Mellotronists

Well,

It was interesting to read Robert L's account of the mysterious 4 track, however we have to make a few observations here. We've worked on this very machine(RL's) extremely recently and below are the notes on some crucial areas made prior to servicing the machine.

Keyboard - terrible shallow action, very heavy. Keys very uneven in height.
Pads - set too far forward. Very slow coming in. Adjust back for good head contact.
Rollers - look like 8 track cartridge rollers. Soft. Slow to come up to speed
Keyframe - bowing. Strengthen with straps at back under roller clamp bar( the bowing meant that any adjustment on pads and rollers was negated by pressing down keys further away)
Capstan - wowing. (you can suspect a bent capstan by a pulsing friction sound as it revolves against the tape storage box felt) The capstan was found to have a very bad deflection when tested with a dial test indicator. It was changed for another.
SMS3 - mounted incorrectly for air circulation around heatsink. No ventilation holes anywhere!!!!! Ugh.

To be honest, this machine, as presented, was one of the worst playing trons we've ever met. However, the mixing and eq facility was going to be impressive once the duff channel was reconnected(wire fatigue due to solid cable and not braded being used). And it was.

There were numerous other misalignments and shortcomings. Now, this is not to damn the machine because it was really only a prototype stage when the axe fell. Four machines was not a lot and the Bowmar guys would have got it right but they needed more time and it ran out too early. Production produces rethinks, almost inevitably. This happened with MKIIs. You can always hear JB say "well I've never seen that before" everytime we restore one of these machines. So RL, we do think it was a great idea but it was far from right and if you really think it out performed all the mellotrons you've owned, then you've owned some shockers.

Best,

Martin and JB's notes
Streetly Electronics - all things MELLOTRONIC - click this link..........

US East Coast Agent: Jimmy Moore - JMoore6397@...

Gentlemen,

I have only played a couple dozen trons in my life, but I am still amazed at the durability and consistency of my machine. All I do is clean and demag periodically and make sure it is in a stable climate and it always performs. Maybe once every six months I tweak a note due to the change of seasons (guitarists should be use to this concept) My machine requires no warm up time. My Streetly rebuilt machine is like a rock and it is more reliable than my trusty Strat.

Fritz M400#1697....

Yeah, but I bet the power pack was alright!

Mike

>
> Keyboard - terrible shallow action, very heavy. Keys very uneven in height.
> Pads - set too far forward. Very slow coming in. Adjust back for good head
> contact.
> Rollers - look like 8 track cartridge rollers. Soft. Slow to come up to
> speed
> Keyframe - bowing. Strengthen with straps at back under roller clamp bar(
> the bowing meant that any adjustment on pads and rollers was negated by
> pressing down keys further away)
> Capstan - wowing. (you can suspect a bent capstan by a pulsing friction sound
> as it revolves against the tape storage box felt) The capstan was found to
> have a very bad deflection when tested with a dial test indicator. It was
> changed for another.
> SMS3 - mounted incorrectly for air circulation around heatsink. No
> ventilation holes anywhere!!!!! Ugh.

Dear All,

Mellotrons vary a lot. My first one, the EMI started out playing quite badly and for years I thought this was the way they all were.

After a serious Streetly rebuild things improved to the extent that the original owner thought it was a new machine. However it was still fussy as to the tape you could put through it, strangely it worked best with EMI tape.

The M400 that I now have was built as a one-off prototype and is the best one I have ever come across. It has a much brighter top end and will play any tape stock that you put through it. So it looks like this is the one I will have for the rest of my life...

My point is that all Mellotrons (in fact any hand-built instrument) will be in its own way be a little bit unique although all should work to a certain standard. In my experience the duff machines are those that have been badly maintained or neglected.

All the best,
Norm

Hi Norm,
I'm curious to know in what way is your present M400 different.
John

> Dear All,
>
> Mellotrons vary a lot. My first one, the EMI started out playing quite
> badly and for years I thought this was the way they all were.
>
> After a serious Streetly rebuild things improved to the extent that
> the original owner thought it was a new machine. However it was still
> fussy as to the tape you could put through it, strangely it worked
> best with EMI tape.
>
> The M400 that I now have was built as a one-off prototype and is the
> best one I have ever come across. It has a much brighter top end and
> will play any tape stock that you put through it. So it looks like
> this is the one I will have for the rest of my life...
>
> My point is that all Mellotrons (in fact any hand-built instrument)
> will be in its own way be a little bit unique although all should work
> to a certain standard. In my experience the duff machines are those
> that have been badly maintained or neglected.
>
> All the best,
> Norm
>

john,

Different shaped case that is vinyl covered, different PSU that takes a standard IEC connector. Handles at the rear to make it easier to lift, strengthened case making it stiffer, SMS2 speed control (not standard when it was new)

Label on rear states that it was manufactured by 'Bradmatics'.

Apparently a red one was made at the same time but was converted back to a normal one and the case was scrapped.

Norm

> strengthened case making it stiffer

As opposed to what? As Mr Smith will attest, my bog standard M400
survived being chucked onto a garden path.

Mike Dickson (tron@...) M400 #996
The Official Cynic of Streetly Electronics
Streetly Sample Library http://www.blackcat.demon.co.uk/tron/

I find that Mellotron chucked on to a garden path is an excellent Slug
Repellant. It helps if the Mellotron is in Granulated or Instant form.

CC

>Gosh, why would you chuck a Mellotron onto a garden path in the first place?
>Were you having a Wakeman attack?
>
>Jon E Salley
>MiloJohnson@...
>M400 #886
>
>
>> As opposed to what? As Mr Smith will attest, my bog standard M400
>> survived being chucked onto a garden path.
>>
>> Mike Dickson (tron@...) M400 #996
>> The Official Cynic of Streetly Electronics
>> Streetly Sample Library http://www.blackcat.demon.co.uk/tron/
>
>
>
>
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In a message dated 05/07/02 05:23:36 GMT Daylight Time, tron@... writes:

strengthened case making it stiffer

As opposed to what? As Mr Smith will attest, my bog standard M400
survived being chucked onto a garden path.

I'm not saying the standard case is thin and weedy but this one has even more stiffening especially around the joints. It also seems to covered in black formica on the bits where the black vinyl has worn through.

Norm

> > As opposed to what? As Mr Smith will attest, my bog standard M400
> > survived being chucked onto a garden path.
>
> I'm not saying the standard case is thin and weedy but this one has
> even more stiffening especially around the joints.

Sounds like my grandmother.

> It also seems to covered in black formica on the bits where the black
> vinyl has worn through.

Now whatever happened to formica? Did they ditch all other trade to
concentrate on the Greasy Spoon cafe market? I'm sure any former
bathroom fitters round here (ahem) might be able to give us an answer.

Mike Dickson (tron@...) M400 #996
The Official Cynic of Streetly Electronics
Streetly Sample Library http://www.blackcat.demon.co.uk/tron/