From djacques@csulb.edu Fri Jul 18 13:31:40 2003
Subject:RE: My crazy collection

Thanks for all the comments...

I am very lucky.

The collection started about 15 years ago when I decided to buy a B3
from the guy in Dallas who was running from the IRS. I had that 1963 for
about ten years when I had the opportunity to purchase the 1961 from a
lead from the Hammond Tech list. A tech (I don't remember who) said that
he had a customer in Santa Ana who was selling her B3 and tone cabinet
for $1500. She said that she did not have a cable for the Leslie. I
looked up an old Hammond tech from LA and bought a cable from him. I
went to her house, hooked up the cable, and it was still not
functioning. It was also very dirty and she said she got it from a
church. I told her that since it was non-functioning that I would not
purchase it. She told me she would sell it to me for $600. I thought
that it was a good bet and at least the cabinet was worth that amount. I
took it home, changed out the tubes, and voila! I feel a bit guilty
about that one.

The next day the old tech called me and asked me if I bought the organ.
When I told him I did he said "too bad", because he just found the 1955
in Beverly Hills that they were selling with the Leslie for $700. It was
an estate sale and Sotherby's would not deal with an electronic organ.
HAS set in and I told him that I would buy that one too. Now that was a
steal.

About two months ago a bass player friend asked me if I could check out
a B3 in some "old woman's house". I went and saw my latest acquisition,
the 1956. You will be happy to know that I paid a fair price for that
one, $2600. She gave it to her husband for a XMas present and it stood
in a living room since 1956. Unfortunately one side faced a sliding
glass door, therefore completely bleaching that side out. Otherwise its
in incredible condition and plays similar to my 1955.

The Leslies all came via Ebay and private owners. I always paid fair
value for them. It seems that its harder to find a Leslie than a B3
nowadays.

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