Hi Arthur / All:
Well I spent the first part of my trip visiting Dave Biro. I must say he's pretty much moved on from the whole Birotron thing, but he had some meager bits needed to finish my unit that was never completed, so he was very helpful with that considering there was almost nothing to begin with.
We also talked about his history with the machine and with Wakeman. The Birotron was originally meant to be just a personal machine for him. It was never meant to be more than that, but after Wakeman saw it, it went in a totally different direction. It's astonishing to realize the amount of effort that went into getting the Birotron project right, using nothing but the finest technicians, high quality parts, only to have the project meander away. A shame really, but it was to be almost an entire micro-industry - several Birotron models were possible, as were future plans for Birotron lessons for kids with a classical music background. Captain and Tennile, John Paul Jones, Gary Wright, John Lennon, Paul/Linda McCartney, Roger Whittaker etc. etc etc. all wanted one - hard to imagine what seemed like such a sure thing being derailed -can you imagine what it must have been like for these people??
The visit with Richard Chamberlin was also very educational. One of the things I learned is, unlike Mellotrons for which the same techniques can be used to repair several models, Chamberlins are a bit different. There's a little more unexpected adjustment to be done than just pinch rollers/pressure pads. But this helps to make the instrument sound more accurate with certain sounds so it's worth learning (the right way). I've always wondered if there were precise turn adjustments for this like there is for the Mellotron. Turns out there are (I've stumbled onto them), but they can differ from instrument to instrument because they are small variants in the build. Interestingly enough, there was at one point a possiblity of a Chamberlin model for the 80's that included a synth section to extend the length of the sound, but sadly this never happened. It was a tough time for Richard at one point and he also put the Chamberlin business behind him and has moved on. But he also is happy to hear that there is still interest in his father's legacy. We visited Harry's old house. His wife is still alive, and you could almost sense the history (the recording rooms / Lawrence Welks' visits / Bobby Darin's phone calls etc.) in the air there. It's a beautiful place, in a beautiful neighbourhood, preserved from another time.
The visit with Joe Vannelli was also great, and being a fellow Canadian, we spent time catching up with each other, as it had been a few years. He was able to provide me a letter of provenance for the Chamberlin I bought from him, which is something some of you will need when insuring your Mellotron or Chamberlin (especially when the insurance company doesn't believe these things actually exist). At least up here in Canada it seems to be a sticking point with some insurance companies.
The Chamberlin was used on Gino Vannelli's Nightwalkwer album. They used the Cello and Violins sound, but they also recorded their own violin sections on Chamberlin tapes and played them from the machine. This was to smooth out some of the heavy vibrato when used alongside the Cello. The violins were recorded by music students. Joe has lived in the U.S.A since the mid 70's and it's interesting that only now has the area he lives in, started to build and develop. It must have been extremely remote and quiet when he first moved.
I have to say that all of these guys were nothing but gentlemen in the extreme, and that it was a very warm experience to share my passion for their respective machines and the music created with them. They all understand music from both an engineering and musical point of view so one can't help but learn the best of both worlds from each of them.
I have to say I also recall recognizing that same "something" in the personalities of Dave Kean, Jerry Korb, Martin Smith and John Bradley when I met them as well. It's interesting. ..not all these people have met, yet they share something that goes beyond influence.
Let's be thankful for our mellotron list(s) and learn from ALL who contribute and appreciate our "elder statesmen" on the lists (and off) while they are all still with us.
Chris Dale