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Re: [Mellotronists] MK-I/124 "Julia" nearing completion...Follow-Up :

2003-03-05 by Jerry Korb

chris.dale@... wrote:

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>   A special congrats on all the work you've put into that machine
> Jerry. I'm glad to hear it's in it's final stages, not unlike the
> Wakeman MK V we worked on 2 years earlier. I know that feeling and I
> enjoyed revelling in it, knowing that the home stretch was in
> sight. Knowing your dedication I'm sure the work is superlative and I
> look forward to seeing and hearing it sometime.         Cheers and
> Best Wishes  ,
> Chris  ______________________________________________________________
>
> Greetings Chris and everyone,  Many thanks for the nice compliments!
> It's a wonderful feeling looking at the machine and to reflect ,
> "Did I really do that?"  Seems that my Mellotron projects got
> progressively more difficult with each machine.
>
> First, my own M400 (purch. new in 1973).  Piece of cake by comparison.
>
> Then the M300/037. My intro to the "wonderful" world of cycling.
> Next, the JKMK6 . Cabinet and electronics from ground-floor  up.
> And finally, MK1/124 "Julia".  WHEW ! ......
>
> I must also honor a promise made to our dear friend and Mellotron
> virtuoso Pierre Veilleux , to complete audio wiring/testing of his
> MK2/258 in Montreal. That cabinet without any doubt, is the best
> I've seen and heard-of . Even nicer than my restored cab. of Julia.
> Will take some vacation time from work to remain in Montreal 3-4 days
> to accomplish that task.
>
> Special thanks to Martin Smith for the original MK-II R-F-L
> tapes . Sound clarity is so crisp/clear, one can hear the air valves
> being depressed in the Dixieland saxophone accompaniments !
> I can appreciate all the hard work undertaken to precisely record
> and time the 1260 sounds on both drums.
>
> And of course, to TronBrother #1 John Bradley, who assisted my
> endeavour in every aspect. He sent me an original MK-I power-pack
> in exchange for the MK-II unit supplied within. And even more
> interesting, he sent me the SAME  V.F.O. for Julia, which was
> originally in the  KC "Court Of The Crimson King" Mellotron (MK2/113)
> .
>
> What's next ??  Dunno..... I've earned a little break . Now I should
> learn
> to play these things better. Not fun with ten thumbs tied with
> bandages.
> Stay-tuned.  All the best,  JK and entourage........

Re: [Mellotronists] MK-I/124 "Julia" nearing completion...Follow-Up :

2003-03-05 by kenmerb@aol.com

In a message dated 3/5/2003 7:46:53 AM Eastern Standard Time, 
jkorb@... writes:

> 
> >> What's next ??  Dunno..... I've earned a little break . Now I should learn
>>  
>> to play these things better. Not fun with ten thumbs tied with bandages. 
>> Stay-tuned.  All the best,  JK and entourage........
>> 
> 

Yes Jerry, congratulations on your accomplishment with Julia!  Although the 
recent demonstration you put on for KL and I couldn't be fully appreciated 
when heard over the telephone through the layers of electronic and acoustic 
reverb, I know that you've done a great job as you always do.  I'd love to 
come up and hear it myself, but my days as a fellow New Englander are quickly 
coming to a close.  My next Mellotron project will be to move my MKII down to 
Florida with me at the end of the month.  Thank goodness for the flight case, 
I knew it would come in handy someday.

For those interested, Jerry and I also participated in Mellotron "cycling 
races" over the phone that day.  In this case, his MKI beat my MKII easily.  
His MKI took 5 to 6 seconds to cycle between stations.  My MKII - about 26 
seconds was the worst time, although it seems to vary depending on which 
direction you are going and which keyboard is being used.  It has also gotten 
significantly slower (does much more "inching") since I changed my tapes.  
I'll have to adjust this someday - a future project for me.  Let's just say 
that it's good I don't have to gig with my MKII (for so many reasons).  

Congrats, Jerry!  And never forget - the ultimate reason we work on these 
things is so that we can *play* them.  A museum is a good place for light 
bulbs, not Mellotrons.  Maybe you can get back to playing your Mellotrons 
like you did back in North Jersey, when you were in the band with two 
Mellotronists.  That should be your next project after Pierre's machine ;-).

Ken M.