Mellotronists

1. Yes, I caught the joker(s) posting on eBay last summer re: the 
Magnus organs sounding like Mellotrons and going for hefty $$$. They 
left out the word "chord" before "organ". I have a house full of 
these plastic cheapo toys, including the Pianorgan, the momma of all 
chord organs. What horrific deceptive advertising. Pay over $25 and 
you're being taken for a ride. Your corner thrift store has one for 
less.

2. The sound and price controversy regarding Mark 2's & M-400's. I've 
got extra racks of Mk.2 tapes for my M-400. Sounds great. The brass 
in particular is a drop-to-your-knees sound. It's just the Mk2 has 
all the great sounds in one magnificent piece of furniture. I can 
recall Kean getting his refurb Mk2 fresh outta box back in 1992 when 
he lived in Moses Lake, WA after a long journey from the UK...in 
overall mint condition. The aroma from the thing wafted through the 
entire house and established itself. A real time capsule.

3. A few attempted to describe the difference between Chamberlin 
strings and the variances in 'Tron strings. I know the difference, 
but I'm no wordsmith, so I'll step aside and let you musicians and 
those with better hearing to wrestle amongst yourselves. Ask Patrick 
Warren or Mitchell Froom...I'm sure the word "icey" will come up 
often. Remember fifteen years ago when vinyl junkies were pitted 
against the new compact disc technology? They were saying CD's don't 
have the "warm" sound LP's do. I can't tell the difference between 
Folger's & MJB. 

4. Earth & Fire albums can be had first bid being the winner on eBay, 
if you have the patience to sift through all the Earth, Wind & Fire 
listings. $9 for Song Of The Marching Children, such a masterpiece. A 
couple years ago, I came across a Chamberlin Rhythmate offered in 
Atlanta when I typed in the search box "ChamberlAin". I'm sure a few 
wanting Wilt ChamberlAin autographs and cards had a field day too.

5. Best 'tron bands of all time? I agree 100% about Pinder eeking out 
more songs from a Mellotron than any other musician. I'd go as far to 
say that SFF had more Mellotron on their albums than any other group 
out there...hard to argue, the whole thing was exclusive Mellotron. 
Then there was Spring...at times three of them playing 
simultaneously. But the best? So hard to pick faves, since I have 
only a fraction of the albums posted on the not-so-fresh  
mellotron.com site's discography link as it is...