Customized Hammond "Tarkus" C3 with chrome stand
On loan to The Met
This work of art is currently on loan to the museum.The Hammond electronic organ was introduced in 1935. The instrument used tonewheels (spinning disks) with magnetic pickups to produce pure tones that could be combined to make complex sounds through a system of drawbars. African American churches in the Chicago area were among the first to adopt Hammond organs, which were far less costly than traditional pipe organs. The instrument later became a cornerstone of small jazz combos. In 1959, singer and keyboardist David “Baby” Cortez played a Hammond on the hit song “The Happy Organ.” The organ has since been used by many rock bands. Keith Emerson played this Hammond C-3 organ on Emerson, Lake and Palmer’s influential 1971 album Tarkus and toured with it extensively.
Technical Description:
Two 61-key manuals, drawbar tone selection, volume pedal; modified with additional percussion, chorus, and reverb effects, painted black with “Goff Professional” in gold, lower case removed, chrome stand added
Technical Description:
Two 61-key manuals, drawbar tone selection, volume pedal; modified with additional percussion, chorus, and reverb effects, painted black with “Goff Professional” in gold, lower case removed, chrome stand added
Artwork Details
- Title: Customized Hammond "Tarkus" C3 with chrome stand
- Artist: Hammond Organ Company
- Artist: Keith Emerson
- Restorer/Conservator: GOFF Professional
- Date: ca. 1968
- Medium: Wood, metal, plastic
- Dimensions: Height: ~50 in. (127 cm)
Width: 48 in. (122 cm)
Depth: 29 in. (74 cm)
Weight: ~310 - 450 lbs (141-204 kg) - Classification: Electrophone
- Credit Line: Courtesy of the Electronic Music Education and Preservation Project (EMEAPP)
- Curatorial Department: Musical Instruments