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Subject: RE: [newmellotrongroup] Re: 4-Track Mellotron restoration

From: Gary Brumm <gabru@comsec.net>
Date: 2009-10-29

Frank,

 

Do you know anything about the history of this machine or any of the other 3 that were produced (who used them, recordings,etc.)?  This machine has always intrigued me and seemed a better design than the 400 (fixed heads, etc.).  Have you ever seen one of the T.550s (400 built into a road case)?

 

Gary

 

From: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com [mailto:newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of lsf5275@aol.com
Sent: Wednesday, October 28, 2009 9:22 PM
To: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [newmellotrongroup] Re: 4-Track Mellotron restoration

 

As I have finally started to dig into this machine, I have discovered that there is a lot to like about it. I really think that this would have been a great machine for a touring band, or in the studio.

 

It's lighter than a standard Mellotron

 

It's sturdier than a standard Mellotron

 

It has four tracks instead of three.

It takes any standard tape frame but uses 1/4 inch tape.

 

Any of the four tracks can be mixed with any other in any combination

including all four at the same time.

 

Each track has its own separate controls for volume, EQ and panning left-right.

 

 

I think it is unfortunate that this model never made it into mass production. I think it would have been immensely popular (for a Mellotron) if they hadn't gone out of vogue.

 

It uses a standard motor as can be seen in the photos, but the capstan and pinch rollers are slightly smaller in diameter than a standard M-400. This may or may not be a design flaw. I don't know yet because it was so whacked when it came into the shop that it was nearly impossible to play. The rollers appear to be in good shape and they spin freely, but the machine was so filthy and poorly adjusted and the tapes are in such poor condition that it wasn't really very easy to play.

 

Here are some photos for comparison to what we all know and love.

 

This is how it looked upon arrival a while back. It's been in my shop since May.

Here are the controls. The black buttons are on/off for each track. Pitch is on the left.

Inside

Inside the power pack. That is an SMS-3 toward the front.

The keyboard frame is one giant piece of stamped aluminum.

Keyboard frame with pressure pads...

...and without.

Notice that the motor is not riveted. bolting a motor together is a pain in the ass, trust me. Each bolt has to be correctly torqued. Even the slightest error will cause the shaft to bind, amp draw to increase and the motor to burn out.

I have no idea what that crap is on the flywheel, but it was a bitch to get off!

Here is the main frame nearly torn all the way down. Also one big piece of stamped aluminum.

Head block

Close up of 4 track heads. No azimuths to adjust. Those collars are locked in place.

The whole thing was pretty much of a filthy mess (as most are when I get them). Those are line out jacks on the right side of the photo

See, just like every other Mellotron...

 

So there you have it... A few photos exposing the "Dangerous Maytag."

 

 

Frank