Mellotronists

Hi John and All,

On the Strawbs "Live at Chiswick House" DVD, they used a white M400 
and a black M400. Does anyone know the source of these Trons?

Bernie


--- In Mellotronists@yahoogroups.com, "John Beresford" 
<j.k.beresford@s...> wrote:
> Hi all,
> I'll own up to being the purchaser of the ex-strawbs M400 that 
came 
> up on ebay in may. I had extensive talks with the seller about the 
> condition and history of the unit before I put in my bid. Although 
> the cabinet looked bad at first glance (and the photo on ebay was 
> particularly poor) in reality it just needed the black paint 
sanding 
> off, a few holes filling in, the edges relipping, the base 
> strengthening and a respray. This is nearly all done and it's in 
its 
> undercoat as we speak and coming on nicely. Mechanically and 
> electrically it's fine - a bit stiff through dirt and years of 
> inactivity but it all works well except for some crackly pots. And 
> it has an SMS2 mounted on the power supply case. The Strawbs story 
> is that in 1978 they dumped their 2 trons in a music store in 
> Hitchen UK following their tour of that year. The previous owner 
> bought the newest of the two (1973 model no.992) and has had it 
ever 
> since. The tape frame is M400 violins, MkII brass and 8 choir 
> original tapes and has the original Strawbs label identifying it 
as 
> frame no. 4. I'm trying to confirm this story with John Hawken and 
> Dave Cousins but they are on tour at the moment. I've taken lots 
of 
> pics and I'll post them on the website as restoration progresses.
> 
> Cheers
> John
> M300/005, M400 992