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Re: [Mellotronists] Re: Tron on Ebay... report on 1221 - 2nd attempt

2007-03-13 by tronbros@aol.com

In a message dated 13/03/2007 04:26:33 GMT Standard Time, franzs@... writes:

John was able to inspect the machine. How do you buy these things from a long distance?

Jeff

Dear All,

You have to assume that the 'tron on offer is NOT in full working condition and just needs light adjustment. This is NEVER the case. When you buy any mellotron/novatron you must expect to invest in it further to get it to peak performance and this almost certainly involves pinchrollers, pads, headblock service, tapes, service to tape frame, service to audio, probably some type of servo upgrade and almost certainly a new motor. Whether you buy from us, Markus or anyone else is not the issue. It is naive to think an electromechanical device that has hardly been serviced since it was created 35 years ago is going to be anything more than a total disappointment in the first instance.

To sum up, buy any 'tron you can in the prior knowledge that acquiring one is only the first step. There are many more hurdles before it can be truly called a working mellotron.

Best,

Martin

STREETLY ELECTRONICS - All Things Mellotronic
www.mellotronics.co.uk
www.mellotronics.com
US East Coast Agent - Jimmy Moore jmoore6397@...
US West Coast Agent - Paul Cox pjc56@...

Re: [Mellotronists] Re: Tron on Ebay... report on 1221 - 2nd attempt

2007-03-14 by gino wong

I have found in the last year what Martin said is true, you can't use
them for work unless you get a qualified techover or you may end up
borrowing one. What I have also found is that Mellotrons certainly
require less maintenance than a guitar or a tube amplifier and if you
count the electrolytic caps and the absence of tantalum caps. over ten
- fifteen years require less service than almost any other electric
keyboard. Compared to any other pro tape devices ownership is a real
bargain, especially these days.

gw

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On 3/13/07, tronbros@... <tronbros@...> wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> In a message dated 13/03/2007 04:26:33 GMT Standard Time,
> franzs@... writes:
>
>
> John was able to inspect the machine. How do you buy these things from a
> long distance?
> Jeff
>
> Dear All,
>
> You have to assume that the 'tron on offer is NOT in full working condition
> and just needs light adjustment. This is NEVER the case. When you buy any
> mellotron/novatron you must expect to invest in it further to get it to peak
> performance and this almost certainly involves pinchrollers, pads, headblock
> service, tapes, service to tape frame, service to audio, probably some type
> of servo upgrade and almost certainly a new motor. Whether you buy from us,
> Markus or anyone else is not the issue. It is naive to think an
> electromechanical device that has hardly been serviced since it was created
> 35 years ago is going to be anything more than a total disappointment in the
> first instance.
>
> To sum up, buy any 'tron you can in the prior knowledge that acquiring one
> is only the first step. There are many more hurdles before it can be truly
> called a working mellotron.
>
> Best,
>
> Martin
>
> STREETLY ELECTRONICS - All Things Mellotronic
> www.mellotronics.co.uk
> www.mellotronics.com
> US East Coast Agent - Jimmy Moore jmoore6397@...
> US West Coast Agent - Paul Cox pjc56@...