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Subject: RE: [newmellotrongroup] Re: Tron hunting

From: Tom Doncourt <tomdcour@amnh.org>
Date: 2011-12-22

I bought 390 "new" from Sam Ash in 73 -I think she had sat in a warehouse for at least a year. I traded  my fender rhodes for a second  m400 with a much earlier serial number in 1980 but I sold that one a few years later (sadly). I never fell out of love with the tron but I did live in fear of something breaking that I could not replace. It was not until I picked up Frank Samaggio's book that I found there were resources! I second Chris's appreciation for those that have kept our trons going- The Streetly folks, Markus, Frank and Jerry. The pleasure I get from sitting down at my well running little mellotron can never be replaced! Merry Holidays to you all!!
From: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com [newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com] on behalf of Chris Dale [unobtainiumkeys@gmail.com]
Sent: Thursday, December 22, 2011 10:32 AM
To: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [newmellotrongroup] Re: Tron hunting, for dummies, or at least, me

 

I bought my EMI one from a guy who was getting divorced and was selling everything. The M400 and the Double Wakeman Tron were basically free, but they were in such bad shape that they were almost unrecognizable and no one wanted them or cared. They also took considerable time and money to restore. But this was back when you were laughed at and derided (and I was) for even being interested in Mellotrons.
 
Now it's a bit different. More people want them. But I agree - they're still out there, they can still be found - but they will need work.
 
I have to say that the only reason I ever bothered getting more than one at that time was because I was afraid I could never find spare parts, and totally expected to have to cannibalize the bad machines to keep one good one going. 
 
I'm eternally grateful for our Mellotron resources - Streetly, Markus, Jerry Korb, Frank, and whoever else is out there, because without them, things would be different for us and not in a good way.
 
Don't give up on looking. You'll find one eventually. And it will have it's own story to tell, and getting it fixed up if need be - will be a little journey in and of itself. But that's okay. That's part of the magic.
 
 
Merry Christmas everyone. 
 
  

On Thu, Dec 22, 2011 at 7:03 AM, tron400 <tron400@yahoo.com> wrote:
 

I have to agree. There's a good chance if you buy one on the cheap just to get your hands on one and it needs major work like a cabinet rebuild, it's going to sit there gathering dust, just like it was before you bought it.

Bernie



--- In newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com, lsf5275@... wrote:
>
> Buy one fixed up. You're gonna spend the money anyway. I'd be happy to sell
> you one ready to go.
>
> Frank
>
>
> In a message dated 12/20/2011 4:08:35 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,
> fourtytwominds@... writes:
>
>
>
>
> 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
>