Sound of Joy Video Network

“ Introduction to the Hammond Organ”

To start the Hammond Organ you push and hold the start switch while counting 8 seconds. Continue to hold

the start switch then press and hold the run switch and count for 8 seconds. Release them both and the start

switch will toggle back but the run switch will stay forward. On the preset keys you will find preset tones.

When you depress any of these key they will stay depressed and select the tones printed on the keys. If you

depress the keys to the right of the preset keys you will enter the harmonic drawbar mode. This is where you

can create your own combination of tones independent of the preset harmonic tones. Each manual has two

sets of drawbar that correspond to the preset manual drawbar you have selected. The bass drawbars found

in the middle of the drawbars control the tone of the bass foot pedals. The Bass foot pedals are played with

the heal/toe method where you play the lighter pedals with the heal area of your foot and the black pedals

with your toe. The volume pedal controls the over all loudness of the organ. The Leslie switch

(some models don’t have one) controls two whirling cones in the Leslie amplifier that creates that theatrical

effect of sound splitting the air synonymous with the Hammond Organ. Then bench is where you sit of

course. I you have the later version of the Hammond Organ (XB-2 and up) you will not have the start/run or

Leslie switch. Some organs have been modified with newer technology eliminating these components.

There's are many models of Hammond Organs in churches today. I have acquired some images of them and

a brief description of what features they have in common. Some of the do’ and don’t are

1. make sure you press start and hold for 8 second. Never press both switches at same time.

2. pull gently on the drawbars, there are stops that will break and drawbars come off in you hand.

3. when playing foot pedals try not to “stomp” on then. There are springs called pedal pushers that will break.

4. if certain tones are not heard when drawbars are pulled out chances are the wire in rear of that drawbar

has broken. If your mechanically inclined you can repair the problem yourself with a soldering iron.

5. if your area experiencing distortion from the Leslie amp chances are the vacuum tubes have worn out.

Have only a qualified Hammond Organ tech to come and check out entire organ and have him do preventative

maintenance such as checking the oil level in the reservoirs, foot pedal tension and worn belts in Leslie

amp. The Hammond Oran has stood the test of time and will continue to be the instrument of choice in

today’s churches.

Drawbar settings Upper(chord/solo hand) Lower(chord hand) Bass

During Meditaion Time 007800453 006700540 63

Testimony Service 787746046 008800673 71

While speaker is talking 678404231 006602024 63

Latin 880060000 006676000 62

Progessive 888800000 008884000 75

Born to B3 888808008 007725400 84

Theatre Organ 878656467 008844000 75

America 887724110 006606000 61

House Bass 880000000 008080000 80

House Church 808808008 008808021 80

Jimmy Mc G 883200125 448650000 83

5th Organ 080080883 008806000 73

Full B3 Clean 888888888 777777777 85

Soft Backing 888700000 555400000 62

Holmes 888420080 000505000 72

Screaming 800388888 007033333 72

Shoutin 878645466 888800000 84

Now these drawbar setting are just a few you can try with your Hammond Organ. Traditionally

you would play the upper manual with your right hand and the lower manual with your left.