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Subject: Re: [Mellotronists] Last Manufacturer of Pro Analog Audio Tape Closes

From: "Chris Dale" <chris.dale@...>
Date: 2005-01-10

Hi Vance/All:
 
 
The rubber thingamabobs you refer to are not present in the mellotron. Also given the much shorter distance between pinch roller/pressure pads in the M series chamby, as well as how much wider the tapes /tape path is, I think filing down the pinch rollers in a Chamberlin M series machine would be a very big mistake. That extra grab/thickness is needed to properly drive the tapes, and Chamberlin pinch rollers are not readily available if something goes wrong.
 
Guys - What is the chance that some of the Chamberlin parts could be made as well?
 
We realize there is a ∗much∗ smaller market, and it's probably not cost-effective but how far is this wishful thinking from reality?
 
 
Chris
----- Original Message -----
From: Pomeroy Ranch
To: Mellotronists@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Sunday, January 09, 2005 5:58 PM
Subject: RE: [Mellotronists] Last Manufacturer of Pro Analog Audio Tape Closes

So – Helga, are you the cleaning lady at Streetly (or just Martin’s concubine…or his dominatrix, which is why he’s ‘tied up’?)

 

In any event, you seem to know what you’re talking about; So –

 

If I was to disconnect each of the spring-steel pinchy/push pad actions, drop them in a parcel box and mail them to you, you’d be able to grind/re-surface and treat the pinchies and re-felt and realign the brass push pads (50 of ‘em for an M2) – instead of sending the whole behemoth?

 

On the Chamberlin keyboard, each of the plastic-covered wooden keys is held in alignment in the front by a metal hook-shaped retainer with a little black rubber cushion thingamabob shaped somewhat like this: >0<. Does the Mellotron have such rubber thingamabobs? A bunch of mine are rotted and split and fallen off.

 

I know Markus can make new ½” Chamberlin tapes, but how about Streetly? – I’m interested in some of the nifty new sounds that only you guys have…

 

Thanks in advance Helga

 

Vance

 

-----Original Message-----
From: tronbros@... [mailto:tronbros@...]
Sent: Sunday, January 09, 2005 1:58 AM
To: Mellotronists@yahoogroups.com
Cc: punchbowl4@...
Subject: Re: [Mellotronists] Last Manufacturer of Pro Analog Audio Tape Closes

 

In a message dated 8/1/05 7:14:26 PM GMT Standard Time, punchbowl4@... writes:



Speaking of wobblies -- with Chamby M-style 1/2" 8-track, does rounding
the corners on the pinchies mess up the head contact on the outer tracks
(remember how narrow the tracks are)? Is the other part of the solution
to wobblies softening the rubber and/or replacing if softening does
round them well enough? How does felt-matting factor in to good push pad
performance and adjustability?



It's the pad that insures good contact of the tape with the head over all the tracks.  The roller is just a revolving pressure pad and the better it drives, the better the machine will sound.  Grinding the rollers can only improve things.



And, BTW, is the pinch roller on the 400 the same diameter as on the
Chamberlin M's with a similar axle and connection?



Don't know!  The rollers in the Chamby 300 we have are indentical to our rollers and at 3/8" wide they will certainly suit 1/2" tape even after grinding.  Remember, when we grind we reduce the surface area of the roller by 1/3rd yet standard tape drive is improved because you are concentrating the drive area.



Martin, anyone - come on...help us out...



Martin is unavailable.

Best,

Helga
Streetly Electronics - all things MELLOTRONIC - click this link..........

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West Coast Service Agent:  Paul J Cox - pjc56@...