Why are Organs so expensive????

[TwinkieClarkFan]

could someone tell me why do Organs cost so much??? I was at the music store today playing on the new hammond B3 model and the price was like $30,000, i never knew they were that expenisive....what is it about them that make them so much...most cars dont even cost that much..LOL

[ee_guy]

I think that you might have been playing the new Hammond B3.

Organs have lots of parts, but a new instrument has millions of dollars of research and development put into it.  The company has to get a pay-back for this investment.  Then there is the fact that "Hammond" is the only game in town, so just like Lexus and Cadillac, they can charge for the name - the prestige of ownership.  Another factor is that these big organs are typically purchased by churches and professionals who can afford (or at least come up with the money) the high price as opposed to a normal family for use in their living room.  And finally, these instruments are essentially hand-made.  There is no high-speed moving assembly line, so the labor costs are very high on a per-unit basis.

Also, demand has a lot to do with price.  A good used B3 runs about $5,000.  A really good used B3 from a "used B3 company" can run $10,000.  Used organs (like Lowery, etc.) are a lot cheaper.  For example I was looking at a Thomas console for $250.  Nice organ, but I'm not interested.

The B3 model is the most desired, so it is the most expensive.  (Actually the 1956 & 1957 years are considered the "best" years, so these instruments command an even higher price).  As others have pointed out on the forum, a C3 will do the job, and you can pick up a used C3 and Leslie for about $2,500 - maybe less.

I sometimes dream about finding a person who has had a B3 in their living room since 1956 and had decided that they just want rid of the old coffin.  "Just take it away, I want it out of here!"  (Be still my heart!)

[TwinkieClarkFan]

Thanks for clearing that up for me, I always wondered why they were so much. It's my dream to own a B3 also...they have them on ebay all the time for under $5,000.

[ee_guy]

I do follow the Hammonds on ebay, too.  You have to be careful if you purchase an organ without playing it first.  For example, B3's made in the 1970's are starting to develop problems with the "foam" - which they replaced the key felts with to save money.  This stuff is starting to get sticky and gooey.

Have to have a Leslie.  A used Leslie (in good condition) can run $1,000 to $1,500.  And then there's the transportation.  $750 - $1,000.  So, a $5,000 Hammond, Leslie, and transport can run in the range of $8,000!  So a $10,000 B3, Leslie and transport from one of the reputable B3 houses, where they have gone thru the organ and guarantee it -  is not a bad price.

HAMMOND ORGANS WERE HAND MADE ALSO! NO ASSEMBLY LINE FOR THESE MONSTERS, THEY'RE VERY DURABLE, SOME ARE 70+ YRD OLD, THE ORIGINAL HAMMONDS WERE DIS-CONTINUED IN THE '70'S. THEY ALWAYS WERE EXPENSIVE, IN HIGH DEMAND IN WHITE CHURCHES AS WELL AS BLACK CHURCHES NOW. IF YOU LOOK AROUND YOU CAN GET ONE AT A GOOD PRICE, AN A-100 IS A B-3 WITH SPEAKERS, BUT CAN BE MADE TO HOOK UP WITH A LELSIE...AND IS MUCH CHEAPER, MADE FOR THE HOME. C-3 IS A B-3 WITH A FULL CABINET, MADE FOR CHURCHES. B-3 WAS MADE TO REPLACE THE LARGE PIPE ORGANS, DIDN'T FLY TOO WELL THOUGH...BUT BLUES  / JAZZ MUSICIANS GOT AHOLD OF THEM THOUGH AND THE REST IS HISTORY :wink:

[ee_guy]

In the 1930's, when Laurens Hammond first introduced the Model A Hammond (looks like a small B), the American Guild of Organists (AGO) challenged his marketing of the instrument as an "organ".

So the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) held a hearing where the Model A was set-up in a church that had a pipe organ.  Both instruments were played for the commisioners.  The commission then decided that the Hammond was indeed an "organ".

I'm not sure when the next electronic or electric organ was introduced, but for (i'm guessing) 25 or 30 years Hammond had the market to themselves.

In the early day, Hammond sent out the "A", along with an organist and salesman, in a trailer (behind a car) to hundereds of small towns for demonstrations.  (<grin> I'm not sure if they kept the organist and/or the salesman in the trailer with the organ, or not.)  This proved to be an excellent maketing strategy, as many smaller churces now could afford an organ.

Hammondman is exactly right when he says that the A-100 series is an affordable alternative.   (Not to be confused with the original "A" series.  The number behind the "A" designates the cabinet style.)

Without going into pages of detailed explanation, for regular playing, you don't want a pre-1954 instrument.

I have an A-100 with a 122A leslie. It sounds as good as any B3 that I have ever heard. I even bought it on Ebay!

[ee_guy]

I'm gonna ask a question that doesn't need to be answered:  What did the package cost?

Did you have any problems with bidding or getting the instrument?

My A-100 was about $1000.00. Shipping can get pretty expensive. I bought my leslie brand new from BB organ. It was over $2,000. I wanted one badly enough to pay for it. There are no Hammonds available where I live. If there is one to be had they are often over priced. You really have to be careful buying an item like this on Ebay. There are a lot of scams there. Be sure to check out the seller"s history(feedback)Befor you try to win thier item. There are no alternitives to Ebay to get a Hammond in certain parts. It's safer to buy from a reputable music store when possible.