Archive of the former Yahoo!Groups mailing list: Mellotronists

 

kenmerb@... wrote:

For those interested,Jerry and I also participated in Mellotron "cycling races" over the phonethat day.  In this case, his MKI beat my MKII easily.  His MKItook 5 to 6 seconds to cycle between stations.  My MKII - about 26seconds was the worst time, although it seems to vary depending on whichdirection you are going and which keyboard is being used.  It hasalso gotten significantly slower (does much more "inching") since I changedmy tapes.  I'll have to adjust this someday - a future project forme.  Let's just say that it's good I don't have to gig with my MKII(for so many reasons).

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Hi KM and gang,   The main differencesbetween cycling of MK-I and MK-II
models is due to larger sprockets on drumsand drive motor.  Necessary for
more "tooth contact" on the fine links ofMeccano, vs. Reynolds roller chain
on MK-II,SFX,and M300 .

Motor speeds appear to be the same in all cyclingmodels. JB,can you verify,pls?
The clue which KM revealed about the longinching time is due directly
to the recent tape replacement made. Each tape mark must be precisely in-line
with the rotary sync switch, driven from chain/motorin rear of instrument.
If this is offset,you might have the machineinch more in one direction than the other.

On MK-II models,easy to adjust the "wiper"on rotary switch. I had to slacken
the chain,loosen the switch assy. and hopefullyget it spot-on when fastening
everything again.  Another item to checkKM, is drum tension. If you can access &
loosen the 2BA nut on motor clutch,you shouldbe able to rotate the drum
freely. A litle resistance will be encountered,dueto 35 tapes and return springs
in motion.  Something to work on whenyou're relocated to the Sunshine State.
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Congrats, Jerry! And never forget - the ultimate reason we work on these things is so thatwe can ∗play∗ them.  A museum is a good place for light bulbs, notMellotrons.  Maybe you can get back to playing your Mellotrons likeyou did back in North Jersey, when you were in the band with two Mellotronists. That should be your next project after Pierre's machine.- Ken M.

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Exactly correct,KM !  Collectors of vintage/perf. autos(not I) love to drive them,
as well as tinker with mechanicals . Soon, I'll change hats from pit-crew to
test-driver on the Mellotrons....... "That thing got a Hemi??.... SWEET !......"

Thanks for the nice compliments,Ken. Look forphotos soon.
Best Regards,  JK (dual-quad,nitrous-injected,ported/polishedMellotron family)