Pricing and availability
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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
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What makes the Hammond C-3 different from the B-3 model?
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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.
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Does the Hammond C-3 require a Leslie speaker for optimal sound?
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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.
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How many keys does the Hammond C-3 have, and what is the key action like?
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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.
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Is the Hammond C-3 suitable for live performances?
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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.
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What is the primary sound characteristic of the Hammond C-3?
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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.
Videos
GigiAO28
Hammond C3 Beast sound (Jon Lord - Deep Purple)
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
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Some C-3 models have been retrofitted with a 3-series preamp, providing full 3-series functionality via cheekblock switches.
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It's possible to modify a 6-pin Leslie connector to a 9-pin for better compatibility with different Leslie models.
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Modifications may include replacing the matching transformer with a dual transformer from a 2 or 3 series model to enable selectable vibrato.
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Value and pricing
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A PR-40 tone cabinet may require only minimal investment compared to a Leslie, providing an interim solution for new Hammond C-3 owners.
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User experience
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Reconing old speakers is an option, but costs might match purchasing new ones, making replacement a practical consideration.
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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.
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Despite advances in digital emulations, the physical experience and sound of a real Hammond console remain unmatched for many organists.
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The C-3 is preferred for its gothic cabinet design, providing more presence and being a staple of British rock bands.
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Features and functionality
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A Leslie speaker, especially models like 122 or 147, is crucial for capturing the classic Hammond sound with its rotating horn and rotor.
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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.
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An early CV cabinet may include a wooden line box, wooden expression pedal, and unique woodwork, indicating its pre-1947 origins.
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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.
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Setup and maintenance
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If the startup motor grinds, letting it sit with Hammond oil and holding a chord while spinning the motor can help alleviate the issue.
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Regular maintenance includes oiling the organ annually with Hammond oil, essential for the tonewheel generator's longevity.
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Properly securing the generator's T-screws is crucial when moving the organ to avoid catastrophic damage.
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Use cases and applications
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Some owners replace a traditional Leslie 122 with a Leslie pedal for direct recording, finding the tone satisfactory when paired with quality monitors.
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5.0 out of 5
Based on 4 Reviews and 8 Ratings
94
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"
41029
the church version, right on!
Artist usage
Add artist
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.
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.
In an Instagram post, Adam Wakeman shares a photo of himself recording with his favorite piece of vintage equipment, the Hammond C-3 organ.
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.
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.
Towards the lower part of this page, a tour program featuring Moraz' gear states he used a Hammond C3.
On the official Gentle Giant website, there is a list of all instruments played by every band member of this amazing band.
Album Usage
The Hammond C-3 has been featured on the following albums:
Dragons and Wizards
Eloy Fritsch (2025)
Parsifal - L'uomo delle stelle
Roby Facchinetti (2025)
Starship Trooper
Rick Wakeman (2016)
The Complete BBC Sessions (Remastered)
Led Zeppelin (2016)
Figure 8
Elliott Smith (2000)
XO
Elliott Smith (1998)
Godbluff
Van der Graaf Generator (1975)
The Six Wives Of Henry VIII
Rick Wakeman (1973)
Led Zeppelin III (Remaster)
Led Zeppelin (1970)
Atomic Rooster
Atomic Rooster (1970)
Led Zeppelin II (Remaster)
Led Zeppelin (1969)
Genre Usage
Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.
Used With
Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Hammond C-3, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
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