Mellotronists

chris.dale@... wrote:

> Ah yes, a nitpickers chance comes again!!!! Let's have some fun!! It's
> a good question since Mike Pinder discusses the improvements of the MK
> V which were already present in M400s. He states in Frank's book:
> ....."(Streetly) cottoned onto the transistor amplifier cards that I'd
> procured. They were new at the time. These cards were only 2" by 1",
> and 19 volt DC power supply, very clean, and were really good
> transistors. The EQ card followed the NAB curve very, very well. They
> sound just as good as the tubes do,without the microphonic effect."
> Aren't those our typical pre-amp cards under the M400 control panel?!
> Ian McDonald says this: "...But I just don't think they (the 400's)
> sounded the same. The transistorization thinned out the sound and I
> just never cared for them particularly".  Maybe the difference is
> using two keyboards. Obviously there is much more sound colour
> available when playing 2 keyboards as opposed to just one. Regardless,
> we really can't judge one model (the 400)  as inferior unless you've
> played each and every one of them to discern an inferior quality, and
> that's never going to happen at this point. Sound quality now depends
> more on the condition of the tapes/tape heads in each individual
> machine, especially after so many years. Playability/ease of use is
> also an influence. Historically another factor in sound (on albums) is
> the way the machine was recorded in studio (effects, amplification
> etc.). Opinions are also formed by what model one's first mellotron or
> chamberlin encounter was and how positive/negative the experience.
> It's condition/sound influences how other machines compare. Tony
> Banks/Rick Wakeman hated MK II's and preferred the 400's but Mike
> Pinder/Ian McDonald preferred the inverse. And Justin Hayward
> preferred the Chamberlin to the Mellotron during the recording of
> Seventh Sojourn. We can easily generalize about sound and quality of
> one model but when you think of all the variables today - overall
> physical condition, customization, age of original electronics,
> replacement electronics and parts, mechanical vs electronic switches,
> different tape masters, wear of tapes, tape head alignment, tubes,
> transistors, digital vs analog recording of tapes, temperature,
> reliability etc. it now all comes down to a matter of the individual
> instrument in question.  Chris Dale

I think Chris makes some very valid points, but there is one thing that
separates the MkIIs (and I's) from their younger siblings: the feel of
the keyboard. Not having the pressure pads mounted on each key makes a
HUGE difference in the touch of the instrument. I don't know how to
describe it except by using the word "elegant". Chamberlins may sound
wonderful, but (to my mind) their biggest drawback is the keyboard. Its
feel reminds me of those little toy pianos. Sad that Harry didn't take
the time to get that right.

Rick