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Subject: Re: [newmellotrongroup] Tron hunting

From: lsf5275@aol.com
Date: 2011-12-22

Thanks John,
 
My net cost on that Tron was well under a grand. And for those that don't understand John's remark about the tape frames... All are slightly different. I like to adjust the restored Trons for the lightest and fastest (but still accurate) keyboard action. So if you have one frame that has a bit more friction in its tape path than another, you may have to slightly tighten the pinch rollers a bit to accommodate. Slightly. The trick is to set them properly for each frame. Once you know the frame it takes moments.
 
When I rebuilt John's Mellotron, I also rebuilt it's one tape frame. It was in terrible shape and I went through it and tried to make it as clean and friction free as possible. John has since acquired other frames that may be better or worse. That frame was pretty slick when I was done with it.
 
Most Mellotrons are set up for "worst case", and few are set up us well as they could be. When they are right, they can be amazing. Years of picking the brains of those more experienced than I (Martin, John and Markus) and endless hours of experimenting led me to where I am now. I didn't invent the wheel, I just figured out how to make it perfectly round and to roll freely.
 
So for John, he has the choice of tweaking from frame to frame to keep it super sweet or setting it up for worst case. He understands and agrees with my philosophy.
 
Frank
 
In a message dated 12/20/2011 5:19:35 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, hammaren@geoconcepts.com writes:
 

I found mine in a trailer in the backyard of a fellow musician that I worked with briefly. He wanted to get rid of it, and probably would have cost me nothing if I let him. Instead I traded a Blue mic, so let’s say the thing cost me $1200. I wasn’t using the mic, and even in the wretched condition the Tron was in I felt I got the bargain (he thought he got the better end of the deal, so I guess that was a win-win.) In any event, a similar machine came up in the group in worse shape than mine that went for something in the 2 grand category, before shipping arrangements. I thought about it, but eventually deferred and Frank S. got it. Now for perhaps the most useful part of my comments, and I am now a believer, is that no matter how handy you think you are, and no matter how helpful people in the groups can be, this is not a task for girls (metaphorically speaking, please!). I am very electronically inclined, and mechanically less so, but still better than most, and I am glad I decided to not bring it home and turn it on. I did a little research and found Frank, and after some discussion felt that rather than spend the next ten years dicking around with something I knew nothing about, I would let him restore it the way it should be as if I had the money long ago in that Sam Ash in NY to buy that Mellotron on the floor. I won’t mention the cost, as this is between me and my priest, but when I brought that work of art home after restoration, I was grinning for days. I only brag about two pieces of gear I own – my Dotcom and my Tron. So, the net is by all means go out there and find one, but realize that unless it is in playable condition (I mean very playable), I wouldn’t spend not much more than what I did in that trade. The things Frank had to do to my Tron would have taken me years, if not forever to accomplish. Even in fully restored shape my Tron still has its little moments, like after swapping tapes. Just the nature of the beast, and part of its charm. It does require a little attention.

I hope you find one someday, but remember, there are no Sams Photofacts for the Tron.

“This is my Tron. There are many like it, but this one is mine”

Regards,

John

From: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com [mailto:newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Sean
Sent: Tuesday, December 20, 2011 3:49 PM
To: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [newmellotrongroup] Tron hunting, for dummies, or at least, me

 

Of course I'd like to pick up a used 'tron.

Now that we're all done laughing! :)

Those of you that have been successful, how'd you do it? I've been scouring thrift stores, consignment stores, music shops, talking to music shop owners, organists, and posting on facebook walls for these music shops.

I'm hoping, like a fool probably, that California is a big place and there may be one or two unaccounted for 'trons in the state, probably in bad condition. Hopefully in the possession of someone who doesn't value it much and will let it go for a bargain.

Of course, I may just be high as a kite or something.

Thanks

-Sean