Archive of the former Yahoo!Groups mailing list: Mellotronists

Hi folks,

Norm's black ex BJH 400 was owned by mefrom 1988 to 2005 ish. I bought it from a guy near Manchester for£200 (those were the days!) and already had two ex Strawbs tape framesthat I bought in the mid 80s from a guy in an agency that dealt withtheir gigs. The second set of frames that came with the 400 weremarked BJH on the label and included French Horns and boyschoir.

I used the 400 for many years includingon my track for the 'Rime of the Ancient Sampler'.

The 400 was serviced by Martin and Johncirca 94 when they put a new motor and controller in. (They loaned mean ex King Crimson 400 while that was being done).

The 400 was sold to Norm by my now expartner when we split up, but at least I know it's in goodhands.

Regarding demagging heads, I used asimple TDK cassette head demagger on it with great success, which I'vealso used on everything from cassettes to multitracks. The mainadvantage is that you don't have to switch it on and wave it about.The TDK one has a switch on the side with associated LED that 'fires'the demagging charge. So as long as you remove the tapes first(obviously) it works fine.

Here the info on Peter Sellers tron: I'mrespoinsible fot eh info here as I found out in the later 70s that hehad owned one. The details are in a biography called Peter Sellers-themask behind the mask' (sorry the author's name escapes me at themoment). There it's called the  Melotrone! PS introduced PrincessMargaret and Lord Snowdon to one, mSpike Milligan was a fan, andaccording to the book, Seller's instrument ended up with jazz pianistAlan Clare (who appeared in Milligan's Q TV series.

Mind you Martin Smith says that PeterSellers was so incensed that Streetly should actually ask PrincessMargaret of payment (they had to repossess the one at KensingtonPalace) that he sent his one back!

Best wishes,

Dave.

M400 #1514 - black vinyl factory covered version witha slightly different shaped cabinet and a Bradmatic label on the back- supplied by Streetly a few years ago. Apparently a prototype (thered one was scrapped!), it eventually ended up with BJH. Evidence ofregular servicing throughout its life, also did a period of servicewith Harris hire. As far as I am concerned it seems to be one of themost stable M400s I have ever seen. Also have an additional fourframes.

 

Norm