Out of curiosity... Do they really feel the same way today seeing a similar product ?
John and I are absolutely okay with anyone attempting a digital 'tron and there have been several versions since we did our work many years ago. I still have Norm's plan of attack on reams of paper and when the Memotron arrived it felt like there had been a spy in the cab throughout our meetings!
As previously said on many occasions, there are digital emulations of so many instruments including every model of grand piano going BUT people still buy grand pianos. It's the nuances that are missing from these boxes. What makes a Steinway can only be realised through a Steinway itself. Same goes for a 'tron. And what makes a mellotron sound the way it does is FAR MORE complex than replaying a sample every time you press a key. This is just the tip of the iceberg in making a digital 'tron mellotronic in nature. We have been building M4000s and restoring 'trons all the way through the rise of the Memotron, MTron and the rest. I doubt we have lost many orders from serious mellotron devotees to our digital rivals.
One day maybe we'll bring out the emulation we have modelled but for now we are happy to machine, drill, tap and bolt metal together. It's hard work and each one is sweat and tears but ultimately it's rewarding if not an easy road to great wealth!
Best,
Martin