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Hi all,
About 8 years ago, I purchased an M400. I had it refurbishedthen with the help of many people (mainly Streetly and Frank S.): power supplyrecap, new Streetly tape frame flutes/string/cello, new capstan bearings, newrollers, new pads, new belt, etc. It already had an SMS5 MR when I got it. I wason hiatus for the last 7 years or so (career/family), and am now slowly gettingback into all things Mellotron.
What's the state of discussion on Mellotrons today? Is therea forum? Facebook? Other? Last I knew, there really were only the Yahoo groupsbut activity is quite a bit down, like much of the Yahoo groups over the last 7years or so.
Speaking of which, I only knew of the three: Mellotronists,newmellotrongroup and moneypit, in order of the number of posts each of thesegot, it seems to me. And, why the need for three discrete groups? Was theresome kind of rivalry back then? Never did figure that out, seemed one group wouldhave been fine.
Anywho... onto some other questions.
I noticed my M400 has the plastic tabs that support the lidand the hooks of the two in the front are bent down. I never did like thisdesign. Are there metal (brass?) ones (like those that most have) that retrofitwithout having to drill additional holes for mounting? Or new ones to replacethe original plastic? Thought that Streetly had these but again not sure if Ihave to drill new holes. Rather would not do that...
I saw something discussed somewhere about a ground loop inthe original power supply box design. Any info/schems on rewiring? It has aSMS5 MR motor controller, FWIW.
I really got into carefully and thoughtfully tweaking theroller and pad adjustments yesterday (bought these new from Streetly back in2010 or so), big improvement to what it was before. But... after the procedure,I'm finding there's more inconsistency in notes (flute, especially) than Iwould have imagined (and than I would like...), more in the pitch differences between some of the notes, andeven some notes sounding somewhat "ambiguous" wrt pitch (cello, IIRC).Also more “wavering around” a note on some of them (flutes again), again morethan I would have imagined (liked?)... is this the way the MkII (M400) flutes are reallysupposed to sound? Or are my adjustments still not bang on and I still havesome wavering going on?
I saw discussion somewhere regarding "tuned"tapes. I presume this is taking the original masters (which I presume have beendigitized by now for ready copying?) and "auto tuning" them? If soand if these are available, did anyone try these? And if they did, was some of the"mojo" lost? I'm all for inconsistencies, but I feel I am gettingthose anyway from the mechanical/analog nature of the instrument itself and wasthinking that the tapes themselves should be minimized of thoseinconsistencies... But, maybe the overall charm would then be lost ifthe original sounds were dicked with? Opinions welcomed!
Finally, would be interested in buying a tape case for myspare tape frame. Also a Protecta muff cover in good condition.
Thanks,
Chris