Archive of the former Yahoo!Groups mailing list: Mellotronists

 

pc_eclipsed wrote:

Hi,
Though I don't have a 'Tron yet (still hopeful),
I am interested to know how those of you who have Trons are able to
preserve the tapes...........so here's an informal poll...

These machines are growing older by the day, so I wonder:

1) Do you use your mellotrons regularly?
2) If so, what measures do you take to protect your tapes from decay
(i.e. shedding oxide, temp and humidity issues, etc.)
3) What can be done to prevent "stretching" of the tapes due to age,
overuse, etc...?

there's probably a dozen more questions that should be asked, but
this will do for the moment.....

Meanwhile, I'd be very interested in your responses...Thanks in
advance!    Paul

---

Hello Paul and Everyone,    Great Question !

With some of my orig tape sets over 30 yrs.old now, I'm concened
if these will reach my "golden years" in the future.

Based upon my pers. experience, the largest enemy to tapes
is poor storage and neglect. Chris Dale provided some great
ideas for their care thru  the years. Thanks, Chris !

I've seen tapes losing some oxide at contact points with lower
plastic guides (or turnbuckles) on M400's, if dirt is allowed to
accumulate and then tapes set into motion. By design, these
turnbuckles are always in contact with the oxide layer.

Spots,mildew can ruin tapes if not kept clean. Again, Chris' idea
of cleaning with at least 91% IPA or higher. 100% IPA not avail.
over-the-counter in the USA, as it's considered a chemical.

Tapes usually wear thin at the capstan contact point. In worst case,
the tapes assume an "hourglass" shape , and only a matter of time
before they break at that spot. I've seen  (un)Sound Sales Trons
with badly installed/aligned tape storage boxes which actually
accelerated tape wear in this area.

Poorly adjusted /dirty pinchrollers also cause wear at this spot.
Ditto for weak tape return springs,a potential source for wrinkles.

With the Trons I've owned/serviced, I carefully check the entire
tape path for the slightest burrs/dirt, etc. Clean,polish is the rule.
Small wrinkles on the tape can be carefully removed with
clothes-iron on LOWEST position and with GENTLE  pressure atop
soft fabric surface. I tried this on an orig. "BBS"  scrap tape
and it worked fine ! I don't think this will work on newer tapes
with matte and/or coloured surfaces.

To sum-up, Clean,Polish,Demag,Store  .  Additional info from
other Tron owners and restorers is heartily invited.   Happy July 4th !

Cheers,  Jerry Korb