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

Sounds great, Frank. I only wish I could see the pictures on Yahoo.

Bernie

--- In newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com, lsf5275@... wrote:
>
> I have been steadily trying to get a bunch of Mellotrons done and out of
> the shop. Rather than post everything that is going on, I think that it is
> only worthwhile (and perhaps marginally entertaining) if I put up photos and
> comments about the more challenging ones. This Mellotron is the 2nd one
> I've done since the "Blue Mellotron." I'm not particularly fast these days
> because I've been working harder than ever at trying to keep my regular
> business afloat and at the same time, getting my house ready to sell. Soon I will
> be moving to a new place out in the countryside with a stand alone shop in
> its own building.
>
> So here is #885/674. Yes, two Mellotrons butchered to make one. When it
> came into the shop the floor was rotted out and the right side of the cabinet
> was split front to back about 6 inches up from the bottom. The whole
> cabinet was coming apart at the seems. This one also had the worst keyboard I
> have ever seen. There were son many keys with compound warps that I wasn't
> sure how to get they straight and make them stay that way. Eventually I ended
> up using a technique that it very risky but it worked and I was able to get
> the keys straight.
>
> Here are a few before and after photos for those that can view them. I'll
> put a whole series up on the home page later tonight or tomorrow. If you
> right click and save these they are in much better resolution
>
>
>
>
> This one hides many dark secrets. It is hard to see the warps in the keys
> but they were so bad that keys were stuck together.
>
> Notice the missing fuse? It's duct taped inside the power supply. Sweet!
>
> Pretty much like most I get. Complete with 30 year old dirt and stuff
> spilled all through it.
>
> It not only needed cleaning, but a thorough disinfecting before I could do
> much.
>
> This was the solution to keeping the floor together. Then it got dropped
> and slit the side.
>
> Testing the rebuilt machine
>
> I later ended up repainting the wood for the control panel.
>
> Fitting out the cabinet. The owner did not want the outside painted.
>
> The basement.
>
> This one had to be rewired from the control box to the power supply. Lots
> of burned wiring and the WME 289 & 290 were burned up.
>
> Ready for delivery.
>
> Ready to go home with its owner. Look how excited he is.
>
> This is my shop
>
> It is like a big "L"
>
> 4 work tables
>
> This one is where I spend the most time. Solovox in the background
>
> The wood "rack" speeds things up and is a great place to lace tapes into a
> frame.
>