Mellotronists

brian carney wrote:

>
> Has anyone on the board here Stateside shipped or air-freighted their
> Mellotron from the US to the Streetly gentlemen for refurbishing?  If
> so, what was the ballpark figure for delivery and packaging costs?  If
> someone on the board has done the transatlantic repair delivery, did
> you crate or Anvil-road case the Mellotron?  I have dreamed of getting
> my Tron sounding the way it should, and after years of just user
> maintenance (keyboard adjustments, that sort of thing), I am convinced
> that it needs the full restoration and go-over (tape head azimuth,
> bent pad spring angles corrected, EMI tape stock, all parts aligned
> flush in the cabinet, power supply and motor card re-capped, that sort
> of thing).  Of course, since Streetly will be producing new units on
> order, I would like to gauge which is more cost-efficient - a
> restoration and round-trip freight for my current Tron or buy a new
> one with only one-way freight.  (not that I really have the funds for
> either alternative, just would like to know which would come out
> costing me less)...
>
Brian, I sent my MKII to the Streetlys two years ago and the freight was
about $1200 Canadian (that's abotu $29.95US). I had a road case made for
it, but I wanted that anyway. Mind you it's easily 2.5 times bigger than
a 400 in a case and weighs 325 pounds (plus the case). I'll bet you can
do it a lot cheaper. The case is certainly a worthwhile investment since
it will increase the value of the instrument if you ever decide to sell
it. We're not even talking about you wanting to move it!

Having the Streetly lads restore it is a very smart move to make since
it will come back like new. Martinge will even throw in a bag of crisps
if you ask. Speak to them and they'll be able to give you a ballpark
figure for restoration and make your decision from there. Speak to Fritz
and Ken Merbler because they both own Streetly restored 400s.

Cheers,

Rick