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Nice post and welcome to the “club”.I had a similar, rewarding experience last year when I purchased M400 #872 and thegood Professor Jerry Korb totally rebuilt and restored the machine to top shapeand advised and counseled along the way. A great experience and the fulfillmentof a lifelong dream!
Regards,
Jim Parthun
From:newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com [mailto:newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of jwright10401
Sent: Sunday, April 26, 2009 10:53AM
To:newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [newmellotrongroup] M400S#911
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 Iwanted to check with Frank first to see if it was ok to discuss publicly, youknow privacy and all that.
I purchased the Tron not to collect, but rather to play. My background is as aguitarist rather than a keyboardist and actually have been playing more HardBop jazz the past several years rather than Prog. I have my son to thank forre-kindling the passion for Progressive rock. Hell, a year ago, I didn't evenknow about the Flower Kings. I know it seems odd to love Wes Montgomery, GrantGreen, Genesis, and Anglagard at the same time, but I love music. To me WesMontgomery's "Mi Cosa" and Mike Dickson's arrangement and performanceof "Adagio For Strings" while about as opposite as you can be genrewise, 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, Iwanted to go directly to someone who has had significant experience withMellotrons. I met Frank via this list and he and I corresponded offline andwere able to strike a deal for #911. My son and I made the road trip back Eastover 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 theroom. It was the first time I had seen a real Tron up close, except for the smallwhite specs on stages 50 to 100 yards away at all the concerts I'd been to as ateenager. My only playing experience has been from my Roland Juno G. I have thevintage key add on board that has Mellotron samples. I now understand thecountless threads about sound, that is, real vs. samplers. What I wasunprepared for was the "feel" of playing the Tron mechanicalkeyboard. It was pretty cool to feel that in my fingertips. The tape frame Ihave 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 originalowner through the sale to me. He also provided me with the maintenance regimenrequired to keep her in ship shape. I was also able to see the black Tron andfamous blue painted Unicorn Tron. It was interesting to see a Mellotronrestored and one in pre-restoration condition; some pretty interesting crudunder the hood!
Anyway, public thanks to Frank and his wife for being such gracious hosts totwo strangers from the Midwest.
Best,
John
#911