Mellotronists

Say What!!!

Now people are calling the Streetly guys "assholes?" Well, I for one will 
tell you that they ARE assholes. But they're my kind of assholes... the kind that 
care about first rate work and staunchly defend it. I have known those 
assholes for many years and they've always been straight up with me. I do a lot of 
work rehabbing 400s. I'll put my work up against anyone's. I will also tell you 
that without Martin's and John's support I would not be able to do the job 
that I do. I also pull money out of their pockets. They've sent me business (and 
continue to do so) when they probably could have kept it for themselves. They 
do so knowing that it would be better and more affordable for the Tron owner. 
So I think that makes them selfless assholes too.

They are working on improving the parts that go into these old beasts so that 
they will last many more years. So that makes them dedicated assholes. More 
than once I have called John Bradley in the middle of the night desperate for 
some insight when in a last minute crunch. He's an accessible asshole, that one.

They don't make very much money believe it or not, and they have poured much 
of what they have made into trying to bring entirely new trons to the market. 
I happen to know that Martin Smith is one frugal asshole.

A few months back I had a conversation with Dave Keane. He's a nice enough 
guy. I've had several conversations with him over the years. In the most recent 
one, he told me that he doesn't really care to be involved with the day to day 
operation of Mellotron Archives: it is mostly in Markus Resch's capable 
hands. Years ago he put a lot of himself into it but that time has passed. I know 
Markus. He is a great guy as well. He has also been very supportive of me and 
was of immense help preparing some of the tapes I needed for Anglagard's 
NEARfest show last year. He also is dedicated and builds a very nice Mark VI.

My suggestion to all is to think! We Tron lovers need all the help we can 
get. Mellotrons were made by John Bradley's father and uncles. Were it not for 
them this list would not exist. There is bad blood between the fellows at 
Streetly and Dave Keane. What is behind it is most likely unknown to most of you on 
this list. Leave them to their feelings and the freedom to express them, 
whether you agree or not. Be grateful that they are here for us. 

The bottom (so to speak) line is that to a substantial degree, these two 
assholes are going to determine the survival of the Mellotron. I have never heard 
one complaint about the quality of their work. I have never heard one 
complaint about the quality of their support.

They may be assholes, but they're really nice assholes. And like their 
Mellotron work, if they decide being assholes serves a purpose, you can be sure that 
they will strive to be the very best assholes that they can be.

Frank Stickle (loyal to the survival of the beloved beast)