HANGAR18 Posted September 3, 2013 Share Posted September 3, 2013 To re-purpose a Hammond tone cabinet, or not. That is the question. Having seen a few of the documentaries of those of you who set out to build their own guitar amplifiers, I can't help but wonder if this Hammond RP40 tone cabinet could be re-purposed somehow into an electric guitar amplifier. I don't feel like I would have the required technical knowledge or attention span required in order to hand wire my own tube amp from a kit, but I do wonder if it would be plausible for someone to convert this Hammond tone cabinet into a guitar amp. Or maybe it just isn't worth the effort. What is a Tone Cabinet? Well, it is a combination of amplifier and speaker cabinet which was connected to a HUGE Hammond concert organ which was built around 1964, as the organ did not have any amplification of its own. It has two 15" speakers and two 12" speakers. (One of the 12's is aimed upward.) My wife and I sold the organ on Craigslist but the buyer didn't want the tone cabinet. Looking at all those tubes inside this thing got me to thinking as described above. So, I have to make a decision as to what to do with this monstrosity. Keep it, sell it, turn it into a Frankenstein project? What should I do with it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
schundog Posted September 3, 2013 Share Posted September 3, 2013 I'm no expert, but I'd pull the tubes for possible future use, and either use the cabinet as a side table to hold stuff (you wil probably have to put a similarly stained piece of wood on the top to do this or put it on the curb. Possibly pull the amp chassis, as I know there is at least one company that pulled Hammond organ guts and put them into small guitar combo amps. As it stands, I don't see it as a viable guitar amp, but again, I'm no expert, and this is all in my humble opinion. Good Luck with whatever you decide! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gitfiddler Posted September 3, 2013 Share Posted September 3, 2013 I know zip about Hammond B3's or their tone cabs, but if I were in your shoes, I'd look to an expert for advice. Check out this site: http://www.b3hammond.com/default.asp Very cool box you've got, by the way! Good luck with whatever you do with it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billgelder Posted September 3, 2013 Share Posted September 3, 2013 Analog Outfitters: ORGANic 15 http://www.gbase.com/gear/analog-outfitters-organic-15-2011# Year: 2012 Manufacturer: Analog Outfitters Model: ORGANic 15 Case: None Color: Condition: Brand New Description: Hand crafted with premium parts from Vintage Hammond Organs that were no longer in use, taking superb tonal advantage of some of the finest output transformers ever made. The fine wooden cabinet is also from old Hammond consoles, and may include some minor scuffs and/ or nicks that quite possibly derive from a New Year's Eve party in Grandma's living room in 1961(?). We "love" the beautiful vintage tone, lush & controllable natural overdrive and funky vibe from this very limited availability amp. 15 watts of tonal nirvana (no, not those guys). No 2 are alike, and just about 100 will ever be made. (4 ohm cabinet, and available metal box version in 8 ohms at just $799- see pics, and more pics on request) Wolfe Guitars: * Jupiter, Florida @ 561-746-2209 DEMO VIDEOS- LINKS AT LEFT ALSO shown with 2 x 10 Analog Outfitters cabinet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
schundog Posted September 3, 2013 Share Posted September 3, 2013 Analog Outfitters: ORGANic 15 http://www.gbase.com/gear/analog-outfitters-organic-15-2011# Year: 2012 Manufacturer: Analog Outfitters Model: ORGANic 15 Case: None Color: Condition: Brand New Description: Hand crafted with premium parts from Vintage Hammond Organs that were no longer in use, taking superb tonal advantage of some of the finest output transformers ever made. The fine wooden cabinet is also from old Hammond consoles, and may include some minor scuffs and/ or nicks that quite possibly derive from a New Year's Eve party in Grandma's living room in 1961(?). We "love" the beautiful vintage tone, lush & controllable natural overdrive and funky vibe from this very limited availability amp. 15 watts of tonal nirvana (no, not those guys). No 2 are alike, and just about 100 will ever be made. (4 ohm cabinet, and available metal box version in 8 ohms at just $799- see pics, and more pics on request) Wolfe Guitars: * Jupiter, Florida @ 561-746-2209 DEMO VIDEOS- LINKS AT LEFT ALSO shown with 2 x 10 Analog Outfitters cabinet. Ah, yes, THAT'S where I've seen the guts of a Hammond Organ in an amp head; at the now-closed Brentwood, TN, Wolfe location. Ironically, these are made about 40 miles from my house, in Champaign, Illinois. Go Fighting Illini!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bolero Posted September 3, 2013 Share Posted September 3, 2013 man, I would keep that thing and get a keyboard to plug into it!! if you are set on getting rid of it, it's probably better to keep it stock than to spend a bunch of money you'll never get back in resale? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HANGAR18 Posted September 3, 2013 Author Share Posted September 3, 2013 Analog Outfitters: ORGANic 15 http://www.gbase.com/gear/analog-outfitters-organic-15-2011# Year: 2012 Manufacturer: Analog Outfitters Model: ORGANic 15 Case: None Color: Condition: Brand New Description: Hand crafted with premium parts from Vintage Hammond Organs that were no longer in use, taking superb tonal advantage of some of the finest output transformers ever made. The fine wooden cabinet is also from old Hammond consoles, and may include some minor scuffs and/ or nicks that quite possibly derive from a New Year's Eve party in Grandma's living room in 1961(?). We "love" the beautiful vintage tone, lush & controllable natural overdrive and funky vibe from this very limited availability amp. 15 watts of tonal nirvana (no, not those guys). No 2 are alike, and just about 100 will ever be made. (4 ohm cabinet, and available metal box version in 8 ohms at just $799- see pics, and more pics on request) Wolfe Guitars: * Jupiter, Florida @ 561-746-2209 DEMO VIDEOS- LINKS AT LEFT ALSO shown with 2 x 10 Analog Outfitters cabinet. Wow! That's interesting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HANGAR18 Posted September 3, 2013 Author Share Posted September 3, 2013 man, I would keep that thing and get a keyboard to plug into it!! if you are set on getting rid of it, it's probably better to keep it stock than to spend a bunch of money you'll never get back in resale? I would be more likely to just get a modern keyboard product of some sort which sounds like a Hammond than keep this huge thing around as a permanent fixture in the living room. It's in the way of where I want to put the new drum set. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DetroitBlues Posted September 3, 2013 Share Posted September 3, 2013 Looks like a fun project, I'm sure it can be used for something. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SouthpawGuy Posted September 3, 2013 Share Posted September 3, 2013 Interesting. How heavy is it ? . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest HRB853370 Posted September 3, 2013 Share Posted September 3, 2013 There is an amp builder in Atlanta that uses components from those old units. Goodsell Amplification. I am sure he would purchase it from you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tulk1 Posted September 3, 2013 Share Posted September 3, 2013 Dr. Z used old Hammond chassis for his original amps. Gotta be a way to use this one ... for something! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HANGAR18 Posted September 4, 2013 Author Share Posted September 4, 2013 Interesting. How heavy is it ? . Not as heavy as my truck, but heavy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HANGAR18 Posted September 4, 2013 Author Share Posted September 4, 2013 It was really interesting to see that my guess was right, in that yes, you can make a guitar amp out of the amplification circuits in a Hammond tone cabinet. I'm still not inclined to take on the project myself so I reached out to a few places today to see if the cabinet or parts of it might have some value so that I could sell all or some of it. I didn't hear back from everyone but I am not thinking that the value of the cabinet or the parts of it are worth my personal time to mess with any of it much further. So here's the deal. If there are one or more of you HOC amp building gurus out there who would like to build a vintage tone sounding amp or two from this unit, let me know and you can have some parts FREE so long as I don't have to spend any money to get the parts to you. (ie you pay shipping for whatever parts you want.) There are two circuits in there so I guess that should make two amps, and the cabinet and tolex might be able to be halved to make tow enclosures as well. Whatever doesn't get claimed (soon) will be relocated to the nearest recycling facility. I'm done with it. Let the dibbs calling begin. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bolero Posted September 4, 2013 Share Posted September 4, 2013 doh! I missed the part where you said you sold the organ I bet there's some guys on the rhodes/etc keyboard forum who could use that, and keep it intact as what it is....want me to ask them? otherwise you could donate it to a church, they have organs etc? in fact I got a leslie speaker cab for $10 from a church!! would be karma to give one back Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HANGAR18 Posted September 4, 2013 Author Share Posted September 4, 2013 doh! I missed the part where you said you sold the organ I bet there's some guys on the rhodes/etc keyboard forum who could use that, and keep it intact as what it is....want me to ask them? otherwise you could donate it to a church, they have organs etc? in fact I got a leslie speaker cab for $10 from a church!! would be karma to give one back Whatever works. It needs to be gone before Friday the 13th. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
212Mavguy Posted September 4, 2013 Share Posted September 4, 2013 A couple of the speakers look like some pretty nice, efficient low power alnico ring magnet alnicos, they will sound grreat. The lower thang with the big iron is a power supply, the chassis with more tubes is the power amp. Just find a way to connect the preamp of a Marshall into that sucka, you will get religion real quick. That is one heck of a slave cab as it sits if the amps and tubes are in good shape, if the caps are old not too spendy to fix up back to glory. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bolero Posted September 4, 2013 Share Posted September 4, 2013 ok I posted the info....I suggested at least a case of beer or some scotch for your troubles? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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