Leslie serial numbers & dating.
Speaker cabinets with a personality — 24 models, 36 numbering schemes, honest "circa" windows.
Leslie cabinets are half the sound of a Hammond record, and their dating is the most honest problem in the field: factory records were lost, and the community list is a compilation of owner data — the list itself warns to expect imprecision of "a year or two". The plate sits on the amplifier chassis inside the cabinet, and you will often find a date pencilled on the inner walls by a previous owner. Motor and speaker date codes frequently give the exact year.
Serial number lookup
68 published dating blocks across 36 model series, covering 1946–2000.
Where the serial number lives
- Serial number on the amplifier chassis inside the cabinet.
- Pencilled dates and numbers on the inner side walls — check with a flashlight.
- Early cabinets: plain metal tags with a bare number. Later: foil tags with FA/FB prefixes.
- Exact-year route: the motor date code (e.g. 7245 = week 45 of 1972) and EIA codes on the driver.
Era markers
| Era | Years | What it means on the instrument |
|---|---|---|
| Field-coil era | before 1958 | Field-coil speakers; earliest cabinets |
| Permanent-magnet era | 1958–1963 | PM drivers arrive |
| Two-speed tube era | late 1963– | 122/147 line-up as we know it; 122 = balanced input, 147 = unbalanced |
| Solid-state era | 1970s– | Three-speed solid-state amps |
| Hammond-Suzuki era | 1991– | Modern production |
Coverage by model
Speaker cabinets
| Model | Coverage | Dating blocks |
|---|---|---|
| 21H | 1949–1957 onwards | 2 |
| 22H | 1957–1962 onwards | 4 |
| 22R | 1963 onwards | 1 |
| 25 | 1959–1960 onwards | 1 |
| 31A | 1946 onwards | 1 |
| 31H | 1948–1958 onwards | 6 |
| 44W | 1955–1956 onwards | 1 |
| 45 | 1959–1960 onwards | 2 |
| 47 | 1962 onwards | 1 |
| 50C | 1959 onwards | 1 |
| 120 | 1970 onwards | 1 |
| 122 | 1963–1980 onwards | 12 |
| 122A | 1989–2000 onwards | 3 |
| 122R | 1964 onwards | 1 |
| 125 | 1964–1968 onwards | 2 |
| 142 | 1974–1975 onwards | 1 |
| 145 | 1964–1975 onwards | 7 |
| 147 | 1964–1975 onwards | 8 |
| 222 | 1973 onwards | 1 |
| 251 | 1964–1974 onwards | 4 |
| 257 | 1968 onwards | 1 |
| 330 | 1979 onwards | 1 |
| 760 | 1971–1978 onwards | 5 |
| 770 | 1973 onwards | 1 |
Blocks are envelopes of owner-reported registrations, verified against date codes by the submitters — not factory ledgers. That is why every result carries a confidence level.
Model catalogue
72 documented models — 57 with published production years (observed 2026-10-12). Years are catalogue-derived; models without published years are listed as placeholders.
Show all 72 models
| Model | Years | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Leslie 30A | 1941–1947 | Speaker | first Leslie model · single speed (off/tremolo) |
| Leslie 31A | 1945–1947 | Speaker | predecessor of 31H, rare · 6H interface |
| Leslie 31H 'Tall Boy' | 1947–1958 | Speaker | field-coil bass (all made before 1958) · 6H interface · Leslie: B-3, C-3 |
| Leslie 31W | 1947–1958 | Speaker | Wurlitzer amplifier variant of 31H · early units = non-standard input, later 6W |
| Leslie 21H | 1948–1958 | Speaker | field-coil bass, 41" cabinet · two amp versions: 20 W and the more desirable 30 W · Leslie: B-3, C-3 |
| Leslie 44W | 1948–1958 | Speaker | 'Shorty' 33" version of the 21H/46W concept · 6W, 20 W amp |
| Leslie 46W | 1948–1958 | Speaker | same speaker as 21H with 30 W 46W amplifier · 6W interface |
| Leslie 50C | 1948–1958 | Speaker | two-channel, first design with 6550 output tubes · 6C interface |
| Leslie 22H | 1958–1963 | Speaker | one-speed version of the 122 (41") · 6H |
| Leslie 25 | 1958–1963 | Speaker | permanent-magnet bass era (1958-1963) · predecessor of 125, available without amplifier |
| Leslie 45 | 1958–1963 | Speaker | 'Shorty' (33") version of 47 · one speed, permanent-magnet bass · Leslie: Wurlitzer 4520 |
| Leslie 47 | 1958–1963 | Speaker | one-speed version of 147 (41") · 6W |
| Leslie 51 / 51C | 1958–1963 | Speaker | two-channel, single speed, same speaker as 251 · 6C interface |
| Leslie 122 | 1963–1970 | Speaker | 41" two-speed tube Leslie, 40 W · balanced 6H input (low noise, speed-change delay) · Leslie: B-3, C-3, A-100, RT-3 |
| Leslie 122R | 1963– | Speaker | 122 with 6H interface (R = reverb-era variant in the model guide) |
| Leslie 122RV | 1963– | Speaker | 122 with reverb amp and separate static speaker |
| Leslie 122V | 1963– | Speaker | 122 with reverb amplifier feeding a separate static speaker |
| Leslie 125 | 1963–1970 | Speaker | 33" tube two-speed, lower rotor + 12" full-range, 20 W · early units use model-25 amplifier |
| Leslie 142 | 1963–1970 | Speaker | 33" two-speed tube Leslie, 6H · may cost the same as a 147 |
| Leslie 145 | 1963–1970 | Speaker | 33" two-speed tube Leslie, 6W · 'almost as valuable as 147' · Leslie: M-3, M-100, A-100 |
| Leslie 147 | 1963–1970 | Speaker | 41" two-speed tube Leslie, 40 W · unbalanced 6W input, AC motor switching (simpler hookup, no DC control) · Leslie: A-100, M-3, M-100, Wurlitzer 4500 |
| Leslie 147RV | 1963– | Speaker | 147 with reverb amplifier |
| Leslie 147V | 1963– | Speaker | 147 reverb/voice variant listed in the model guide |
| Leslie 222 / 222RV | 1963–1970 | Speaker | 27" low-boy version of the 122 · 6H |
| Leslie 225 | 1963–1970 | Speaker | 21" decorator version of the 125 · 'maybe the least sought after tube 2-speed model' |
| Leslie 242 | 1963–1970 | Speaker | 33" decorator tube cabinet (same cabinet as 245) · 6H |
| Leslie 245 | 1963–1970 | Speaker | 33" decorator, sounds/works like a 145 · 6W |
| Leslie 247 / 247RV | 1963–1970 | Speaker | 27" decorator low-boy, 6W (147 family) |
| Leslie 251 | 1963–1970 | Speaker | 41" two-channel tube cabinet, 6C · price row like the 142 |
| Leslie 351 | 1963–1970 | Speaker | 27" decorator two-channel tube cabinet, 6C · good for a living-room A-100 or for parts |
| Leslie 900 | 1968– | Speaker | first Pro-Line model: 100 W three-channel solid-state, splits into two sections, casters · 9-pin |
| Leslie 910 | 1968– | Speaker | 100 W three-channel Pro-Line, 59" two-section · 9-pin |
| Leslie 925 | 1968– | Speaker | 59" two-section Pro-Line, 'one of the finest Leslie speakers ever designed' · 9-pin |
| Leslie X-77 (X-77L) | 1968–1973 | Speaker | designed for the Hammond X-66/X-77: seven tab controls, six speakers, 12-pin Amphenol connector · Leslie: X-77 |
| Leslie 16 (Fender Vibratone) | 1970 | Speaker | smallest Leslie: single 10" speaker, rotating foam dispersion block, for guitarists · powered by an external amp; later reissued as the Fender Vibratone |
| Leslie 600 | 1970– | Speaker | solid-state, 4 channels, 'space generator' reverb · roto-sonic family |
| Leslie 610 | 1970– | Speaker | tube-amp roto-sonic with double drum, standard with Hammond R-100 |
| Leslie 700 | 1970– | Speaker | 9-pin roto-sonic, 33" · not tuned for Hammond tonewheel sound |
| Leslie 710 | 1970– | Speaker | 9-pin roto-sonic, 41"; upper section identical to 122/147/770 · some 1970s Hammond organs have a built-in interface · Leslie: X-66 |
| Leslie 720 | 1970– | Speaker | roto-sonic with rotor plus 15" bass speaker |
| Leslie 750 | 1970– | Speaker | 4-channel roto-sonic |
| Leslie 760 | 1970– | Speaker | 41" solid-state 3-speed, 90 W (40 W treble + 50 W bass) · 'great value for money' · Leslie: T-100 |
| Leslie 770 | 1970– | Speaker | 760 electronics in a 41" wooden cabinet · 9-pin |
| Leslie 820 | 1970– | Speaker | 31" solid-state, 9-pin, single rotor with 12" full-range |
| Leslie 825 | 1970– | Speaker | lower rotor only, 9-pin |
| Leslie 860 | 1970– | Speaker | 25" 120 W ultra-compact, better suited to guitar · 11-pin |
| Leslie HL-722 | 1975– | Speaker | 11-pin cabinet supplied with the Hammond B3000 (variants HL-422/415) · Leslie: B3000 |
| Leslie HL-822 | 1975– | Speaker | 11-pin cabinet, variant of the 715/815 family |
| Leslie 122A | 1991– | Speaker | Hammond-Suzuki straight reissue of the 122, 6H / 11-pin · Leslie: New B-3, XK-5 |
| Leslie 122XB | 1991– | Speaker | 122 reissue with 11-pin adapter, IEC AC input, line-in, footswitch jack |
| Leslie 142A | 1991– | Speaker | later 33" tube Leslie in the 142 line |
| Leslie 145A | 1991– | Speaker | 33" two-speed tube Leslie, later production |
| Leslie 147A | 1991– | Speaker | Hammond-Suzuki modern 147 replacement |
| Leslie 771 | 1991– | Speaker | updated 770 with 11-pin, made by Hammond-Suzuki from ~1991 |
| Leslie 2101 | 2005– | Speaker | 20" transportable: rotating horn plus two 2" compression drivers and two 5" woofers · two separate inputs |
| Leslie 2121 | 2005– | Speaker | 15" stationary speaker using DSP to emulate the rotating drum |
| Leslie 3300 | 2005– | Speaker | 300 W power amplifier, 11-pin · Leslie: XK-5, New B-3 |
| Leslie 100GK (101/102/103) | — | Speaker | built for Gulbransen organs - on the 'models to be careful about' list |
| Leslie 110 | — | Speaker | simplified 125-type cabinet, no amplifier · 6W |
| Leslie 112 | — | Speaker | originally built for the Gulbransen reed/complex-voice channel · 6W · Leslie: Gulbransen |
| Leslie 113 | — | Speaker | simplified 125-type cabinet, no amplifier · 6W |
| Leslie 114 | — | Speaker | simplified 125-type cabinet · 6W |
| Leslie 116 | — | Speaker | 6W interface |
| Leslie 120 | — | Speaker | simplified 125-type cabinet, no amplifier · 6W |
| Leslie 120C | — | Speaker | on the 'models to be careful about' list · 6W/6C |
| Leslie 3500 / 3500W | — | Speaker | current Hammond-Suzuki Leslie cabinet with 15" bass |
| Leslie 520 | — | Speaker | no rotating parts - on the 'models to be careful about' list |
| Leslie 55C | — | Speaker | built for specific Conn models - on the 'models to be careful about' list · 6C |
| Leslie 830 | — | Speaker | built for Cordovox-type instruments - on the 'models to be careful about' list |
| Leslie 971 | — | Speaker | current high-power Leslie with 11-pin connector |
| Leslie 981 | — | Speaker | current Hammond-Suzuki Leslie cabinet |
| Leslie 991 | — | Speaker | current Hammond-Suzuki Leslie cabinet |
Which cabinet works with which organ
With Hammond organs
| Organ | Cabinet | Input | Connector kit |
|---|---|---|---|
| tonewheel consoles (Model A/AB/BC/BV/C/CV/B-2/C-2/B-3/C-3/D/E/G, RT, RT-2, RT-3, D-100) | 122 / 122R / 122V / 122RV / 142 / 222 / 242 (6H family) | 6H balanced DC control | 6122 (6H to most older Hammond organs) |
| tonewheel consoles (same lines) | 147 / 147V / 147RV / 145 / 245 / 247 (6W family) | 6W unbalanced, AC motor switching | 6147 (6W to various organs) |
| A-100 / A-105 (self-contained consoles with built-in speakers and reverb amp) | 147 / 145 (6W) | 6W unbalanced | 6147 |
| spinet M / M-2 / M-3 | 145 / 147 / 125 (6W) | 6W unbalanced | 7271 (6W to Hammond M, M-100, L-100) |
| spinet M-100 / L-100 (incl. L-100A/1/2) | 145 / 147 / 125 / 251 (6W) | 6W unbalanced | 7271 (6W to Hammond M, M-100, L-100) |
| E-100 / E-300 / K-100 | 145 / 147 (6W) | 6W unbalanced | 7272 (6W to Hammond E-100, K-100) |
| T-100 / T-200 / T-300 / T-400 / T-500 | 145 / 147 / 760 (6W / 9-pin) | 6W for tube Leslies; 9-pin for solid-state | 7274 (6W to Hammond T-100) |
| X-66 / X-77 / X-77GT (transistor consoles) | 710 (9-pin) / X-77L | 9-pin plus the X-77's own 12-pin Amphenol interface | integral interface on some 1970s Hammonds |
| R-100 | 610 (tube amp, double roto-sonic drum) | routed through the organ | supplied with the organ |
| B3000 (1978 solid-state B-3 copy) | HL-722 / HL-822 (11-pin) | 11-pin | supplied with the organ |
With other organ brands
| Organ | Cabinet | Input | Connector kit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4500 / 4300 and other transistor Wurlitzers | 45 / 47 (6W) / 147 (6W) | 6W unbalanced | 7275 (6W to Wurlitzer and Gulbransen); older Wurlitzer kit numbers 4300B / 7043 / 7045 / 7230 / 7465 |
| Gulbransen home/theatre organs (Rialto K etc.) | 112 / 114 / 100GK / 110 / 7152-7159 pairs | 6W (112/114) and Gulbransen-specific cabinets | 7275 (6W to Wurlitzer and Gulbransen); 7152/7159 for the two-cabinet 110+112 system |
| Conn organs incl. 650/651/652 theatre consoles | 55C / 50C / 51C / 251 / 351 (6C two-channel) | 6C two-channel (old Conn standard) | 7130 / 7140 / 7167 / 7252 / 7917 (6W to Conn); 7660 / 7662 / 7670 (700/710/600); 7940/7942/7943/7945 (11-pin) |
| Thomas home organs | 147 / 145 (6W) / 700-710 / 610 | 6W and 9-pin | 7144 / 7160 / 7161 / 7177 / 7682 (6W to Thomas); 7674/7676/7680/7920/7960/9065/9560 (700-710/600) |
| Lowrey home organs | 147 / 145 (6W) / 351 | 6W | 7278 (6W to Lowrey); 7155 / 7280 / 7360 / 7405-7519 |
| Kimball home organs | 147 / 145 (6W) / 700-710 / 610 / 205 | 6W and 9-pin | 7433 / 7434 / 7490 / 7495 (6W to Kimball); 7700-7703 / 7716 (700-710 / 610-205) |
| Baldwin home/church organs (Orga-Sonic, HT-2 etc.) | 147 / 145 (6W) / 700-710 / 6C cabinets | 6W and 6C | 7075 (6W to Baldwin); 7084 / 7091 (700/710 to Baldwin); 7097 (6C to Baldwin) |
| Yamaha Electone home organs | 147 / 145 (6W) / 700-710 | 6W and 9-pin | 7266 / 7962 / 7966 (6W to Yamaha); 7967 (700/710 to Yamaha); 7960 (6W to Yamaha - number used twice in Leslie's own docs by mistake) |
| Kawai organs | 700 / 710 | 9-pin | 7971 (700/710 to Kawai) |
| New B-3 / XK-5 / SK-X / SKX PRO (current line) | 122A / 122XB / 147A / 3300 / 2101 (11-pin, current) | 11-pin (modern) | built-in 11-pin Leslie connector on current models |
| any organ <-> any Leslie | adapter kits (1122 / 1147 / 1174 / 1188 / 7279 / 8000 NT / 9770) | 6H/6W/6C <-> 11-pin | 1122 (6H to 11-pin); 1147 (6W to 11-pin); 1174 (11-pin Leslie to organs); 1188 (11-pin to Hammond with G-G terminals); 7279; 8000 NT; 9770 |
Before you buy
- early '30' series Leslies (30A/31A/31H family) below serial 5200: 'Early "30" series models below serial number 5200 have no provision to isolate DC control voltages and can not be used with 6H-type hookups unless their power amps are upgraded.'
- passive spinet Leslies (no amplifier: 110/113/120 etc.): Passive spinet Leslies connect the speaker directly to pins 1 and 6.
- cabinets that look like ours but are not: Leslie's 'models to be careful about': built for Gulbransen (112/114/100GK), Conn (55C), Cordovox-type instruments (830); the 520 has no rotating parts; the 120C is on the same list.
Connector kits are the fine print of every Leslie deal — a $400–700 kit can outweigh a cheap cabinet. Source: Captain Foldback kit lists, community-verified.
What it is worth
- Working Leslie cabinet: roughly $2,000–5,000 depending on model and condition (see the Hammond dealer snapshot on the Hammond page).
- An early "30"-series cabinet with a serial below 5200 is not compatible with the 6H interface — collectors check this before buying.
Frequently asked
Can I date a Leslie by serial number alone?
Partially. The community list covers many cabinets, but with ±1–2 years of imprecision. For an exact year, use the motor date code and EIA codes on the speaker driver.
122 or 147 — how do I tell them apart?
By the input: the 122 family is balanced ("6H"-style hookup through a kit), the 147 family is unbalanced. The combination of organ and cabinet decides which kit you need.