Hammond D(V) D20 tone cabinet

A simple beast with classic tone. Made between 1939 and 1942 i think for churches. The present manuals sound fine but like all these old consoles, you can open up the back and adjust the presets how you want them with a screw driver. If you know your way around a hammond organ it straight forward.

This model D has been converted to a DV for vibrato and the vibrato has three settings all of which have their respective tone qualities. The only problem with a DV is that now any add- ons from companies like TrekII are a pain because of the way the preamp is modeled. Its tube preamp necessitates the D20 tone cabinet. If one wants say a leslie, they could daisy-chain it off the D20 and not be able to control the motors, but to have just the leslie requires some hardwiring and a kit. Or if you want TrekII components, say an effects loop or reverb, the vibrato installation already takes up that space, and/or you have to install a new preamp which is most likely a solidstate made by TrekII. there are ways around it, but the bottom line, the preamp is a little tricky to deal with.

Great old tonewheel power. There are sweetspots, that is, notes that are slightly hotter on the keyboard which makes for interesting playing, but i think that's a quality of all the old hammonds. The vibrato affects all keys including bass. Other hammonds like the B3 have the ability for specific effects to be added to different parts of the organ. no velocity or aftertouch on the keys, it a tonewheel.

I got it from a church for free. It was filthy, but I washed it down and vacuumed and polished it and the tubes are still burning hot. It's loud and all keys work. This thing was built like tank. One of the best free things I've scored. i'm sure it was serviced over the years, but all parts seem to be original. the tubes may of been replaced of course because there is a 5u4g or something different from what the stats say it should have in the rectifier? anyway, it's running strong after 60+ years.

I use local hammond people who've been doing repairs for years. never contacted the new company.

For what it is, this organ is wonderful. I would trade it for a b3 and 122 leslie, but who wouldn't. as for now though, it makes me happy every time i play it and i keep learning new things each day on it. it needs a leslie. it would be better if you could separate the effects for each manual of keys and bass pedals. the preamp doesn't provide upgrades easily. if someone will give you one of these, Take It.