Hammond M102 + Leslie 147 - Connect an effect pedals chain

[HeaD]

Hey everybody,

a friend of mine got an Hammond M102 that is connected to a Leslie 147 through this device:

http://www.fishorgans.com/leslie_kits/008010_kit_for_Hammond.pdf

We'd like to experiment connecting some effect pedals (standard Boss stompboxes) between the M-100 and the Leslie. Does anyone know an easy way to do this? Is there any box or device which can add a send return loop or something like that?

Thank you,

[guylavoie]

I know this is an old thread, and won't help the original poster, but as a general response to those who may be doing a search: A Leslie 147 (or 145) has a speaker level input. This Leslie model is known as the "universal" model since it is meant for any organ that has built in speakers. The Leslie kit (typically kit #012617) installation procedure has you cut the wire going from the organ's amplifier to the organ's speakers, routing the signal through the "Echo/Ensemble/Main" switch where the speaker signal can be sent to the Leslie, both, or back to just the organ speakers. The Leslie's amplifier has a switch that allows you to present an 8 ohm, 16 ohm, or open load to the organ's amplifier. This is mainly because some organs (like Hammond L and M series) have tube amplifiers and always needs a load (speaker or resistor) to avoid possible damage.

So to answer the original question: you need to bring the speaker level signal back down to line or instrument level. A "direct box" with a speaker level input will do, though these boxes typically only have balanced mike level outputs, not a line out. Then through whatever effect box you want to add, and finally amplified again to speaker level to go into the Leslie. Since the Leslie can put in a high impedance input mode, this doesn't need to be a powerful amplifier, just a few watts will do.

With all that said...some Hammonds *will* have a line level connector between the organ's tone generation section and it's power amplifier. This makes it a whole lot easier. Your effects pedal would connect right there between the two. This Youtube video shows where it is located on a L-100 organ (for connecting a Motion Sound rotary speaker):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rQA8aNVAmkg