Mellotronists

I can only relate my first-hand experience:  I waited for years, 
encouraged by people saying things like "yup - they turn up 
occasionally and can be had for a reasonable sum if you find the 
right situation."  Well, I guess I don't run with the right crowd, 
cause the only ones I ever saw turn up were on eBay and they almost 
always went for top dollar - it's the nature of eBay.

I finally got one (via eBay) last January, and paid top dollar of 
course (you can probably look it up) - with absolutely no regrets.  
When all is said and done, after I finish restoring it, it will have 
cost more than if I had just bought a refurbished unit from Streetly 
(less shipping), but it was the process as much as the instrument 
itself that I was looking for.

The good news is that they don't appear to be going down in value.

Good luck.  -Jamie