Mellotronists

In a message dated 11/12/2002 9:55:36 AM Eastern Standard Time, 
jrlaudio@... writes:


> Subj:[Mellotronists] Ok ... So answer me these questions. 
> Date:11/12/2002 9:55:36 AM Eastern Standard Time
> From:<A HREF="mailto:jrlaudio@...">jrlaudio@...</A>
> To:<A HREF="mailto:Mellotronists@yahoogroups.com">Mellotronists@yahoogroups.com</A>
> Sent from the Internet 
> 
> 
> 
> Hi all,
> 
> I own a M400 #427. It is in need of restoration, and I am finally 
> ready to dig in. I have two sets of tapes, one in the 'tron itself 
> and one in a case. 

>I also have the Muff Cover. (Oooooo ... squishy!)


And it will come in handy if you ever have to move it.


> 
> As far as tapes, is Kean the guy. What about Streetly? What are the 
> differences, if any.

Both supply tapes and frames. We Mellotronists are grateful that there are 
two parties who are willing to provide this service (competition is a good 
thing from our point of view) and we should support them both. I've only used 
Streetly's tapes, so I can't comment on DKs.  I'd agree with Clay, that 
Streetly has a good offer for tapes right now (the *tape amnesty* thing).  
Half price for a replacment set on genuine vintage EMI stock (behaves very 
well in Mellotrons), any sounds you want.  Note that you'll need to give up 
your current set to get this.  I just used this EMI tape stock in my MKII 
with excellent results.

 I'm in the US in New York. What about heads? Are 
> 
> they available? Mine are good, but just wondering.

With all of the Mellotronists on this list, and all the playback heads out 
there in our 'trons (35 under each keyboard), I've never heard anyone say 
that they needed to replace a head.  So, it's probably not a big issue.  I'm 
sure that they would be available if you ever needed one.

More likely, you'd need to clean or replace pinch rollers, which can cause 
"wobblies" (excessive pitch variations in the sound).  You can get pinch 
rollers from DK, and I think that Streetly may have some also.  I can usually 
get any sticking pinch rollers going (spinning) by soaking the axles in 
isopropyl alcohol for about 30 seconds or so, then spinning them until dry.  
Actually replacing a pinch roller itself in the steel assembly is more 
difficult, and I've never tied it.  If anyone has done this, I'd like to hear 
how it's done.

 Are these new 
> 
> electronic upgrades that Kean is offering good? What are the noticeable 
> improvements?

Good question.  Has anyone replaced their M400 parts with DKs new parts?  I'm 
assuming that you are talking about the MKVI parts he is offering on his web 
site.

 I could simply > restore what I have now.
> 
> 

Sounds like a good plan of attack.  If you have the old CMC-10 motor control 
board, you may consider upgrading to an SMS-2 (Streetly) or SMS-5 (Keene).  
This takes the whine out of the audio, if you have that problem, and makes it 
so you can play more notes at a time without having it going out of tune 
while holding the chord.  Photos and descriptions of a CMC-10 replacement can 
be found on my web site by clicking the following link:

<A HREF="http://www.tronsounds.com/photos3.htm">http://www.tronsounds.com/photos3.htm</A>

Finally, after doing these things, you'll need to adjust the pinch rollers 
and pressure pads.  An excellent description on how to do this can be found 
on Norm Leete's web site.  Click on the following link:

<A HREF="http://members.aol.com/tronpage/maintain.htm">http://members.aol.com/tronpage/maintain.htm</A>

 
> 
> 
> That should be enough for now, more questions coming.
> 


Sometimes, playing the M400 is the best medicine.  They seem to sound better 
the more that they are played.

Good luck, let us know how it goes.


Ken M.