Modified Hammond L-100
On loan to The Met
This work of art is currently on loan to the museum.This Hammond L-100 organ was Keith Emerson's stunt instrument. During improvisations, he would stick knives between its keys to hold down notes, jump on it, and pull it on top of himself. His technicians specially modified the L-100 to withstand these destructive performances and also added pitch-bending capabilities. The organ was retired after it burst into flames during a performance.
Technical Description:
Two 44-key manuals, 13-note pedalboard, expression pedal; harmonic drawbars for tone selection, 17 control tabs for presets, vibrato, reverb, volume, and percussion, built-in reverb tank and tube preamp; modified for chorus and pitch bending effects
Technical Description:
Two 44-key manuals, 13-note pedalboard, expression pedal; harmonic drawbars for tone selection, 17 control tabs for presets, vibrato, reverb, volume, and percussion, built-in reverb tank and tube preamp; modified for chorus and pitch bending effects
Artwork Details
- Title: Modified Hammond L-100
- Artist: Hammond Organ Company
- Artist: Keith Emerson
- Date: ca. 1960s
- Medium: Wood, metal, plastic
- Dimensions: Height: ~44 1/2 in. (113 cm)
Width: ~43 1/2 in. (110.5 cm)
Depth: 23 in. (58.42 cm)
Weight: !215 lbs. (97.5 kg) - Classification: Electrophone
- Credit Line: Courtesy of the Electronic Music Education and Preservation Project (EMEAPP)
- Curatorial Department: Musical Instruments