I'm still on Facebook, but it's true, I rarely look at it, either. It is a tremendous time-soak if you let it be. For me it's mostly a promotional tool, & there's NO doubt, it has also put me in touch with old school friends and band mates with whom I'd otherwise have never connected. That's been a big benefit, but yes, an occasional one.
As far as Bernie Sanders... I think if he ever knew what Mellotrons were, he'd just wanna make sure everyone HAS one, maybe even for free (though who's really paying for all this "free" stuff, right?). So much for that bit of benevolent "exclusivity" that Mellotron aficionados perhaps enjoy, that allows u s the quiet (or NOT so) pleasure of turning others on to them!
I moved in February, and have been rebuilding my studio in my basement (a rarity in California!!). Having completed the bulk of the carpentry and finally created the space for keyboards, it gave me immense pleasure to slide my l'il M-400 into its place under the gorgeous MemoryMoog synth that sits on a wooden stand I'd built years ago specifically to fit over the Mellotron. (It's a nice arrangement: the Mellotron is on a small, vintage Ampeg amp dolly that fits perfectly between the feet, and the simple, cherry-stained stand allows me to easily pull it straight out to open it up for whatever purpose - often just to show visitors what it is!) I digress slightly, but the point was the pleasure it gave me to put the Mellotro n in place before anything else went in. That, with my MiniMoog, various guitars (my main instrument), and a little Dokorder 4-track r-to-r, pretty much paved the way to buy everything else in the studio. What an astounding instrument, and as relevant today as ever!
Cheers,
Berington
Berington Van Campen
Van Campen Productions / V.C.MusiCorp Scori ng Services / Sessions
VCMusiCorp1@yahoo.com
The BEATUNES - Beatles Tribute Band
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