How to date your Hammond Console

I’ve compiled a list from  information available on the internet that may help date a Hammond console (A-100, C3, B3, D-100, RT-3)

1958 – Vibrato line box changed from wood to metal

1960 – Side blocks change from wood to plastic

1961 – Pilot lamp added

1962 – Vibrato knob changed from smooth to ribbed (‘fluted’)

Mid-1962 – AO28 transformer colour change from silver to black

Spring 1964 –  Start of using red caps

1965 – Hammond script changed from small to large with new logo

1965 – Foam replaces felt

1965 – Introduction of R/C (resistor/capacitor) networks to tones 37-48 to reduce hum and crosstalk

1969 – Drawbar plastic knob style change to have engraved tones

Additional information can be gleaned from the components in the organ. Speakers (A-100 series) are usually stamped with a production date; the same applies for tubes / valves as well as capacitors.