Hammond B3 / C3 Percussion zap quick fix
HTML-код
- Опубликовано: 6 сен 2024
- PLEASE READ: Here is a video demonstrating the procedure for ’zapping’ a Hammond C3 organ percussion.
The symptoms are a non-decaying, continuous percussion tone instead of a fully decaying tone.
The issue is commonly related to short circuits caused by zinc dendrites in the percussion switch assembly or the busbars (in particular the ninth 1 inch busbar).
Google for a more technical explanation of dendrites. Even NASA had this issue.
The idea here is to use low voltage DC to burn off (‘zap’) the zinc dendrite shorts and thereby get the percussion working again. It’s a quick fix and not really a long term solution. It does not always work, in which case further investigation in the pre-amp may be required. Best practice is to dissemble all relevant parts, clean and clear coat to prevent recurrence.
NOTE: I am not a qualified Hammond technician, this technique was explained to me online. Since it only applies low voltage (18 Volts DC) it is relatively safe. However, please note that even 18 volts can potentially cause damage to other components in the organ if you are not careful.
IMPORTANT: Note that the organ was unplugged from the mains for this procedure.
DISCLAIMER: There are potentially dangerous high voltage components present inside Hammond organs. DO NOT attempt this or any other repairs inside the organ unless you fully understand what you are doing. Call a professional tech if you don’t know, seriously! There may still be lethal voltages present even when the organ is unplugged.
The sound near the end is a little bit distorted. This is not an issue the organ, it sounds fine here. Problem is my phone's audio recording quality is pretty crap ;-)
Après avec nettoyé directement les quatre interrupteurs de la section Percussion, avoir vérifié les lampes 12AU7 et les deux 6C4, j'ai du prendre un grand respire et essayé cette procédure. Le soleil est revenu dans ma vie. J'ai à nouveau des percussions sur ma C3, 1961. Henrik, un gros MERCI pour ces informations.
I'm very happy to hear that this worked for you. As I mentioned, it is a quick fix and should be okay for a while, but at some stage you could maybe consider cleaning the inside of the percussion switch box which is a more permanent repair. Enjoy the percussion.... I would definitely miss it too :)
Thank you so much, Henrik! Worked like a charm, first time! I read about how hard it is o really clean the switches, no thanks! Zap the zinc hairs!
I just traded this on my 56 RT3, worked like a charm! On mine, the percussion would play on the first note and that is it. This totally fixed itThank you so much for the video!
Glad that this worked out fine for you. Anyway, I'd recommend to check the percussion decay potentiometer (the one at the AO-28's back, next to the unshielded tubes) adjustment first.
I have this same exact problem with my B-3. I’m going to try this and if it works I’ll get back and thank you after I get done playing to celebrate! 🙏🏻
THANK YOU! I HAVE THE EXACT ISSUE WITH MY 1971 B3 AND I AM GONNA DO THIS PROCESS. THANK YOU!
Good luck, I hope it works for you. Let us know
I need to find the contact points to do this for my M-3
Love organ Hammond !
And now it works! Thank you so much!
Hey it worked for me here too!
The person who figured that out is a genius. lol
Just lost my percussion on A100. Think I will have to try this. Thanks!
Thanks for making that video, I also have a percussion problem and could localize the problem in a short in the percussion switch. If this works it saves me alot of time and work. Thanks
Amazing, I tried it today. As I already found the problem in a short in the percussion ON/OFF switch I only zapped the white wire. It worked fantastic, Percussion is back. I learned alot :D
Did you have the main Hammond power cable unplugged while doing this? I tried this and it didn’t work for me sadly but I did see sparks as I was touching the wires and wire connection. Cheers, thanks for sharing!
Same color wires on an M3. I wonder if that is the same. I would think so. Looks like all 3 go to the same draw bars.
Bob Baisden I’m looking to zap my M3. Can you provide any specific info for the M3? Thanks
@@fmbeaumont100 There are several websites dedicated to Hammonds with tone generators.. www.scribd.com/doc/106139466/Hammond-M-M2-M3-M100-Organ-Service-Manual
www.captain-foldback.com/Hammond_sub/hammond_schematics.htm
ssl.tonewheelgeneral.com/agelist/agelist.php
www.dairiki.org/HammondWiki/HomePage
Also there are several other RUclips video's showing how to Zap the vibrato scanner here on RUclips just do a "Vibrato Scanner" search.
Even after you ZAP the scanner, the oil that was thrown off the elements inside the scanner remains at the bottom of the scanner. If there is enough oil in the scanner you are really just trying to see if it will work temporarily. Best thing to do is take it all apart and clean it. If there is just a little oil in the scanner then you probably will work. If you take the scanner apart, be sure to get the oil wicks back the same.
@@fmbeaumont100 Did you zap the M3? How did it go?
What a load of rubbish as if this will work on my A 100 ha
So I tried it
And it actually worked can’t believe that actually worked but it did
Thanks for posting
I know, it seems crazy that putting a few volts electricity through the percussion circuit will burn off zinc hairs and fix it, but it really does work, but not in all cases. Problems with the pre-amp perc circuit or tubes can't be fixed with the zap trick. I've found that the zap trick is good for the switch assembly and shorting K terminal, but usually the problem will re-occur after some time, and the correct long term solution is to clean the switch assembly and service the pre-amp as required. Thanks for watching, glad it worked for you!