Mellotronists

> Don't just own a Mellotron - USE IT....
>
> Also don't fall into the trap that they 'always sound rough' like I
> used to, with proper maintenance they can sound awesome.

In fact, the best kind of 'proper maintenance' is to use it, and often.
I was away for two weeks once and came back to find my Tron playing
rougher than a badger's arse. And that's very rough indeed. Within a day
or so of playing it on and off it sorted itself out properly.

BTW, I've found that a fairly good rule of thumb (*) is to try playing a
chord on the solo flute. If it sounds at all screechy or discordant then
you have some *tape issues* to sort out. For some reason, this is a very
unforgiving sound that neatly highlights all your instrument's
shortcomings. Of course, it might also mean that you can't play the
damned thing.

(*) I've just discovered the source of this expression. Back in the good
old days when a man could legally beat his wife 'to the point of
correction', he was not allowed to use a stick that was broader than his
thumb, hence the phrase.

Mike Dickson (tron@...) M400 #996
The Official Cynic of Streetly Electronics
Streetly Sample Library http://www.blackcat.demon.co.uk/tron/