Used Hammond C3 Organ With Bench - Includes 122 Leslie Speaker Cabinet

You are looking at one of the most iconic and desired instruments in music history. The combination of a vintage Hammond C3 Organ and a Leslie 122 Speaker is considered the gold standard for the "Tonewheel Organ" sound, sought after by jazz, blues, rock, and gospel musicians worldwide.

Here is a detailed breakdown of this legendary pairing:

The Hammond C3 Organ (The Core)

The Hammond C3 is virtually identical to the more famous B3 model, sharing the exact same internal components and sound generation system. The only difference is the cabinet style: the C3 has a closed, church/theater-style cabinet with "modesty panels" or solid legs, making it heavier and less portable than the B3's four legs.

• Tonewheel Generator: The heart of the organ. This is an electro-mechanical system with 91 spinning metal discs that generate the fundamental sound, giving the organ its distinct, rich, and slightly imperfect sound that digital clones still struggle to perfectly replicate.

• Drawbars: The nine sliding drawbars per manual allow the player to mix harmonic tones (like a pipe organ's stops) to create a virtually infinite number of sounds.

• Two 61-Note Manuals: Standard two-tiered keyboard for playing complex passages.

• Vibrato/Chorus Scanner: This unique mechanical vibrato/chorus unit is key to the Hammond sound, providing a thick, shimmering modulation effect that is instantly recognizable.

• Harmonic Percussion: Introduced in the B3/C3, this feature provides a decaying, single-note attack that is essential for jazz and blues playing.

The Leslie 122 Speaker (The Magic)

The Leslie speaker is what transforms the organ's tone into the classic swirling, "Doppler effect" sound. The Model 122 is the most desired Leslie for the B3/C3 due to its specific amplifier design and interface.

• Rotary Speakers: The 122 has an upper horn rotor for high frequencies and a bass rotor (drum) for low frequencies.

• Two-Speed Motor: The player uses a half-moon switch on the organ to change the rotation speed between:

  • Chorale (Slow): A gentle, slow, shimmering effect.

  • Tremolo (Fast): A rapid, dramatic, and intense effect.

• Tube Amplifier: The Leslie 122 uses an all-tube (vacuum tube) amplifier, which adds natural compression and a desirable harmonic warmth/overdrive (often called "growl") when pushed hard.

• Balanced Input: The 122 uses a balanced input system, which helps reduce hum and noise, making it the preferred Leslie for permanent studio or church installations.

This combination is a truly exceptional, professional instrument. If it is in good working order, it is a lifetime investment in music history.