HAMMOND check-out procedure

["Spence, Colin" <cspence@nelson.env.gov.bc.ca>]

Al Goff writes:
>>Generally,  I look at the overall cabinet first as a good indication of
the organ's function in life up until now.  If it's in poor shape, with
missing wooden parts, broken keys, etc., and the seller is insisting that 
his
Mom used it only in her home for church practice, RUN, do not walk toward 
the
door.   But if the cabinet is in very good to excellent shape, has the 
origina
l music rack, bench, pedals, and the finish looks like a fine piece of
furniture, THEN I start the test procedure.<<

Al,

This makes so much sense - heed this advice y'all.  When I bought my Leslie 
145 it was beat pretty bad and I figured, what the hell, if it seems fine 
sonically and mechanically - got for it.  WRONG.  Anything that looks beat 
up has been through the mill.  Its probably been repaired by God knows who - 
who may or may not have known what was going on.  Then there is the overall 
wear and tear from moving.  I have been in repair mode ever since and have 
now paid far more to get the thing in shape than I would have ever paid for 
a mint 122.  Thank goodness the motors seem to be OK but I wonder when they 
are going to fry!

Colin Spence
cspence@nelson.env.gov.bc.ca