Mellotronists

----- Original Message -----

From: John Beresford

To: mellotronists@yahoogroups.com

Sent: Wednesday, June 21, 2006 1:01 PM

Subject: [Mellotronists] Strawbs trons

John

I had good fortune to spend a few minutes talking to Dave Cousins and John Hawken last night prior to a gig and I asked about the trons. Dave said they had the 2 M400’s painted black during most of the mid 70’s (one of which I have) but then said they also had one of the big twin manuals one’s as well. John nodded and said “oh yes that was the really heavy one”. I asked if it was a MkV and Dave yes he thought so. This was a bit of a surprise but unfortunately I didn’t get the chance to ask any more. Does anyone know if they did have a Mk V or MkII? If they did when did they use it? John is using the Pinder samples on stage but he blends them with something else.

Good point: rear sleeve of 'Burning For You', you can see the MkV to the right of the pic. Now, this raises a pertinent question: I keep reading that 'there were only 35 MkVs ever built' or somesuch, so how is it that loads seem to be accounted for? Strawbs, Klaus Schulze, Tangs, Pinder had two... the list goes on. There must've been one in Sweden, as Anekdoten bought it in the early '90s, later selling it to Pär Lindh... Surely they didn't all go to high-profile users? Were there a lot more built than rumoured? BTW, Cousins must groan when anyone says 'Mellotron' to him - I spoke to him at a recent-ish gig, and asked him him about the 'Tron' on their last two albums. M-Tron, apparently.

Andy T.