Mellotronists

David Jacques wrote:

> So I adjusted my keyboard via the Mellotron adjustment instructions and
> now one of my keys is sticking. What's the best way to relieve this
> problem?
>

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Hello David and Gang,   No problem. We've all seen this
either by choice or chance.  Start-over. Back-out on both
screws until the tape doesn't move.  Turn the rear screw
(pinch-roller) slowly Clockwise with key depressed,until
you see movement of tape.

This is my method,a slight variation from the std. procedure,
but seems to work. Once you see tape moving,start to turn
the front screw (pad-arm) slowly clockwise,until you hear
a sound. It'll sound like a tortured cat ( sorry,ASCPA)
at first.  I then turn the rear screw again 2 turns
further clockwise, and the front screw again further clockwise,
until the sound is stable. If you go too far,the tape will
not move or key will stick again.

The final goal is to have the tape moving steady over the
full 8-seconds,and at the same time,uniform sound quality.
If pinch-roller is too weak,the tape will begin to stall near
the end of its travel. If the pad-arms are too strong,will
stall the tape.  I've seen many a tape with wear-marks where
it meets the capstan,because of some poorly adj. screws.
Even  my friend Larry "Synergy" Fast's M400/725 Tron.

I must also fess-up here too. In 1975,being full of  daring,
I readj. the screws on my new M400. Result? Wrapped three
tapes around the capstan. Happened to many of us.

Again, this is my own procedure. When I set-up the keys
of Mark-One "Julia," I only required 1-turn CW on the
rollers,and 3/4 turn CW on the pads. Combination of the
Streetly tapes,and fully moveable guide-rollers on the
MK1/2/SFX models.

Comments are invited. Wearing my flak-jacket just in case.
-- Jerry Korb --