Archive of the former Yahoo!Groups mailing list: Mellotronists

 

Herman Ringer wrote:

Higuys! For some strangereason, one of the tapes doesn´t rewind unless I pick the keyboarda little bit up. I haven´t observed this behaviour until today. ShouldI take a pic of the keyboard, the capstan and tapes, would that help youto advice on what I should do? HELP, I´m scared!!! allthe best!   Herman Ringer    M400S #1396
 

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Hi Herman,  Relax, help is here !  Either the pad or roller adjustment
is too tight. Tape won't retract .    First thing is to check key travel
distance of 3/8 inch (factory settings). Some people think this is
too "loose" and attempt to tighten the keys.Not good, and
compromises perfomance .
 

Which key # is it ??     Firstturn the screws CCW, anti-clockwise
two turns for pad (screw nearest front of Tron),and then pinch-roller
( screw towards the rear of Tron).     Turn the pinchroller screw
CW clockwise slowly until you see tape movementand return.
This is visible at rear of keyboard.

Once proper tape movement is verified, slowlyturn the pad screw
CW clockwise until you hear some type of sound.Will be similar
to abused-cat !    Not a problem..... Leave the pad screw as-is
for the moment.

Return to pinchroller screw and make two fullturns clockwise
AFTER you hear a stabile sound. That is, no wobblywah-wah
or such .  Again verify proper tape movement.

Now return to pad screw (front) , turn CCW untilsound disappears.
Then turn CW a full turn after a clear soundis heard.
Again, verify proper tape movement and returnfrom storage box.

Email me privately if you like more details,Herman.

Regards, -- Jerry Korb at the Mellotron Ranch

MK-I #124  "Julia"  ,   MK-II#210 (Pindertron just visiting),
M300 #037,   M400  #681,    MK-V (Moraz-O-Tron just visiting),
and JKMK6 #001   ......whew !