Paul Kirner's Theatre Organ Collection

Hammond X66

 

Manufactured between 1967 to 1973, this futuristic looking instrument was the most expensive model ever produced by Hammond, costing £5,500

 

The organ’s design was the product of an innovative industrial competition of the time. The result was a wonderful futuristic concept that transcends time. The use of chrome pedestals, mahogany and ebony, give the X-66 its signature look, never again attempted due to its extravagant cost.

 

Its great sound is produced by a unique tone generator and 11 tone bars. The vibratos give it a it’s distinctive brand of animation which is in perfect balance, resulting in the ultimate Hammond organ sound that is the X-66.

 

Tone Cabinet – Matching the futuristic design of the console is the series 12 tone cabinet which houses a 5 channel 200 watt (music power output) amplifier driving seven speakers and two high frequency horns.

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Hammond B3000

 

This model was manufactured from late 1978. It was envisaged as a solid-state copy of the famous B-3, but with some very useful additions.

 

The B3000 was the last to be produced by Hammond before being taken over by the Japanese Suzuki company.

 

In addition to all the presets and drawbars available on the original B-3 this instrument has a string division, electric and grand pianos and, most importantly, pedal sustain. They also re-introduced the key click sound which was a characteristic feature of the tonewheel B-3.

 

Here it is connected to the matching Leslie - Model HL-722.

 

The B3000 was used regularly by the legendary Hammond player Lenny Dee who made several recordings with one.

Hammond M3

 

The M3 model was manufactured from 1955 until 1964.

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It has many similarities with the well known B3 & C3 models, but it has shorter compass keyboards, a single set of drawbars for each keyboard, and no presets.

 

The M-series was the original “spinet” organ - a style with short-compass off-set keyboards, and only one octave of pedals which are shorter in length than those of a full console model. Later spinet models had 13 note pedalboards, but the M series had 12 - omitting top C.

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Our M3 is connected to the Hammond PR40 Tone Cabinet, but kits were available to connect them to a Leslie speaker. In this form the M3 was used on the 60s classic 'Green Onions' by Booker T & the MG's