[HAM] Subject: B3 question:

[JOHN HABURAY]

Message: 1
Date: Fri, 27 Oct 2006 16:58:45 -0700 (PDT)
From: Luther Nallie <lnallie at yahoo.com>
Subject: [HAM] B3 question:
To: hammond at zeni.net
Message-ID: <20061027235845.66633.qmail at web34512.mail.mud.yahoo.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1

After many years of amplifiers blaring in my ears on the bandstand and 
working in a music store I have lost some highs in my hearing.  With 
that being said, I have a B3 and 2 122's and it seems like it is sounding 
more "bassy" to me.  With some drawbar combinations I hear the highs 
better but with the normal 888000000 with perc on, it sounds like it has 
lost some highs and also the 888800000 sounds the same.  I was 
wondering what wears out (1957 B3) that could cause the loss of highs (except 
my hearing).  Is that a candidate for recapping or tubes or both 
possibly?  It also sounds like my perc is not as pronounced as it was.  If I 
turn the percussion volume tab on "normal" it is pretty loud, but on 
soft, I think where most people use it, it sounds like it could be more 
"out there".  Any suggestions would be appreciated.  By the way, even if 
it was perfect, I would still sound like a guitar player trying to play 
a B3.
   
  Thanks, 
  Luther

Luther,
  Chances are the organ and the Leslie are getting tired as all 40 plus year old Hammonds and Leslie are. I am not sure what is so hard for many people to understand about rebuilding tired old electric instruments. This is like saying that perhaps because I am getting old maybe my car is not going as fast because I don't drive as fast as I did when I was 20. Even if I don't drive as fast as I did, the car is still most likely crapping out as well. Sure, maybe your ears are getting tired but it is my opinion that our bodies, cars, instruments, machines or anything that has been used for many years, need time, work and money to bring them somewhat back to life. I have played most all styles of music for 25 plus years and I still can hear a tired Hammond from a lively one in an instant. When I hear a rebuilt one it assures me there is absolutly nothing wrong with my hearing from playing in rock bands. If there was, I would hear them all sounding the same. Dull. The good thing
 is that your rig probably won't sound much worse for a while untill something actully gives up completely. Once Hammonds and Leslies start to sound tired, they stay that way for awhile. That's why a lot of people are used to hearing them that way, and think they are just dandy. Leave it alone and you too might get used to it. Or, get to work on it! :)
  John


www.HammondStore.com