# Buying a Hammond organ **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [January 16, 2003, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buying-a-hammond-organ/149020 "2003-01-16T18:27:07Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Wolverine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/ba9def/32.png) [@Wolverine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wolverine)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2003, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buying-a-hammond-organ/149020/1 "2003-01-16T18:27:07Z")
My church was looking to purchase a used organ, the Hammond E-100. While we were waiting to decide, our pastor came across some people who think the model is not that great for churches. He asked me to search online for comparison shopping. However, most sites that I’ve found only describe the specs, not offer quality comparisons. Or maybe it is and I’m just to dense to understand it. Does anybody have any knowledge about Hammond organs that would be useful in purchasing one? ---
**Author:** ![I\_can\_t\_believe\_that\_s\_butter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/8edcca/32.png) [@I\_can\_t\_believe\_that\_s\_butter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/I_can_t_believe_that_s_butter)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2003, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buying-a-hammond-organ/149020/2 "2003-01-16T18:59:08Z")
I do know that the B-3 model is often hailed as the most versatile of organs, but they might be a little pricey nowadays. I do remember that the organist at a funeral last year played a Hammond C-3, which is like the B-3 only with built-in speakers. Despite my mourning, I was able to appreciate its tone (weird, I know, but it was a weird time). ---
**Author:** ![I\_can\_t\_believe\_that\_s\_butter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/8edcca/32.png) [@I\_can\_t\_believe\_that\_s\_butter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/I_can_t_believe_that_s_butter)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2003, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buying-a-hammond-organ/149020/3 "2003-01-16T19:00:42Z")
Or maybe it was C-100…In any event, someone is bound to know better. ---
**Author:** ![Shiva](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/85e7bf/32.png) [@Shiva](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shiva)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2003, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buying-a-hammond-organ/149020/4 "2003-01-16T19:08:34Z")
The C-3 has the same guts as the B-3 and uses an external (usually a Leslie) speaker cabinet. The “A” series spinets have built in speakers. Looking at this page [http://www.hamtech.org/ad/idfordummies.htm](http://www.hamtech.org/ad/idfordummies.htm) it appears the E series do also. ---
**Author:** ![Wolverine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/ba9def/32.png) [@Wolverine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wolverine)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2003, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buying-a-hammond-organ/149020/5 "2003-01-16T19:16:58Z")
I saw that site as well as this one, containing a lot of specs. [Hammond organs](http://theatreorgans.com/hammond/faq/all_hammonds.html) But it still doesn’t offer differences in quality of sound, ease and cost of repairing, and other factors that go into purchasing expensive products. ---
**Author:** ![Wolverine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/ba9def/32.png) [@Wolverine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wolverine)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2003, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buying-a-hammond-organ/149020/6 "2003-01-17T15:50:10Z")
Just doing a shameless bump to see if anybody else knows anything helpful. (not that I don’t appreciate the help received so far because I do, but I’m continuing in my never ending search for truth, justice, and good comparison shopping) ---
**Author:** ![Chanticleer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/65b543/32.png) [@Chanticleer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chanticleer)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2003, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/buying-a-hammond-organ/149020/7 "2003-01-17T17:59:38Z")
I agree with those in your church that don’t think the e-100 model is maybe the best choice. Hammond has several models that would no doubt suit your need. Don’t limit yourself to just Hammonds as a choice. Conn, Wurlitzer, Lowery, Thomas, Kimball etc.,all made models that would be good choices for a church. Look at all and maybe the organist in your church would be a good judge of what you need.