Mmmm, beer. And MELLOTRONS!
What an interesting discussion! Mellotronists are a passionate lot, eh? HA! How many of you wrinkle your noses a bit when you see the word "mellotron" NOT capitalized? I do. It's not a generic instrument; there's even the distinction between Mellotrons & Chamberlins, which are so similar as to be a "category" of instruments, but even then, they still aren't, really. "Tape-player keyboards?" I dunno.
Most of us old enough to remember the release of "Strawberry Fields Forever" remember taking note of that "odd flutey sound," the pitch change, and all the other "Mellotronistic" (how 'bout that?!) aspects to it. We heard the name, & I don't know about you guys, but for me, it was probably a couple of years before I heard much more about it... even what it was. "Parade" magazine once answered the "M" question, regarding "Strawberry Fields," by saying "... it's a type of computerized electric organ." I'll never forget that. Okay... pretty vague answer, & we didn't have Google then. Eventually, I heard the "In the Court of the Crimson King." What a watershed moment! "THAT'S a f%#∗#ing MELLOTRON??" came our gasps! The band I was in swore we NEEDED one. One day! We actually played "ITCOTCK," but our keyboardist, great as he was, was relegated to his Hammond organ. We even FOUND a 400 in a little music store outside Pittsburgh (we were based around Pittsburgh then), which thrilled us, but the price was prohibitive. That band came & went, but I never lost that mantra. Genesis came out w "Trick of the Tail" in '75, renewing my passion for the sound, & now in L.A., with a very supportive wife & depletion of a life insurance account, I maneuvered a couple of purchases & resales into finding & finally getting my M400 #1485. (That's actually an amazing story, too, w some REALLY serious music history involving a Chamberlin, but not for now. Suffice it to say, I LOVE L.A.!)
Added another tape frame & a custom set from Mellotronics, updated electronics & all... nothing you other veterans haven't done. And I quit the L.A. Musician's Union after their well-published, punitive stance on fining those who used Mellotrons in their music. Won't bow to that, thank you!
My long-winded point is that it's true, who gives a shit about the guy in the average band on TV, & his "Phonytron?" Admittedly, I was MUCH more annoyed by his loud bleeps & blurps on the synth that had nothing to do with anything, let alone the songs! At the same time, we all have stories about our real Mellotrons, and tend to scoff at those who "cheat" somehow. I'd love to have a Digital for live use - no doubt it's hugely easier & safer to travel with, & doesn't potentially jam up in the middle of a song. (I've thankfully never had that happen, but I guess if it could happen to R.W., it could happen to about anyone!) But it's still "real," & there's something unique and "right" about that. It IS a badge of honor, somehow.
So it's been an AWESOME discussion, & I fully agree with Tee: 'Trons & beer (or Guiness, to be "proper!"), with the adamant proviso, "NO DRINKS ON THE MELLOTRON!!" (Tho' I love the graphic on the M-tron Pro, with the coffee cup ring on the lid. I loved the detail & the humor, but it still made me cringe when I saw it!)
I'd love to tip elbows with any & all of you! And seriously, if these are our worst worries, we're actually doing pretty damned well.
Cheers, everyone!
Berington
Berington Van Campen
Van Campen Productions / V.C.MusiCorp Scoring Services
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