Some more info from the owner...
Hey Dan,
Thanks for the info. I actually did read some stuff about the symposia - interesting stuff, and I think many of the interviews/sessions with Ian are on youTube - lots of fun! I really love my old machine, and it has brought me many good memories, but I don't use it as much as it should be used, and I am rasing money for a new acoustic guitar (I know - moving to the dark side :), so I am selling off pretty much all my vintage keyboard stuff, this one being the crown jewel, I hope.
I have been in contact with Markus Resch, who offered me a digital machine plus a fair bit of cash for mine, but as I said, I'm not in the market for another 'tron, and if I was, I am not certain I would go digital, although there is something to be said for portability!
Re the keyboard, I have no doubt that the rollers are harder than they should be (one key seems to slip, but the others are stable at least), and if the dividers have fallen out, they must have done so before I got the machine, because I have never seen any parts in the bottom. Is it possible they are still intact? What would they look like?
I had an electronics guy (he's an audio tech, not keyboard) look at the boards, and he reports that the caps, etc., are all in pretty good shape, no swelling, etc. He was quite surprised at the condition of them given the age of the machine. I cleaned the pots myelf and the only one that is not perfectly smooth is the tone pot - still makes some noise. Maybe more cleaning, maybe not...
As far as history goes, I have no clue. The muff cover has an old Mother's Music sticker on the top - they are/were in Edmonton (recently bought by L&M). The guy I bought it from had no idea what he was sitting on, just bought it on a whim because it seemed cool - I don't even think he was a musician. I found it through a friend while working on a studio project for college, and my wife bought it for me for a Christmas present later that year ('83). Other than that, I have always wished I could find the history, but was never successful.
So...time marches on, and I need to say goodbye to my nice white friend. Do you kow anyone that might be interested? I attached a couple more pics. I made them into an album because they are huge - let me know if you can't get them.
--- In newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com, "'tronster" <dan_miso@...> wrote:
>
> Hello:
>
> RE: Burlington, Ontario tron
>
> Same owner since 1983
>
> Rack 1) Usual flute/3 violins/cello
> Rack 2) 8 Choir/string Section/'unknown stringy sound'
>
> CMC-10 but does not 'sag' when lots of notes played.
> Drive belt is in place-machine plays well with no wobblies.
>
> Hunk of plywood is 'glued in well' and was in place when purchased in 1983.
>
> Seems like a reasonable tron although the price is not.
>
> C'mon Jim-get in there and dicker!
>
> Dan
>
> --- In newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com, "tron400" <tron400@> wrote:
> >
> > When was the crossover point from CMC10 to SMS2? Didn't the later M400's come with SMS2 boards?
> >
> > Bernie
> >
> > --- In newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com, lsf5275@ wrote:
> > >
> > > It has a CMC10, so I doubt anything has been upgraded.
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > In a message dated 4/1/2012 5:11:08 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,
> > > tron400@ writes:
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > With that late a serial number, it's probably had the upgrade.
> > >
> > > Bernie
> > >
> > > --- In _newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com_
> > > (mailto:newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com) , john barrick <barrickjohn262@> wrote:
> > > >
> > > > On Sun, Apr 1, 2012 at 7:54 AM, john.mcnamara65 <jfranmac@> wrote:
> > > >
> > > > > ∗∗
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > > Wish I had some mad money! M400s, does that mean it has not had the
> > > motor
> > > > > upgrade?
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > _http://toronto.kijiji.ca/c-buy-and-sell-musical-instruments-pianos-keyboards-Very-Rare-Vintage-Mellotron-M400s-With-cover-and-2-tape-racks-W0QQAdId
> > > Z367652260_
> > > (http://toronto.kijiji.ca/c-buy-and-sell-musical-instruments-pianos-keyboards-Very-Rare-Vintage-Mellotron-M400s-With-cover-and-2-tape-racks-
> > > W0QQAdIdZ367652260)
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > > Ooooohhh! It comes with the bondage trousers!,___
> > > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > --
> > > > john barrick
> > > >
> > > > ∗Leo got it right the first time∗
> > > > ∗then he added a second pickup and got it righter∗
> > > >
> > >
> >
>