Time for the annual trek to Baja with an SUV full of electromechanical
noisemakers... #1213 has been prepped for Robert's use with a brand new tape
frame from Martin (just arrived yesterday) laced with new tapes. (tape frame
review follows) The new frame fits perfectly and is all shiny-new. I'm used
to all these frames with yellowed plastic dividers and stretch-marked
springs and dull anchor screws, so this one really stands out. Kudos to the
tronbros for the fine workmanship. Everything looks just like the original
parts, with an improvement. The pulley assemblies that travel up and down at
the ends of the return springs are a new metal design, very lightweight and
smooth. The tapes - what can I say, they're brand new, crisp and clear.
#266 will be leaving the barn forever and emigrating to Mexico, under the
new ownership of Alfonso who is the promoter of Baja Prog and a vintage gear
nut like many of us. In the lengthy process of restoration I had always been
frustrated by the speed control. It was never very consistent, so I dug deep
(scopes, motor swapping, etc.) and determined that the tach head loop just
wasn't doing its job very well, even after much futzing (a long story - head
gap, head swap, new coax, you name it). A new motor from Martin saved the
day with 3 weeks to go. (new motor review follows) The new motors are
permanent-magnet types with ball bearings which are a drop-in replacement
for the old one. The field coil connection just isn't there, meaning that
not only does the machine behave now, but it's also energy-star compliant.
Motor problems gone with half the wattage!
Lastly there is the Clavinet D6 I've borrowed for the festival. I'd never
been keen on getting one of my own, thinking myself more of a
Hammond/Moog/Tron dude, but this may be a turning point. After I tuned it up
on the workbench, I decided to take it into the house and set it up in the
living room to get away from the fluorescent lights and the hum they induce.
The clav is a giant guitar pickup with keys. Hooked it up to a keyboard amp
and jammed away for a while. My wife poked her head in and said "hey, that
thing sounds great" which I usually take as the green light to go hunt for
one. After some time I went and dug up a bi-phase and went even more crazy.
Ooops, this is a tron list, sorry...
Steve, look me up!
- Gene
M400 #1023
M400 #1213
M400 #1289
M400 #266 (just visiting)
-----Original Message-----
From:
Mellotronists@yahoogroups.com [mailto:
Mellotronists@yahoogroups.com]On
Behalf Of sdavmor
Sent: Tuesday, February 14, 2006 7:26 AM
To: Mellotronists
Subject: Re: [Mellotronists] Re: England Garden Shed tron!!!
lil_guapo11 wrote:
> Or maybe I'm wrong? Perhaps its a protype M4000?
>
> Anyway, its the guy from England. :/
>
> --- In Mellotronists@yahoogroups.com, "lil_guapo11" <lil_guapo11@...>
> wrote:
>> Not sure if this has been posted before, but here's a pic of the
>> chopped in half MKII tron:
>>
>> http://www.prog-nose.org/images7/england%20R%20with%20Mellotron%201.jpg
I'll be seeing England at Baja Prog in 4 weeks.
--
Cheers,
SDM -- a 21st century schizoid man
Systems Theory internet music project links:
soundclick <www.soundclick.com/systemstheory>
garageband <
http://www.garageband.com/artist/systemstheory>
"Soundtracks For Imaginary Movies" CD released Dec 2004
"Codetalkers" CD coming very soon in 2006
NP: nothing