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Subject: Re: [newmellotrongroup] Re: just throwing this out there too

From: lsf5275@aol.com
Date: 2011-01-04

Admit it Gary, you don't like John.
 
Today I received a shiny new capstan from Streetly for 525. I just finished setting the keys, pads, rollers and azimuths. It sounds amazing. I may put up a little video for a short time on you tube. The cabinet paint should be done by the end of the week and then I can put it all back together. It should go home a week from Saturday. Gary, I'd love to fix one up for you one of these days.
 
As for the M5000, it's a Mellotronist's machine, not meant necessarily for touring, although I can't imagine it would be too much worse than toting a B-3 or C-3. It's meant to be played. I don't see Tony moving his from place to place, nor do I see Bernie doing so. If I had one, I'd do with it what I do with the M4000. Play it. Show it off to those who would know what they're looking at. Show it off to anyone who comes into the room where it's located whether they know what it is or not. Brag to everyone I know or meet in the music business that I have one. Drool on it. Wipe off the drool. Tinker with it.
 
Frank
 
In a message dated 1/3/2011 6:03:13 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, gabru@comsec.net writes:
 

John,

You missed my point completely.  It was only that it ~had~ to be side by side due to the physical layout of the machine.  My point was also that

to me it would be more practical to have 2 400s logistically.  An acoustic piano is a lot to haul around but it ~has~ to be that way unless a synth/sample

solution is used.  Same for a MKII …sure it would be nice to have an original but to set out today to produce something like that would be impractical at

best and a tiny market for sure.  I have wanted a 400 sin ce I was a kid and I am still intrigued by Mellotrons in general.  I played and recorded with them

back in the 70s when it was the only thing of its kind and I loved it.  That’s why I am here.  But although I have an extensive keyboard set up I still can not

justify the price of a current model for the few sounds I like and would use.  Others would and do justify the cost and that’s great for them.  Please don’t make

me out to be some sort of anti Mellotron guy …I’m not.  I have found it more difficult to get Hammond and Piano samples that I like than violin/cello/flute

samples that sound like authentic Mellotron.  Most of the Tron recordings  have so much reverb, distortion , or other processing added that it is sometimes far removed

from the actual sound of the instrument.  Someday….if the economy ever returns I would very much like to pick up a 400 and have it restored by Frank.  I have

been amazed at the craftsmanship he puts in to those old machines.  I would not take it out for live gigs but would treat it like my vintage guitars ….with respect

and care.

Cheers,

Gary

From: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com [mailto:newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of john barrick
Sent: Monday, January 03, 2011 2:32 PM
To: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [newmellotrongroup] Re: just throwing this out there too

 

OK - so Gary's made his point that he doesn't want an M5000 (nor, from what I can tell, a MK II).  To be honest, I"m not sure if he wants an M400 or M4000 either (just a vibe I'm picking up).  I, on the other hand will be ecstatic the day I can place my M5000 order.  From a position of ergonomics, playing an M5000 (or MK II) can't be any more difficult than playing a piano, and I've yet to hear anyone complain about that.

On Mon, Jan 3, 2011 at 3:43 PM, Pomeroy RH Ranch <punchbowl4@earthlink.net> wrote:

 

well.....stop!

On 1/3/2011 1:16 PM, fdoddy@aol.com wrote:

 

...and I'm still kicking myself!

fritz

-----Original Message-----
From: Gary Brumm <gabru@comsec.net>

Sent: Mon, Jan 3, 2011 3:52 pm
Subject: RE: [newmellotrongroup] Re: just throwing this out there too

 

…and I am still kicking myself for not investing in Google at the start…..and selling at the peak!  J

From: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com [mailto:newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Tony
Sent: Monday, January 03, 2011 12:44 PM
To: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [newmellotrongroup] Re: just throwing this out there too

< /div>

 

And I'm still kicking myself for not buying ex Moraz's Mark V.

Tony

----- Original Message -----

Sent: Monday, January 03, 2011 3:40 PM

Subject: Re: [newmellotrongroup] Re: just throwing this out there too

 

Indeed.... There is no way it would make financial sense to duplicate a Mark II. I would probably buy a vintage Mark II... but only as a collectors item as part of my own keyboard collection. I use samples for live performance. 

I am still kicking myself for not bidding on the last Mark II up for auction. I would have paid a lot more than it went for.

On Jan 3, 2011, at 12:17 PM, Gary Brumm wrote:

Why not just 2 400s or 4000s or MKIVs in a L config for better playability….not to mention portability. 

Anyone with the money can get a sampler and anyon e with the money can get a 4000 or 5000.  The overwhelming

majority opt for the sampler even if they have the budget for the tape machine.  If the mechanical limitations hadn’t forced the side

by side configuration I am sure they would have stacked the keyboards.  I doubt the market would be much of anything for

a side by side Mellotron today….especially at $10K-$15K. 

From: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com [mailto:newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of lsf5275@aol.com
Sent: Monday, January 03, 2011 11:33 AM
To: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [newmellotrongroup] Re: just throwing this out there too

Well, Mark I and II Mellotrons were that way, and it would be a lot simpler to duplicate that layout in a real 2 manual Mellotron than to build them over-under. Plus, in the M5000 if Streetly get around to duplicating that big fat-ass bench then we'll really be in business. Looks like a Mark II for that retro feeling. Plays as well or better than a Mark II. Has 10 times the reliability of a Mark II. What's not to like... as long as you have the bucks to afford one. Anyone can get a sampler... anyone. Not everyone can have an M4000 or M5000.

I can configure the samples in my Triton P roX to duplicate a Mark II. Haven't yet, but I intend to right after I finish doing everything else on earth I can think of... (and no, I am not intending to expand stuff I can/need/want to do to outer space). I wish I could have a M5000, but I feel fortunate to have the 4000. In this economy, I don't think I could take delivery on one if I had to do so today.

In a message dated 1/3/2011 1:18:02 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, gabru@comsec.net writes:

Obviously the original ~had~ t o be built that way (mechanical logistics) but why you would want to connect 2 manuals

side by side in ~modern~ times is beyond me…..