Mellotronists

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--- In Mellotronists@yahoogroups.com, "jonesalley" <jonesalley@...>
wrote:

>
> I managed to pick up an interesting keyboard a while back. It's an

Ace Tone Top 5 combo organ with one four-octave manual, it's garish
red and white with screw-on stainless steel legs, it only makes five
sounds and generally speaking is the kind of instrument that I can't
stand. I paid way more than it's worth, but I would have gladly paid
even more than I did to own it.

>
> It's where I began turning into me. It's the very first instrument

I ever played on stage in a rock band, back in the winter of 1969.
Not one like it, but the exact same one. It was owned by the guy who
played bass and ran the band, and I borrowed it on and off for four
or five years in the 70's until I finally started getting some real
keyboards of my own.

>
> Even with the collection I have amassed in the meantime, I have

wondered about this humble little instrument all these decades and a
few months ago I decided to see if I could track it down. I succeeded
and it's home with me now for good. Amazingly, it seems to have been
in a time capsule and it looks like nobody has even played it since
the last time I did, it just sat in closets all these years. The
little black scuff mark that I accidentally made on the cover looks
like it just happened yesterday.

>
> And now it's mine. Forever. I almost cried when I opened the box

and saw it for the first time in thirty years. I still can't look at
it without getting a lump in my throat, and I've had it here for a
couple of weeks now.

>
> I feel like I just married my high school sweetheart. And she is

exactly the same as she was the last time I saw her.

Got photos???
Lee

>

Jonesy,
Nice story-wish I still had my first-Wurlitzer E.Piano w/speaker box
that had 4-8"speakers-beige in color-circa '65.
Pete

jonesalley wrote:

> I managed to pick up an interesting keyboard a while back. It's an Ace
> Tone Top 5 combo organ with one four-octave manual, it's garish red
> and white with screw-on stainless steel legs, it only makes five
> sounds and generally speaking is the kind of instrument that I can't
> stand. I paid way more than it's worth, but I would have gladly paid
> even more than I did to own it.
>
> It's where I began turning into me. It's the very first instrument I
> ever played on stage in a rock band, back in the winter of 1969. Not
> one like it, but the exact same one. It was owned by the guy who
> played bass and ran the band, and I borrowed it on and off for four or
> five years in the 70's until I finally started getting some real
> keyboards of my own.
>
> Even with the collection I have amassed in the meantime, I have
> wondered about this humble little instrument all these decades and a
> few months ago I decided to see if I could track it down. I succeeded
> and it's home with me now for good. Amazingly, it seems to have been
> in a time capsule and it looks like nobody has even played it since
> the last time I did, it just sat in closets all these years. The
> little black scuff mark that I accidentally made on the cover looks
> like it just happened yesterday.
>
> And now it's mine. Forever. I almost cried when I opened the box and
> saw it for the first time in thirty years. I still can't look at it
> without getting a lump in my throat, and I've had it here for a couple
> of weeks now.
>
> I feel like I just married my high school sweetheart. And she is
> exactly the same as she was the last time I saw her.
>

God, I love these stories.
I experienced the same to a slightly lesser degree:
It was a late-50's Sonola amp (a moniker used, in this
case as an alternate naming for Guild when sold with
the Sonola accordion line). Sweet 20 watts, Jensen
P12R, four inputs with four very different sounds and
a tremolo that made me cry. This was the first amp
that I ever recorded as an engineer, my first session,
my first record. I pleaded with the guy to sell it to
me but to no avail and it sailed right out the door
the same day.
The owner continued to be a friend and client for
years and never mentioned that he still even had it.
15 years later he was working in a music store I
frequent. I walked in and he said, "Oh, I have a
present for, you.." and dashed downstairs. He comes
up holding the Sonola and told me I could have it.
He'd blown the output transformer and didn't feel like
getting it fixed. I immediately brought it to my tech.
$65 and one tube later it was glorious and it is an
often-used favorite amp in my studio to this day.
It's wonderful when gear comes back around. Back in
2005, I posted a message about my first 'tron, hoping
it could be found. I still have the posting. But
there just wasn't enough info as I had no serial #. I
would love to hear more stories about "fated" gear if
anybody has any.
Congratulations on your reunion!
-Jack


<jonesalley@...> wrote:

> I managed to pick up an interesting keyboard a while
> back. It's an Ace Tone Top 5 combo organ with one
> four-octave manual, it's garish red and white with
> screw-on stainless steel legs, it only makes five
> sounds and generally speaking is the kind of
> instrument that I can't stand. I paid way more than
> it's worth, but I would have gladly paid even more
> than I did to own it.
>
> It's where I began turning into me. It's the very
> first instrument I ever played on stage in a rock
> band, back in the winter of 1969. Not one like it,
> but the exact same one. It was owned by the guy who
> played bass and ran the band, and I borrowed it on
> and off for four or five years in the 70's until I
> finally started getting some real keyboards of my
> own.
>
> Even with the collection I have amassed in the
> meantime, I have wondered about this humble little
> instrument all these decades and a few months ago I
> decided to see if I could track it down. I succeeded
> and it's home with me now for good. Amazingly, it
> seems to have been in a time capsule and it looks
> like nobody has even played it since the last time I
> did, it just sat in closets all these years. The
> little black scuff mark that I accidentally made on
> the cover looks like it just happened yesterday.
>
> And now it's mine. Forever. I almost cried when I
> opened the box and saw it for the first time in
> thirty years. I still can't look at it without
> getting a lump in my throat, and I've had it here
> for a couple of weeks now.
>
> I feel like I just married my high school
> sweetheart. And she is exactly the same as she was
> the last time I saw her.
>

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Great story...

And I know that feeling... Over 23 years ago, I was the proud owner
of a gorgeous black Rickenbacker 4001 (just like Geddy) that I
acquired with the top quality road case for the ridiculous sum of
$400. three or four years later, tough financial times made me part
with all my musical instruments, including a Les Paul, 6 or 7 Boss
effects pedals and my beautiful Ricky (which I sold with the case for
a mere $600)...

How I deeply regret to have sold off that bass... it was such a warm,
comfortable, elegant thing and nowadays, every time I see one at a
concert, I get this little feeling of nostalgy and sadness. On the
other hand, I have to admit that I really sucked as a guitar and/or
bass player, but still...

Robert in Montreal

On 2-Nov-07, at 9:28 AM, Jack Younger wrote:

> God, I love these stories.
> I experienced the same to a slightly lesser degree:
> It was a late-50's Sonola amp (a moniker used, in this
> case as an alternate naming for Guild when sold with
> the Sonola accordion line). Sweet 20 watts, Jensen
> P12R, four inputs with four very different sounds and
> a tremolo that made me cry. This was the first amp
> that I ever recorded as an engineer, my first session,
> my first record. I pleaded with the guy to sell it to
> me but to no avail and it sailed right out the door
> the same day.
> The owner continued to be a friend and client for
> years and never mentioned that he still even had it.
> 15 years later he was working in a music store I
> frequent. I walked in and he said, "Oh, I have a
> present for, you.." and dashed downstairs. He comes
> up holding the Sonola and told me I could have it.
> He'd blown the output transformer and didn't feel like
> getting it fixed. I immediately brought it to my tech.
> $65 and one tube later it was glorious and it is an
> often-used favorite amp in my studio to this day.
> It's wonderful when gear comes back around. Back in
> 2005, I posted a message about my first 'tron, hoping
> it could be found. I still have the posting. But
> there just wasn't enough info as I had no serial #. I
> would love to hear more stories about "fated" gear if
> anybody has any.
> Congratulations on your reunion!
> -Jack
>
>
> <jonesalley@...> wrote:
>
>> I managed to pick up an interesting keyboard a while
>> back. It's an Ace Tone Top 5 combo organ with one
>> four-octave manual, it's garish red and white with
>> screw-on stainless steel legs, it only makes five
>> sounds and generally speaking is the kind of
>> instrument that I can't stand. I paid way more than
>> it's worth, but I would have gladly paid even more
>> than I did to own it.
>>
>> It's where I began turning into me. It's the very
>> first instrument I ever played on stage in a rock
>> band, back in the winter of 1969. Not one like it,
>> but the exact same one. It was owned by the guy who
>> played bass and ran the band, and I borrowed it on
>> and off for four or five years in the 70's until I
>> finally started getting some real keyboards of my
>> own.
>>
>> Even with the collection I have amassed in the
>> meantime, I have wondered about this humble little
>> instrument all these decades and a few months ago I
>> decided to see if I could track it down. I succeeded
>> and it's home with me now for good. Amazingly, it
>> seems to have been in a time capsule and it looks
>> like nobody has even played it since the last time I
>> did, it just sat in closets all these years. The
>> little black scuff mark that I accidentally made on
>> the cover looks like it just happened yesterday.
>>
>> And now it's mine. Forever. I almost cried when I
>> opened the box and saw it for the first time in
>> thirty years. I still can't look at it without
>> getting a lump in my throat, and I've had it here
>> for a couple of weeks now.
>>
>> I feel like I just married my high school
>> sweetheart. And she is exactly the same as she was
>> the last time I saw her.
>>
>
>
> __________________________________________________
> Do You Yahoo!?
> Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around
> http://mail.yahoo.com
>
>
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>

One of these acetone organs is on Ebay right now!
--- Roddenberry <robertda@...> wrote:

> Great story...
>
> And I know that feeling... Over 23 years ago, I was
> the proud owner
> of a gorgeous black Rickenbacker 4001 (just like
> Geddy) that I
> acquired with the top quality road case for the
> ridiculous sum of
> $400. three or four years later, tough financial
> times made me part
> with all my musical instruments, including a Les
> Paul, 6 or 7 Boss
> effects pedals and my beautiful Ricky (which I sold
> with the case for
> a mere $600)...
>
> How I deeply regret to have sold off that bass... it
> was such a warm,
> comfortable, elegant thing and nowadays, every time
> I see one at a
> concert, I get this little feeling of nostalgy and
> sadness. On the
> other hand, I have to admit that I really sucked as
> a guitar and/or
> bass player, but still...
>
> Robert in Montreal
>
>
> On 2-Nov-07, at 9:28 AM, Jack Younger wrote:
>
> > God, I love these stories.
> > I experienced the same to a slightly lesser
> degree:
> > It was a late-50's Sonola amp (a moniker used, in
> this
> > case as an alternate naming for Guild when sold
> with
> > the Sonola accordion line). Sweet 20 watts,
> Jensen
> > P12R, four inputs with four very different sounds
> and
> > a tremolo that made me cry. This was the first
> amp
> > that I ever recorded as an engineer, my first
> session,
> > my first record. I pleaded with the guy to sell
> it to
> > me but to no avail and it sailed right out the
> door
> > the same day.
> > The owner continued to be a friend and client for
> > years and never mentioned that he still even had
> it.
> > 15 years later he was working in a music store I
> > frequent. I walked in and he said, "Oh, I have a
> > present for, you.." and dashed downstairs. He
> comes
> > up holding the Sonola and told me I could have it.
> > He'd blown the output transformer and didn't feel
> like
> > getting it fixed. I immediately brought it to my
> tech.
> > $65 and one tube later it was glorious and it is
> an
> > often-used favorite amp in my studio to this day.
> > It's wonderful when gear comes back around. Back
> in
> > 2005, I posted a message about my first 'tron,
> hoping
> > it could be found. I still have the posting. But
> > there just wasn't enough info as I had no serial
> #. I
> > would love to hear more stories about "fated" gear
> if
> > anybody has any.
> > Congratulations on your reunion!
> > -Jack
> >
> >
> > <jonesalley@...> wrote:
> >
> >> I managed to pick up an interesting keyboard a
> while
> >> back. It's an Ace Tone Top 5 combo organ with one
> >> four-octave manual, it's garish red and white
> with
> >> screw-on stainless steel legs, it only makes five
> >> sounds and generally speaking is the kind of
> >> instrument that I can't stand. I paid way more
> than
> >> it's worth, but I would have gladly paid even
> more
> >> than I did to own it.
> >>
> >> It's where I began turning into me. It's the very
> >> first instrument I ever played on stage in a rock
> >> band, back in the winter of 1969. Not one like
> it,
> >> but the exact same one. It was owned by the guy
> who
> >> played bass and ran the band, and I borrowed it
> on
> >> and off for four or five years in the 70's until
> I
> >> finally started getting some real keyboards of my
> >> own.
> >>
> >> Even with the collection I have amassed in the
> >> meantime, I have wondered about this humble
> little
> >> instrument all these decades and a few months ago
> I
> >> decided to see if I could track it down. I
> succeeded
> >> and it's home with me now for good. Amazingly, it
> >> seems to have been in a time capsule and it looks
> >> like nobody has even played it since the last
> time I
> >> did, it just sat in closets all these years. The
> >> little black scuff mark that I accidentally made
> on
> >> the cover looks like it just happened yesterday.
> >>
> >> And now it's mine. Forever. I almost cried when I
> >> opened the box and saw it for the first time in
> >> thirty years. I still can't look at it without
> >> getting a lump in my throat, and I've had it here
> >> for a couple of weeks now.
> >>
> >> I feel like I just married my high school
> >> sweetheart. And she is exactly the same as she
> was
> >> the last time I saw her.
> >>
> >
> >
> > __________________________________________________
> > Do You Yahoo!?
> > Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam
> protection around
> > http://mail.yahoo.com
> >
> >
> >
> > Yahoo! Groups Links
> >
> >
> >
>
>

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Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around
http://mail.yahoo.com

Hell, Jon, I almost cried reading it.
john b

--- In Mellotronists@yahoogroups.com, "jonesalley" <jonesalley@...> wrote:
>
> And now it's mine. Forever. I almost cried when I opened the box and
saw it for the first time in thirty years. I still can't look at it
without getting a lump in my throat, and I've had it here for a couple
of weeks now.

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

From: john barrick

To: Mellotronists@yahoogroups.com

Sent: Friday, November 02, 2007 1:56 PM

Subject: [Mellotronists] Re: off-topic, but I just have to share it

Hell, Jon, I almost cried reading it.
john b

--- In Mellotronists@ yahoogroups. com, "jonesalley" <jonesalley@ ...> wrote:
>
> And now it's mine. Forever. I almost cried when I opened the box and
saw it for the first time in thirty years. I still can't look at it
without getting a lump in my throat, and I've had it here for a couple
of weeks now.

No virus found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG Free Edition.
Version: 7.5.503 / Virus Database: 269.15.19/1105 - Release Date: 11/2/2007 11:04 AM

I can certainly sympathize, Jimmy.  I was the original owner of a sunburst Gibson Firebird VII bought for me in 1966 by my grandmother for $300.00 USD.  It left my possession in a post-divorce sale in 1986 for a measly $800.00.  I have permanent self-inflicted bruises on my ass as well...and I'm NOT a masochist!

I'll bet we all have multiple stories about the "one that got away".

Frank Samagaio


-----Original Message-----
From: JMoore6397@...
To: e4103s@...; jonesalley@...; Mellotronists@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Fri, 2 Nov 2007 1:21 pm
Subject: Re: [Mellotronists] off-topic, but I just have to share it

I sold my Fender Vibro Champ in 1986 for $35. I see them now going for
between $550 - 900. I also sold my Vox Continental at the same time for
$150. I'll never see that thing again.

john barrick




MAinPsych@... wrote:

> *I can certainly sympathize, Jimmy. I was the original owner of a
> sunburst Gibson Firebird VII bought for me in 1966 by my grandmother
> for $300.00 USD. It left my possession in a post-divorce sale in 1986
> for a measly $800.00. I have permanent self-inflicted bruises on my
> ass as well...and I'm NOT a masochist!
>
> I'll bet we all have multiple stories about the "one that got away".
>
> Frank Samagaio
> *
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: JMoore6397@...
> To: e4103s@...; jonesalley@...; Mellotronists@yahoogroups.com
> Sent: Fri, 2 Nov 2007 1:21 pm
> Subject: Re: [Mellotronists] off-topic, but I just have to share it
>
> I had bought a used Gibson black Les Paul fretless wonder with gold
> appointments and 3 pickups in 1968.The guts had the old yellow Bumble
> Bee Electronics and yellowed binding My Fathers friend sold it to me
> for 250.00 USD. However, there is no happy ending to my story other
> than me kicking my ass every time I think about it. (thats at least
> 25X's a day)
>
> Jimmy Moore
>
>
>
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