What Makes Hammond the Ideal Church Organ?
Updated: Jan 23, 2019
Most Hammond organs are between 35 to 80 years old and typically weigh around 300 pounds. So why is this the organ you should choose for your congregation? Don’t let its age deter you; it actually translates to a higher quality of craftsmanship that is being lost with today’s current models. The quality in terms of mechanics alone is superior than anything coming out today.
There’s a reason that Hammond organs are still being played worldwide and have held their place as the standard for gospel music.
A Brief History of the Hammond Organ
The Hammond organ was invented by Laurens Hammond and John M. Hanert and was first manufactured in 1935. Now if that seems like a long time ago, keep in mind that the concept of the organ originated in Egypt by the Greek inventor Ctesibius, all the way back in 246 BC. The organ began to make its way into churches around 900 AD, and there’s been no looking back since.
The Hammond isn’t only found in churches; it has a long history of being used by jazz and progressive rock musicians. That’s a pretty great testament to the fact that the Hammond organ is a sound choice for entertaining large audiences.
Why is the Hammond Organ Such a Perfect Fit for Your Church?
Church is commonly associated with images of silent prayer and being hushed if you’re too loud during a service. Well, as most of us already know, that’s just not the case. Church is full of enthusiasm and joy; it’s the celebration of being able to worship together and praise God. So why would that not create some excitement? Being able to sing and move is part of the way we can express our gratitude and joy, and we need an instrument that can keep up!
The Hammond can not only keep up, it can take over. It is faster than a pipe organ and can keep a beat without a drum set. The Hammond organ may look as though it would be a slow instrument with its heavy exterior, but that couldn’t be further from the truth.
The Hammond organ is not only fast, it’s versatile. It can manipulate sounds hundreds of ways and because of its unique drawbars, the combinations are practically infinite.
It’s also reliable. The Hammond organ has been around for so many years because it works. You don’t ever have to worry about your Hammond needing to be replaced. If a maintenance issue does occur, it is very likely it can be repaired.
Finding the Right Hammond Model for Your Congregation
There’s a lot of Hammond models out there so which one is right for your congregation? The B3 and the C3 have proven to be exemplary church organs. The Hammond C3 is considered to be the sister of the B3. They are identical in nearly every operational way and the differences are slight and largely cosmetic.
The Hammond B3 is lighter in weight because unlike the C3, it doesn’t have the same extensive wooden frame which surrounds the bass of the organ. The Hammond B3 is typically easier to find in the United States, while the C3 is more common in Europe. The console fittings of the cabinets also vary slightly between the two, with the B3 sloping upwards and the C3 sloping gently downwards. You really can’t go wrong with either.
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Purchasing an organ for your church is a big decision. You want an instrument that can stand the test of time; one that you can invest in. You also want one that can keep up with your congregation. And that sounds like a Hammond.
Please reach out to us if you have any questions. We will happily help with any repairs and restoration.
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