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

I believe he (Wakeman) talks about it in a Mellotron documentary he was in.  I don’t know if it is true but he certainly has distanced himself from the instrument

as did Tony Banks, Ian McDonald, Robert Fripp, and just about every other successful musician responsible for the Mellotron being known.  None of them

still use them as they are easily replaced by samplers.  Most of the Mellotron recordings relied on playback through reverb, guitar amp, chorus, etc. and not the direct

sound of the instrument alone.  The Hammond/Leslie has not been recreated successfully until the XK-1/XK-3 series bu t the Mellotron was replaced by

more reliable samplers long ago.  Due to its limited bandwidth (which is what makes it sound so unique) even earlier samplers did a good job with it.  The short

duration of the notes certainly contributed to a style of playing that we otherwise may have never seen.  I know I am going to get slammed for saying such

things so let me get this out beforehand….I love the Mellotron!  It is responsible for getting me to listen to a more diverse selection of music.  I didn’t get on

this list to bash it in any way….I just see the instrument as an important part of music histor y and I am glad to see people like Frank restoring them to “better than new” 

condition.  You can appreciate what they are without ignoring their limitations.  I love the “sound” and appreciate the instrument that created it….remember that

as you pelt me with your attacks……

Cheers,

Gary