Good day all!
I've been sitting on this one for a while and decided it should be shared, given the rarity of the red lamp cap and the number of folks who are probably ripping up their fingers trying to power up. It's a little complex, but hell, most of you folks own Mellotrons so we'll assume you have SOME mechanical skills.....
Attached are four pictures. I'll break it down into four steps:
1.) The first photo is of a lamp base package available at Radio Shack. Yes....the Shack. I think it was $2.69. It's a T-3 1/2 Miniature Lamp Base, Model # 272-325. You should be able to walk in and grab it from the drawer section, but it's a good idea to call and ask. Here's a link to order online:
http://www.radioshack.com/family/index.jsp?categoryId=2032294
The part is available with both red and green caps, but it's nice to have a green backup or just to be able to switch colors with your mood. It's a pretty sweet two-for-one scenario, at any rate. You will only need the caps.
2.) The second photo shows the caps.....the red one having been modified. Simply use a dremel or multi-tool and carefully remove the threads. Make sure you de-burr the inside of your cut. It's going to be a tight squeeze.
3.) Sorry about photo three being a bit fuzzy, but it's all there.....Now here's the tricky part....wear a good pair of reading specs for this (I sure did). You'll notice the stock switch has a retaining ring around the upper portion. There is also a groove in the sleeve. You'll need a very slim piece of a bendable sheet-metal....I used aluminum roof flashing.
As you can see, I used scissors to cut a tab just wide enough to fit into the groove. Make it long enough to fold over. You'll need to first turn the gap in the retaining ring around to the back of the sleeve so that it's opposite the groove. Then insert the tab behind the ring and into the groove. Then fold it over the ring. This will give the cap something to grip as it turns.
Now you can push the cap on. Be sure the fold of the tab is behind the cap as it goes on, you may need to tip the cap and favor the tab side as you put it on. You will have to push pretty hard. If the cap doesn't grab, it's not on.
4.) And there it is! Not a bad substitute for the troublesome cap nobody makes anymore. It may take a few tries to get it right and it may loosen over time, though mine has been fine for years on two different mellotrons. The way I figure, the part is cheap so you can always make more. Certainly worth it as one of the cool things on the mellotron is that neat switch.
Enjoy, and let me know if any of you have success with it, or come up with any improvements.
Cheers!
-Jack
