Buying an A-100, what problems to look for?

[Dazzer]

Tomorrow i'm going to check out an A-100 tomorrow....the info i have (what the seller says) is that it's a red-cap (???), 220V (i'm in Europe) and is in perfect condition.

I don't have any experience with a real hammond, so could anyone give me a sort of check-list of problems to look out for?!

Thanks!

[docjohn]

The red cap is the latter ones used a better(?) capacitor,so it is probably a 70's model or late 60's.

Big mistake to try what you are doing blind.Unless it's absolute cheap and you have access to a reliable tech-there is NO end to what you can spend

on repairs.Find somebody qualified,take them along and pay them!Otherwise;you will probably get hosed.

[Dazzer]

Thanks for the reply!

I'm a professional audio engineer so at least i have my ears to rely on!

So, i went there today........the A100 seemed like it was in good condition, but it didn't sound good to me (bass manual had lots of extra harmonics that shouldn't have been there). BUT! - it turned out the seller also had a C3 for sale. And he agreed to throw in a PR-40 for the same price. There was a huge difference in sound between the A100 and the C3 through the PR-40.

So i'm going back tomorrow with cash to pick it up.

You're right, it ain't sensible, but i'm not poor so can take a hit on repairs if necessary. But the C3 seemed to be in VERY good condition. And the seller was a TOTAL hammond freak, which i think is a plus point.

Will let you know how everything pans out!

[docjohn]

A 100's do have "more" bass because the AO 28 pre-amp (same as C3/B3) has a different resistor especially to drive the inbuilt sprks.

There's a DVD "Inside Hammond" that I see from an Italian guy on U-tube;might be a good resource.How $$$ did your C cost?

good luck + enjoy

[Dazzer]

Your gonna laugh / cry, but my C3 cost me 4000 euro, including  PR-40 tone cabinet.

Here in Europe, Hammonds are generally around twice as expensive as in the US.

Anyway, had it now for a couple of weeks, seems to have no technical problems and sounds amazing!

Now just gotta learn to play this beast!

[docjohn]

what is that is US  $$$?

For your leslie effect-look @ the Neo Ventilator.You should be able to get an unbalanced 1/4 line out from the (?)GG and ground terminal off the pre-amp.That way you can have a "real hammond " sound.

You may have to research how to get this all to work;if using a B3 /leslie+tone cabinet-there's a specific relay cutting the various spkrs in/out as the leslie spins up + down.With the built in spkrs in your A +tone cabinet;not exactly sure how to avoid overloading the spkrs.

If you haven't heard of the "vent" check out you-tube and how well it makes clones sound.Sebastian@ Show Me That sells and is a tech.