The instrument
All models in the T-200 series were available from January 1968. Later there was an update with the model designation T-200-1 . Drum effects were added for the pedals and for the lower keyboard, as well as push buttons for ‘drumming’. The T-200-2 was given an automatic rhythm unit.
The T-200 has two manuals with 44 keys for 3½ octaves each and a bass pedal with 13 keys, 30 register switches, drawbars for each keyboard and the pedal. A mechanical Leslie is built into the base of the case. In contrast to earlier Hammond models, the amplifier of the T series works with transistors. The organ has ‘theatrical’ vibrato celesta and vibrato, reverb effect, 7 presets for percussion.
Details
Electrical impulses of various frequencies are produced within a tone generator, containing a number of tone wheels driven at predetermined speeds by a synchronous motor and gear arrangement. Each phonic wheel is similar to a gear, with high and low teeth. As the wheel rotates these teeth pass near a permanent magnet, and the resulting variations in the magnetic field induce a voltage in a coil wound on the magnet. This small voltage, when suitably filtered, produces one note of the musical scale, its pitch or frequency depending on the number of teeth passing the magnet each second. A note of the organ, played on either manual or the pedal keyboard, generally consists of a fundamental pitch and a number of harmonics of the fundamental frequency. The notes available on each key are individually controllable by means of drawbars and preset keys.
The signals passes through the expression control and through the preamplifier, where vibrato is introduced, to the power amplifier and the self-contained speakers. Reverberation is added electrically by a second amplifier which drives a reverberation speaker, also located in the console.