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.