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Average Price: $3,100

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$799

$2000+

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Description

Introducing the Hammond C-3, a classic instrument that resonates with vintage charm and exquisite craftsmanship. This organ finds its roots in the iconic B3 model, but is gracefully housed in a C-type cabinet that adds an extra layer of sophistication. The Hammond C-3 is available in two elegant finishes, walnut and oak, each adding a unique aesthetic appeal to this timeless instrument. With its rich tones and classic design, it's an invaluable addition to any musician's collection, promising to deliver a profound and unforgettable musical experience.

Key Features:

  • Inspired by the iconic B3 model
  • Housed in a sophisticated C-type cabinet
  • Available in Walnut and Oak finishes
  • Delivers rich, vintage tones
  • Classic design and superior craftsmanship

Product specs

Brand Hammond
Model C3
Finish Natural
Year 1955 - 1974
Made In United States
Categories Organs
Analog / Digital Analog
Key Size Full Size
Keyboard Action Synth Action
Number of Keys 61 Keys

FAQs

What makes the Hammond C-3 different from the B-3 model?

The Hammond C-3 is essentially the same as the B-3 in terms of sound and features, but it has a full wooden cabinet, making it more suited for church and home use where aesthetics are important.

Does the Hammond C-3 require a Leslie speaker for optimal sound?

While the Hammond C-3 can be played without a Leslie speaker, pairing it with a Leslie greatly enhances its iconic sound, adding dynamic tremolo and vibrato effects that are highly sought after.

How many keys does the Hammond C-3 have, and what is the key action like?

The Hammond C-3 features 61 full-size keys with a synth action, providing a smooth and responsive playing experience typical of classic Hammond organs.

Is the Hammond C-3 suitable for live performances?

The Hammond C-3 is renowned for its rich, full sound and is a staple in live performances, especially in jazz, rock, and gospel genres, although its size and weight may require careful transportation planning.

What is the primary sound characteristic of the Hammond C-3?

The Hammond C-3 is celebrated for its warm, rich tones and the ability to produce complex harmonics, making it a favorite for creating lush soundscapes and soulful solos.

GigiAO28

GigiAO28

Hammond C3 Beast sound (Jon Lord - Deep Purple)

Video thumbnail for Hammond C3 Beast sound (Jon Lord - Deep Purple) by GigiAO28

Hammond C3 Beast sound (Jon Lord - Deep Purple)

GigiAO28

GigiAO28

Video thumbnail for Old Gal 57 Hammond C3 with 122 Leslie Groove by Patrik Gudmundsäter

Old Gal 57 Hammond C3 with 122 Leslie Groove

Patrik Gudmundsäter

Patrik Gudmundsäter

Video thumbnail for Comparing A-100, B3 and C3 Hammond Organs by Jim Huss, Keyboard Exchange International

Comparing A-100, B3 and C3 Hammond Organs

Jim Huss, Keyboard Exchange International

Jim Huss, Keyboard Exchange International

Video thumbnail for Berklee College Of Music - Hammond C3 with Dave Limina by Dylan James Shaw

Berklee College Of Music - Hammond C3 with Dave Limina

Dylan James Shaw

Dylan James Shaw

Video thumbnail for Hammond C3 Organ Demonstration with special guest Don Shinn by Vintage Keys Studio

Hammond C3 Organ Demonstration with special guest Don Shinn

Vintage Keys Studio

Vintage Keys Studio

Video thumbnail for Everything you need to know about the  Hammond C3 organ (Part 1 of 2) by Nick Foley UK - Hammond for Hire

Everything you need to know about the Hammond C3 organ (Part 1 of 2)

Nick Foley UK - Hammond for Hire

Nick Foley UK - Hammond for Hire

Reviews

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Hammond C-3.

Mods and upgrades

  • Some C-3 models have been retrofitted with a 3-series preamp, providing full 3-series functionality via cheekblock switches.

    Source
  • It's possible to modify a 6-pin Leslie connector to a 9-pin for better compatibility with different Leslie models.

    Source
  • Modifications may include replacing the matching transformer with a dual transformer from a 2 or 3 series model to enable selectable vibrato.

    Source

Value and pricing

  • A PR-40 tone cabinet may require only minimal investment compared to a Leslie, providing an interim solution for new Hammond C-3 owners.

    Source

User experience

  • Reconing old speakers is an option, but costs might match purchasing new ones, making replacement a practical consideration.

    Source
  • Owners note that the PR-40 tone cabinet is often available for under $50 with regional price variation, making it an affordable option for many.

    Source
  • Despite advances in digital emulations, the physical experience and sound of a real Hammond console remain unmatched for many organists.

    Source
  • The C-3 is preferred for its gothic cabinet design, providing more presence and being a staple of British rock bands.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • A Leslie speaker, especially models like 122 or 147, is crucial for capturing the classic Hammond sound with its rotating horn and rotor.

    Source
  • Original 82-tone generators in early CVs can be identified by a blank section on the terminal strip and produce different bass tones compared to 91-tone generators.

    Source
  • An early CV cabinet may include a wooden line box, wooden expression pedal, and unique woodwork, indicating its pre-1947 origins.

    Source
  • The A-100 model includes internal speakers and reverb, offering more versatility than the C-3 and B-3, which have identical sounds but different cabinets.

    Source

Setup and maintenance

  • If the startup motor grinds, letting it sit with Hammond oil and holding a chord while spinning the motor can help alleviate the issue.

    Source
  • Regular maintenance includes oiling the organ annually with Hammond oil, essential for the tonewheel generator's longevity.

    Source
  • Properly securing the generator's T-screws is crucial when moving the organ to avoid catastrophic damage.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • Some owners replace a traditional Leslie 122 with a Leslie pedal for direct recording, finding the tone satisfactory when paired with quality monitors.

    Source

Comparisons

  • The A-100 preamp features two .03uf disc capacitors for enhanced bass, unlike the .02uf caps found in B-3/C-3 preamps.

    Source
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5.0 out of 5

Based on 4 Reviews and 8 Ratings

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organ_fury

The ultimate organ sound

If you are looking for a real organ sound and not a bad synth imitation, this organ is made for you. Like Hammond said: "The sound, the soul, the one"

norm_hartendorp

Hammond C-3 with Leslie 122

Had this through the 70s with my old band

jimmarchi1

the church version, right on!

bluesboyrules

a must.

can't beat it! B3, C3 and A100 (my fave) are organist's best friends ;)

Artist usage

Add artist
See how Chris Tomlin uses Hammond C-3

Chris Tomlin

Singer, Guitarist

Chris Tomlin Band

...
Verified via YouTube

In a YouTube video titled "Piano & Keys Gear - Matt Gilder (of the Chris Tomlin Band)," Matt Gilder is shown using a Hammond C-3 organ as part of the Chris Tomlin Band's setup.

See how Jack Conte uses Hammond C-3

Jack Conte

Guitarist, Music Producer

Scary Pockets

...
Verified via YouTube

Jack Conte can be seen using a Hammond C3 organ in this Pomplamoose music video. He also mentions the organ on the gear page of his official website and estimates it must date back to around 1967.

See how Jonathan Cain uses Hammond C-3

Jonathan Cain

Singer, Guitarist

Mark Knopfler’s Guitar Heroes

...
Verified via Kformusicians

Jonathan Cain uses a Hammond C-3, as noted on K for Musicians.

See how Adam Wakeman uses Hammond C-3

Adam Wakeman

Guitarist, Keyboardist

Black Sabbath

...
Verified via Photo

In an Instagram post, Adam Wakeman shares a photo of himself recording with his favorite piece of vintage equipment, the Hammond C-3 organ.

See how Woody Goss uses Hammond C-3

Woody Goss

Keyboardist, Composer

Vulfpeck

...
Verified via Getty Images

Goss (left) performing on the Panhandle Stage during the 2016 Outside Lands Music And Arts Festival at Golden Gate Park on August 5, 2016 in San Francisco, California.

See how Neal Morse uses Hammond C-3

Neal Morse

Singer, Guitarist

Flying Colors

...
Verified via Radiantrecords

Neal uses the Hammond C3 in his own studio.

See how Benmont Tench uses Hammond C-3

Benmont Tench

Keyboardist

Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers

...
Verified via Thepettyarchives

Mentioned in this March 1983 Musician article.

Benmont Tench surrounds himself with: Hammond C3, Keyboard Products Leslie, Wurlitzer piano, ARP String Ensemble, Oberheim OBX-A (Petty has one of these, too).

Tench gives more details on the C3 in this May 2017 KeyboardMag article.

What kind of Leslie are you using with your Hammond C3 organ these days?

[Famed keyboard restoration expert] Bill Beer modified my Leslie and my Hammond, close to 40 years ago. It was magic stuff. But when he passed away, he took all of his secrets with him. The Leslie deteriorated, and the Hammond changed. My friend Ken Rich – who’s a brilliant keyboard tech wizard, restored the Hammond his way, but he still kept a lot of what I liked about what Bill had done. He also worked on the Leslie, but it never quite got back to where it needed to be. It was a Solid State model, so I switched to a tube version. And it was great – I used it for the last 15 years or so. But every time I heard “Refugee” or “The Waiting” on the radio, I heard how the Leslie and the guitars co-existed with each other. It’s like the Hammond was loud, but it didn’t take any room away from the guitars. So I went back to Ken, and now I have that Hammond and Leslie combo from Damn the Torpedoes. It’s the closest it’s been since then. The way it rings with the guitars is a real joy.

You’re known to have a real penchant for effects pedals. Don’t you have an effects loop on your Hammond?

Yeah. Bill Beer put that in. I didn’t know there was an effects loop in it. I thought there was a “direct out,” and then I thought that there was a “line in” in case I wanted to run the keyboard that was sitting on top of the Hammond into the Leslie as well. After I had it for about 10 or 12 years, I did a session with The Cult. Someone said, “This Leslie sounds so clean, can you distort it?” And I said, "I don’t think so." And they looked at my Hammond and said, “Oh, you’ve got an effects loop. Let’s get a fuzz pedal!” I was like, “What?” And I was off to the races. I started out with a little Turbo Fuzz, that I also used on a song on the album All Shook Down by The Replacements. Over the years, I’ve tried other things as well. I have a couple of pedals by Line 6, and Ryan Adams, God bless him, gave me a couple of Electro-Harmonix pedals like the Memory Man and the Electric Mistress flange pedal. I also have a tremolo pedal and a turbo boost as well. These are all for the Hammond, and I also use the spring reverb that’s built into it as well. Ever since I got this organ back around 1977, I’ve used this reverb. It gentles it up. Nobody can do what [Band keyboardist] Garth Hudson does. However, there are settings on that Lowrey organ he plays where the attack is a little softer. And that changes the effect of how you play. So I find that using things like the Electro-Harmonix pedals allows me to soften the attack. It’s fun. I even have a Line 6 modulation pedal on the DX7 to give it a little bit of chorus. That makes it tolerable. I also sometimes run my Vox Continental through a Leslie simulator.

The C3 is also mentioned in this February 2014 Reverb.com interview.

My favorite is my Hammond C3 organ that I got in 1978. I have one in my house, but this was the first Hammond I ever owned and it’s been on every Heartbreakers record but the first two, and on every tour we’ve ever done since ’78. A guy named Bill Beer modified it, and he was secretive. When he passed away I went to have it serviced, but Bill had wiped out a lot of the serial numbers and disguised the parts, so you couldn’t quite trace what he did to it. It’s on “Refugee” and everything else. It’s just a beautiful sounding instrument and it’s the favorite thing that I play.

See how Patrick Moraz uses Hammond C-3

Patrick Moraz

Keyboardist

Yes

...
Verified via Photo

Towards the lower part of this page, a tour program featuring Moraz' gear states he used a Hammond C3.

See how Steve Walsh uses Hammond C-3

Steve Walsh

Singer, Keyboardist

Kansas

...
Verified via Photo

Attached is a picture of Steve playing his C-3 in the studio.

See how Kerry Minnear uses Hammond C-3

Kerry Minnear

Keyboardist

Gentle Giant

...
Verified via Gentlegiantmusic

On the official Gentle Giant website, there is a list of all instruments played by every band member of this amazing band.

See how Eddie Jobson uses Hammond C-3

Eddie Jobson

Keyboardist, Composer

Yes

...
Verified via Photo

On his right hand in this photo he's playing a Hammond C3

See how Gregg Rolie uses Hammond C-3

Gregg Rolie

Singer, Keyboardist

Journey

...
Verified via YouTube

In this video, Rolie can be seen playing a Hammond C-3 organ with Santana in 1971.

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Hammond C-3, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

Hohner Clavinet D6
Hohner Clavinet D6 Vintage & Electric Pianos
4
Oberheim OB-Xa
Oberheim OB-Xa Synthesizers
2
Roland D-50
Roland D-50 Synthesizers
2
Roland MKS-80 Super Jupiter
Roland MKS-80 Super Jupiter Synthesizers & Sound Modules
2
Yamaha CS-80
Yamaha CS-80 Synthesizers
2
Leslie 122RV
Leslie 122RV Amplifiers
2
Leslie 122 Speaker Cabinet
Leslie 122 Speaker Cabinet Keyboard Amplifiers
2

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