For the record, Hammond Suzuki USA does not rebuild old Hammond organs such as the B-3, C-3 or any other Tonewheel Hammond. Should someone tell you that they have talked to "The Factory" about purchasing or having a Tonewheel Hammond Organ rebuilt at The Factory, they didn't talk or deal with Hammond Suzuki USA.

Unfortunately, some repair businesses mislead the consumer by saying that they are a "Factory" thus giving them the impression that they are the Hammond Factory when in fact, they are not. Any consumer should be very wary of this when the word "factory" is used.

Someone stating that they have worked for the Hammond Factory, that they rebuild or restore to "like new" or "near factory new condition" is far different than saying that they are "The Factory". In addition, it's pretty easy to check out someone who says that they have worked for the Hammond Factory. Call Hammond Suzuki USA at (630) 543-0277 and ask them.

There are also two reasons why a consumer cannot really buy a factory rebuilt Tonewheel Hammond, and they are as follows:

1. The Hammond Organ Company destroyed most, if not all of the tooling to make Tonewheel organ parts. This would include tonewheels, vibrato/chorus scanners, tonewheel chaises, pre-amp housings, key channels, contact assembles, and the keys themselves.
2. New replacement parts availability for older organs is getting smaller and smaller and therefore, harder to locate.

One additional item to be aware of is people using words like "Gone Over." This is not rebuilding or restoring. It usually means that the very minimum has been done to the instrument. In the industry it's referred to as a "blow out," someone blows out the dust and sells it.

If you are going to purchase or have a vintage Hammond restored or rebuilt. . . PLEASE! GET AN SIGNED, ITEMIZED LIST OF WHAT HAS BEEN DONE TO THE INSTRUMENT. DON'T TAKE ANYONE'S WORD AS TO WHAT HAS BEEN DONE TO IT.

IF YOU DON'T GET IT IN WRITING THEN,
"BUYER BEWARE!!!!"

We know of a church that paid over $4,000.00 to have someone, (not the Hammond Organ Center), rebuild their organ. After they got the organ back they found out that "only" the scanner was cleaned.

We hope that this is some help! Download our FREE PDF Brochure "How To Buy a Vintage Tonewheel Hammond Organ "Free Brochure."

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