Mellotronists

Hey Everyone,
Don't mean to waste your time with this folks but I've just joined 
this forum as a big fan of this wonderful creation we all know and 
refer to as the Mellotron. You see I've fell in love with those 
orchestrated sounds heard on such albums as "In A Threshold Of A 
Dream" by the Moody Blues and "In The Court Of The Crimson King" by 
King Crimson as a youngster. Now in my early thirties, I've decided 
to get a grip on myself, come back down to reality and try to locate 
and obtain a 'tron of my very own.

I'm a musician that fronts a rock group primarly playing guitar but 
have owned a number of diffent keyboards such as a Rhodes, Wurly, Vox 
Continental, Farfisa, Moogs, etc. But as fate whould have it I have 
never been blessed with an old Mellotron of my own (go figure). I 
plan on writing music soon utilizing one so I need help locating one.

The 'tron that my heart is set on is the vintage MKII because I 
believe that's what was used on late 60's releases by the Moodies and 
Crimson. The problem (or solution) is I live in Southern California 
and don't run into many of them here. I understand that newer 
versions of the Mellotron have been released but don't know how they 
stack up to the older versions. I'm no 'tron expert by any means 
(like I said I'm a newbie).

My question is what is the price range for a working vintage MKII and 
how difficult is it to locate one today? I've tried eBay but hardly 
ever see one up for grabs. Yeah, I'm aware that not many were produce 
(a few hundred or whatever) but I still want one regardless. If not I 
would have to settle for one of new ones (better than nothing) as 
long if they're still making tapes that will make it sound virtually 
identical to the classic MKII. Any help or suggestions would be 
greatly welcomed.

BTW, Anyone know the survival rate for a MKII? (in other words how 
many are left now) 

Thanks,
Eric