Hi Dennis. That's interesting. I would have thought that there might have been one or two still around back then. I think that for a lot of them the field coil speakers probably packed in and that they just upgraded post-war to the later PR40 cabinets etc. I have never seen another one in the UK. This could just be the only survivor. I was amazed it still worked!
The D-20 DR-20 (Reverb and More Vacuum Tubes) DXR-20 (Reverb, Tremulant Rotor) with the same vacuum tube compliment in the beginning had the amplifier in an enclosed cabinet. Sort of a Band-Pass Cabinet. The open back cabinets are sort of considered "infinite baffle" The DR-20/DXR-20 not only had the same compliment of vacuum tubes as the A20 but it also had a 5 vacuum tube reverb pre-amplifier section.
This A20 sounds great. The amp looks just like the one in my bone stock ER-20, but the ER-20 has another chassis in the lower for the reverb feed, but oddly it's post speaker out, or so it appears. I sure could use a schematic of the ER20. .
Seems like the only times I DON'T look at Craigslist there is a hot Hammond or Leslie deal that I miss. If the dude in Columbus who happens to get the one that apparently went up earlier gets it, make a video so we can see/hear it in action...unless you already got it sold off LOL.-Paul
I got a very nice original and fully operational w/ no hum, ER-20 recently. Also came with an HR-40 and a Leslie 31H and a 52' Hammond RT-2 organ. The organ has a bad power transformer. Why Hammond didn't fuse these transformers is baffling. Especially as late as 1952! The transformer was seriously cooked. I paid $500 for all of this and even got a rare Stromberg Carlson Carillon in the deal and it's equally rare SC published book and a bench full of music. Major score. I'll scan the SC manual:)
It sounds very nice compared to the more popular C3 model of later times. If not the attack, the sound would be close to that of real organ. With add-on digital reverb would be even closer. Better sound is most likely due to 2A3 power triodes and choke input power supply with all oil capacitors. The first A20 amplifiers were fitted with electrolytic capacitors and had only one choke, but beginning from ~ serial #1500, those were replaced with oil capacitor block, and an extra choke was added. About 1939-40 2A3 triodes were replaced with 6V6 pentodes, not nearly as good in sound quality as 2A3s.
My Hammond A20 tone cabinet is missing (unfortunately) the amplifier, I am looking for the voltage/amperage required to run the field coil 12" Jensen speakers. Can you help me. thank you. Bernard
Not as loud or as deep in the bass. as a PR40... and no reverb. It was very basic but by the standard of the day it must have been an amazing thing back in 1935.
We have the B40 cabinet crop up more commonly over here (although what I mean by commonly is actually quite rare!). Same spec I think but different cabinet. A friend and fellow Hammond tech is currently restoring one. I'll see if I can get him to post a video when he's finished. Do you get many A20 cabinets over in the States? I have never seen another one in the UK.
Theroux: Send me a message with your email address and I can send a schematic for the ER20 power amp serial no range 27001-28709, and also reverb preamp serial 27485 and below. The schematic for the latter notes that sometimes reverb was added afterwards. Let me know if any use.
U.K. here. l have been into Hammond since 1963. Never heard/seen one of these. Thanks for the show. A nice bright and click on the tone.
Hi Dennis. That's interesting. I would have thought that there might have been one or two still around back then. I think that for a lot of them the field coil speakers probably packed in and that they just upgraded post-war to the later PR40 cabinets etc. I have never seen another one in the UK. This could just be the only survivor. I was amazed it still worked!
I have an A20 as well paired with serial number 36 Model A. I love your videos. Thanks for sharing.
Honestly, this sounds amazing!
The D-20 DR-20 (Reverb and More Vacuum Tubes) DXR-20 (Reverb, Tremulant Rotor) with the same vacuum tube compliment in the beginning had the amplifier in an enclosed cabinet. Sort of a Band-Pass Cabinet. The open back cabinets are sort of considered "infinite baffle" The DR-20/DXR-20 not only had the same compliment of vacuum tubes as the A20 but it also had a 5 vacuum tube reverb pre-amplifier section.
Since you have a model AB it would be easier to add for example a TrekII trekii.com/ Percussive Harmonic accessory.
Thanks.... its a nice thing to have and play through.
I have the same amplifier sounds good
This A20 sounds great.
The amp looks just like the one in my bone stock ER-20, but the ER-20 has another chassis in the lower for the reverb feed, but oddly it's post speaker out, or so it appears. I sure could use a schematic of the ER20.
.
Sadly, I'm in the States. Hopefully soon I'll put up a vid of my A.
Seems like the only times I DON'T look at Craigslist there is a hot Hammond or Leslie deal that I miss. If the dude in Columbus who happens to get the one that apparently went up earlier gets it, make a video so we can see/hear it in action...unless you already got it sold off LOL.-Paul
Part of the destination in the Drawbars is the "Rachet" action of this vintage (BCV owner).
I got a very nice original and fully operational w/ no hum, ER-20 recently. Also came with an HR-40 and a Leslie 31H and a 52' Hammond RT-2 organ. The organ has a bad power transformer. Why Hammond didn't fuse these transformers is baffling. Especially as late as 1952! The transformer was seriously cooked. I paid $500 for all of this and even got a rare Stromberg Carlson Carillon in the deal and it's equally rare SC published book and a bench full of music. Major score. I'll scan the SC manual:)
It sounds very nice compared to the more popular C3 model of later times. If not the attack, the sound would be close to that of real organ. With add-on digital reverb would be even closer. Better sound is most likely due to 2A3 power triodes and choke input power supply with all oil capacitors. The first A20 amplifiers were fitted with electrolytic capacitors and had only one choke, but beginning from ~ serial #1500, those were replaced with oil capacitor block, and an extra choke was added. About 1939-40 2A3 triodes were replaced with 6V6 pentodes, not nearly as good in sound quality as 2A3s.
My Hammond A20 tone cabinet is missing (unfortunately) the amplifier, I am looking for the voltage/amperage required to run the field coil 12" Jensen speakers. Can you help me. thank you. Bernard
Not as loud or as deep in the bass. as a PR40... and no reverb. It was very basic but by the standard of the day it must have been an amazing thing back in 1935.
We have the B40 cabinet crop up more commonly over here (although what I mean by commonly is actually quite rare!). Same spec I think but different cabinet. A friend and fellow Hammond tech is currently restoring one. I'll see if I can get him to post a video when he's finished.
Do you get many A20 cabinets over in the States? I have never seen another one in the UK.
How would you compare it to a PR-40 or a JR-20 in regard to tone & output?
Where can I buy a cord
I have one any idea what is worth
They are rare so it depends on how much someone wants one, I guess.
Are you in the States or this side of the pond??
Theroux: Send me a message with your email address and I can send a schematic for the ER20 power amp serial no range 27001-28709, and also reverb preamp serial 27485 and below. The schematic for the latter notes that sometimes reverb was added afterwards. Let me know if any use.