Archive of the former Yahoo!Groups mailing list: Mellotronists
Subject: Tips on Moving a MKII
From: kenmerb@...
Date: 2005-01-18
Hi everyone,
I just had a thought which may help those on the list with double-keyboard Trons if you ever have to move them. I know there are quite a few of you out there: Jerry, Frank, Rick, Jimmy, JB, Martin, Chris, Bob, myself and others.
I just saw a demonstration (on TV) of a very inexpensive, low tech gadget which seems to be made for heavy Tron lifting. It's a pair of straps which allow two people to easily lift heavy objects. The straps go under the item to be lifted. Two people (one on each end) put their forearms into the straps and stand up, lifting with the legs. In the demo I saw, two normal guys easily lifted a refrigerator well off the ground and effortlessly walked around with it, while a 200 pound man sat on top of it. There's some kind of leverage going on here that the strap is designed to take advantage of.
I have a road case for my MKII. The hardest part of moving the beast is lifting it up 18 inches or so off the ground and then ∗dancing around∗ trying to get it into the lower lip of the road case (KL knows the dance well). When I move the MKII, we usually need several guys just for this step. There's no good way to grip a MKII for lifting it, so that's most of the problem (along with the weight). These straps seem like a good solution. I'd just use them for that - lifting it in and out of a case. If you do have a double keyboard mellotron, I suggest you do most of your transporting in a well built case. However, these straps would seem to solve the "lifting" part.
I've just ordered a pair of them through QVC (www.qvc.com). I can't say that I've tried them out yet, but I'm willing to give it a shot. For $18 a pair, it's not much to spend to save your back, and maybe your mellotron. You also won't need so many people the next time you have to move it. The straps are rated up to a weight of 500 pounds.
Ken M
MKII #247 (survived three hurricanes last year without moving).