Archive of the former Yahoo!Groups mailing list: The Mellotron Group

Hello All,

This is just a quick note to share my experience about purchasing M400S #911. It's no secret that Frank had the Tron and did the restoration work, but I wanted to check with Frank first to see if it was ok to discuss publicly, you know privacy and all that.

I purchased the Tron not to collect, but rather to play. My background is as a guitarist rather than a keyboardist and actually have been playing more Hard Bop jazz the past several years rather than Prog. I have my son to thank for re-kindling the passion for Progressive rock. Hell, a year ago, I didn't even know about the Flower Kings. I know it seems odd to love Wes Montgomery, Grant Green, Genesis, and Anglagard at the same time, but I love music. To me Wes Montgomery's "Mi Cosa" and Mike Dickson's arrangement and performance of "Adagio For Strings" while about as opposite as you can be genre wise, nevertheless really move me.

I've been hanging around this board about six months and like most of you, check EBay as Trons come up for sale. For a purchase like this, however, I wanted to go directly to someone who has had significant experience with Mellotrons. I met Frank via this list and he and I corresponded offline and were able to strike a deal for #911. My son and I made the road trip back East over Easter weekend to pick up the Tron and meet Frank.

#911 was in the front of Frank's workshop quietly running as we walked into the room. It was the first time I had seen a real Tron up close, except for the small white specs on stages 50 to 100 yards away at all the concerts I'd been to as a teenager. My only playing experience has been from my Roland Juno G. I have the vintage key add on board that has Mellotron samples. I now understand the countless threads about sound, that is, real vs. samplers. What I was unprepared for was the "feel" of playing the Tron mechanical keyboard. It was pretty cool to feel that in my fingertips. The tape frame I have is one of Markus', sounds are 8 voice choir, Mk II strings, and cello.

Frank documented the restoration of #911 from his acquisition from the original owner through the sale to me. He also provided me with the maintenance regimen required to keep her in ship shape. I was also able to see the black Tron and famous blue painted Unicorn Tron. It was interesting to see a Mellotron restored and one in pre-restoration condition; some pretty interesting crud under the hood!

Anyway, public thanks to Frank and his wife for being such gracious hosts to two strangers from the Midwest.

Best,

John
#911