working properly.
It triggers if you hold down a key and switch it on, but won't re-trigger when
you play a note again. Also, the sound of other drawbars on the upper manual
drops when you pull out the top drawbar so I'm guessing this is all related.
I've no idea what's causing this so it looks like I might have to get a tech in to
help out with that one.
Other than that, it's fab! I'm going to put some photos on a website when
the percussion problem is fixed and I'll be putting a 'thank you' and a link
to your website on there. Not only has your book greatly enhanced my
appreciation of the Hammond, but you've saved an A100 from getting
eaten by the foam monster!
I can't thank you enough for writing it!
Best wishes
mark.ashfield@btinternet.com
Norman Hartendorp
Hi Wayne,
Got the manual in the mail the other day and have finally had a few
moments to look it over. We've been quite busy over the holidays at
work (music store) and I've been sneaking a few chapters in between.
I find it extremely helpful and can't wait until I have some time to put
it to actual use (on my own C3 and a B3 here at the store).
Any prospects of a video in the near future? :-)
Thanks Wayne and Happy Holidays. I see what you mean about
prohibitive costs for the video. Nevertheless, I hope you are aware
of how many grateful folks, including myself there are out there for
your great manual!
Norman Hartendorp
npharten@ite.net
Michel Benebig
Beautiful Job & Web-Site!
Hello From New Caledonia in South-Pacific!
I'm Michel Benebig, I teach Jazz organ & piano at the
Conservatoire de Musique of Noumea City, New Caledonia.
I've just visited your very nice web site, congratulations.
I do have in my Hammond room at my place 4 Hammond
organs and 6 Leslie 122 all in great conditions. I do all services by myself too!
My collection:
One Cherrywood B3 with matching one cherrywood Leslie 122RV, and one
cherrywood PR40, very early 60's mint.
One Walnut B3 very early 60's with one Leslie 122 H.
One Portable B3 ex A100 now in Bertram Musik.
B3 Portable Black case with two Leslie 122H
and one PR40, I use for gigs & concerts tours etc.
One Cherrywood A102 at the Music School,
two Leslie Suzuki 122A.
We all have to save the tone-wheel Organs for future generations.
We all have to teach Jazz / blues and heritage organ music to the
young generation. We all have to keep alive the Hammond music.
Best regards,
Michel
Robert McRaven
Wayne,
I've read through your manual, great effort, great stuff! Your words,
plus pictures, plus having a real Hammond to look at (me) should get me
through. If I had your manual two weeks earlier, it would have saved me
a mini-grief. I broke a solder lug on the delay line module trying to reattach
a wire (in a solder filled hole). I would have heeded one of you many well
placed cautions. More of my comments on the manual way below.
My plan is to start work after the holidays in January, after things slow down.
In the mean time I'll get my workshop organized for the specific job, get
the chemicals you recommend and get any tools, lighting, clamps, materials,
etc I need but don't have.
I'm sure it depends on the status of the instrument, but I'd be interested
in your estimate of your man-hours required to do a complete restoration
job on a typically home owned B3 (minus furniture refinishing).
My instrument is pretty clean and works fairly well. I won't
have that yucky goop problem you described. It's too old.
I'll be able to spend a couple hours a day on it during the workweek
and maybe 8 to 10 hours on the weekend. I won't be in a hurry, but
I'd like to have a feel for the size of the job. I'd problem take your
estimate and multiply by X3 because of my inexperience
and maybe X2 with the help of your book.
Any feedback will be greatly appreciated,
Bob McRaven
PS: Other comments on manual.
I notice that in refurbishing key contacts and pedal contacts, effort is put
into the bus bars but not into the finger contacts. Are the finger contacts
somewhat self cleaning due to a wiping effect on the bars? Does the
chemical put on the bus bars take care of the finger contact cleaning through
usage?
I like the comments on finding loose screws in the instrument. Look for
empty screw holes but also consider the possibility of production extras
or debris occurring during factory assembly.
I like your emphasis on techniques that will help during reassembly like
paper clips in unused solder holes, labelling many containers with
subassembly parts like screws, clamps...tricks of the trade. Good practical
advice.
It's good having a list of tried and proven fluids /
chemicals that will be appropriate for restoring the Hammond.
The color pictures will be invaluable (a thousand words).
The list of resources in the back pages of your book is a nice plus.
I could go on.
Robert McRaven
Mark Ashfield
Hi Wayne
Just thought I'd give you a quick update on how your life-changing
B3 guide is affecting the Hammond scene here in the UK, and how
things have moved on since I bought it from you a year ago.
Well, I took the plunge and started servicing, restoring and chopping
Hammonds for other people. Following the excellent example of your
fine work, I put quality before anything else and soon started to build
up a bit of a reputation. Before long I'd got quite a list of well known
clients under my belt, was getting plenty of work hiring out that black
A100 I refurbished, and I decided to launch a website to answer a lot of
questions I was getting via email and further spread the word of our
services.
The website has taken off really well and we are adding to it all the time.
I am now working with a guy called Dennis who is a bit of a tube circuit
guru and is doing most of the electronic side of things whilst I deal with the
rest. I've also started stocking spares (which are really hard to get hold of
here in the UK) thanks to BIll Brown - another recommendation of yours
who has been fantastic.
Anyway, I just wanted to thank you once again for, firstly, taking the
time to write your book and, secondly, doing it so well! It really has
made a huge difference, not just to me, but to everyone who's
Hammond has been restored over here because of it. Thank you!
The website is; www.retrokeys.co.uk
Thanks again!
Kind regards
mark.ashfield@btinternet.com
Roger
....uhhh, yes - got the "bible".....
Thanks a lot - and respect what you have done!!! I received it yesterday -
since now, I only had a look for 15 minutes - and I think I will start work
with it in one month or so - looking forward to that!!! The only thing that
I missed for the first look, are some words to recap the generator......but
I know, it`s called for non technicians.... that would maybe go to far. Sure
I will love it......and will need it!!!
You know, I have 10 big old Hammond-ladies....no I am not a Hammond graveyard, but one of them - C2 -looks like it had spend some month on the ground of the ocean.....but still
sounds real great!!!
I will start with that C2, and I have almost everything in spare....I could almost build with that stuff a whole Hammond ....so what can happen??? On the other hand - I like when a Hammond looks real old and not so shiny...I even love this unique smell of them….hmmm.
when I am ready with the first one I come to you....I think I would be the perfect man to work with you (joking....).....but till then I go on with my job making
teeth - I am a self employed dental technician......
The other good thing is - I hope my English will be better after reading your whole book.
Well, again - thank you....and maybe, later on, when I have some serious
questions, I hope it`s allowed to ask you by e-mail.....
Best regards from Germany
Roger
Weitersagen: GMX DSL-Flatrates mit Tempo-Garantie!
Ab 4,99 Euro/Monat: http://www.gmx.net/de/go/dsl
Eric Webster
Hi Wayne,
That's the hippest thing I've ever seen. Amazing that you've done such a
thing. Well, I will certainly be ordering one from you soon. I just bought a
very nice (haven't seen it yet, should get it next week sometime) 72 B3. I
own a 57 C3 that I've gigged with for the last 10 yrs, and recently bought
an almost mint A100, that I think I will make my new road organ. I was
interested in your A chop. In the end product is the original preamp still
hanging down? I would like some info on perhaps doing this to mine.
I can't quite tell from the pic's what is really the finished product.
Anyway, I just wanted to compliment you on the manual.
I live in Vancouver, BC. My name is Eric Webster and I've played with Colin
James, Amanda Marshall, Tom Cochrane, Long John Baldry, and others, all
Canadian artists. Where are you located ? You probably haven't heard of any
of these people. Anyway, I've been lucky enough to carry my C with me on all
of these gigs.
Take care and I'll be in touch soon,
Great work !
Eric Webster
Vancouver, Canada
778 839 2480
ericwebster@shaw.ca
Rick Fitzsimmons
hi wayne,
thank you for the great web site.
you are doing incredible work.
rick fitzsimmons
richmond, va.
HŒkan Jonsson
Hi Wayne,
the manual has arrived, and it looks great.
Now I've got a projekt during the long winter.
HŒkan Jonsson
Bill Roskelley
Hi again Wayne,
I received the manual today. Great job. I'm sure I'll find it very useful.
I'm not quite ready to start the project yet, but when I do I'll probably be
bothering you now and then.
Thanks very much,
Bill Roskelley
Werner
Hi Wayne,
yesterday I came home from my tour and finaly the manual received a few
days ago. Looks fantastic. I agree, its worth the money. Thank you very much
and I«m sorry we had so much trouble with the money. But finaly everything
is perfect.
Werner
wschmidl@mac.com