Mellotronists

So,would that be the forlorn little Chamberlin that just sold for 
$370.00 on eBay?  If so, it looks like you have acquired a pretty 
ambitious project - I hope you can share the tales of the restoration 
with us.

Jon E Salley
M400 #886

That would be the same beat to hell little chamberlin on ebay.  You 
know, I figured it would be one of my only opportunities to have 
one.  I shelled out $2500 for my M400, and that was probably the last 
time in a long time that I will be able to pay that much for an 
instrument, let alone the $6000 that I've seen other chamberlins go 
for.  I happen to have an absolute genius of a tech, and I'm willing 
to take on some pretty wild stuff just for the hell of it (I live in 
chicago, grew up in minnesota, and know that a winter without a 
project is a hard winter).  I will not only keep this group updated 
on my progress, I will probably be asking for some advice along the 
way.

Max

--- In Mellotronists@yahoogroups.com, "jonesalley" <jonesalley@s...> 
wrote:
> So,would that be the forlorn little Chamberlin that just sold for 
> $370.00 on eBay?  If so, it looks like you have acquired a pretty 
> ambitious project - I hope you can share the tales of the 
restoration 

> with us.
> 
> Jon E Salley
> M400 #886

On Mon, 8 Dec 2003, maxwellhiller wrote:

> That would be the same beat to hell little chamberlin on ebay.  You 
> know, I figured it would be one of my only opportunities to have 
> one.  I shelled out $2500 for my M400, and that was probably the last 
> time in a long time that I will be able to pay that much for an 
> instrument, let alone the $6000 that I've seen other chamberlins go 
> for.  I happen to have an absolute genius of a tech, and I'm willing 
> to take on some pretty wild stuff just for the hell of it (I live in 
> chicago, grew up in minnesota, and know that a winter without a 
> project is a hard winter).  I will not only keep this group updated 
> on my progress, I will probably be asking for some advice along the 
> way.
> 
> Max


beat up chamberlin from ebay...
$370

steel wool, oil, assorted nuts and bolts from home depot...
$60

advice and support from a close-knit community of cranky wankers...
priceless


[pretty lame, i know... sorry!]
jeff
m400 #364 [and still slowly restoring #1220]
[oh yeah, and caretaker of #1189]

Hello Max:


Welcome to our group, and congratulations on your purchase. I must tell you
I was in a similar situation several years ago.

I picked up a double manual mellotron that was in just the same if not worse
condition as the Ebay Chamberlin you bought. It was filled with dirt, mold,
mouse crap, rust, corrosion, was totally out of adjustment, came in several
pieces and in any sane man's view probably should have been left on it's
journey to the dumpster. It became a very questionable project to say the
least, and I struggled very much with that machine. I'm talking tears of
frustration!

Nevertheless I renovated it (with help from some members of this list) to
pretty much original spec. and I can reassure you from personal experience
that with enough enthusiasm, time and effort,  your machine will sing again.

It's well worth the effort in my opinion to keep these wonderful machines
going. Mellotrons, Chamberlins, Optigans, Orchestrons etc all have a certain
indescribable charm to them and I don't think it's a waste of time restoring
them.


Good luck


Chris

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

From: "maxwellhiller" <maxwellhiller@...>
To: <Mellotronists@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Monday, December 08, 2003 4:56 PM
Subject: [Mellotronists] Re: Chamberlin 200


> That would be the same beat to hell little chamberlin on ebay.  You
> know, I figured it would be one of my only opportunities to have
> one.  I shelled out $2500 for my M400, and that was probably the last
> time in a long time that I will be able to pay that much for an
> instrument, let alone the $6000 that I've seen other chamberlins go
> for.  I happen to have an absolute genius of a tech, and I'm willing
> to take on some pretty wild stuff just for the hell of it (I live in
> chicago, grew up in minnesota, and know that a winter without a
> project is a hard winter).  I will not only keep this group updated
> on my progress, I will probably be asking for some advice along the
> way.
>
> Max
>
> --- In Mellotronists@yahoogroups.com, "jonesalley" <jonesalley@s...>
> wrote:
> > So,would that be the forlorn little Chamberlin that just sold for
> > $370.00 on eBay?  If so, it looks like you have acquired a pretty
> > ambitious project - I hope you can share the tales of the
> restoration
> > with us.
> >
> > Jon E Salley
> > M400 #886
>
>
>
> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
> Mellotronists-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
>
>
>
> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
>
>
>

Thank you Chris.  I just think with this stuff that there were SO few of them made originally (apparently only about 100 Chamberlin 200's), that to let one die is to actually affect the "survival of the species" as a whole.  It's not like with a roland or something.  First of all, I think the average joe with a schematic and a soldering iron could build most roland keyboards.  Mellotrons, Chamberlins and the like are much more obscure in their workings.  PLus, I just have a hard time imagining a world where we were down to the last handful of known alpha juno synthesizers.  When it comes to Chamberlins, or even Mellotrons, its so much different.  I mean, I own 1% of the Chamberlin 200's in the world, and that's assuming that none of them have been destroyed.  Yet look at the importance of the instrument.  I'm rambling, but I would think that everyone on this list can feel the, and I know this sounds corny, but, the magic of playing such a wonderful and rare bird of an instrument as a mellotron or chamberlin.  Can everyone tell that I'm kind of excited to have joined this group?

Max

-----Original Message-----
From: Chris Dale <chris.dale@...>
Sent: Dec 8, 2003 4:56 PM
To: maxwellhiller <maxwellhiller@...>, 
	Mellotronists <mellotronists@yahoogroups.com>
Subject: Re: [Mellotronists] Re: Chamberlin 200

Hello Max:


Welcome to our group, and congratulations on your purchase. I must tell you
I was in a similar situation several years ago.

I picked up a double manual mellotron that was in just the same if not worse
condition as the Ebay Chamberlin you bought. It was filled with dirt, mold,
mouse crap, rust, corrosion, was totally out of adjustment, came in several
pieces and in any sane man's view probably should have been left on it's
journey to the dumpster. It became a very questionable project to say the
least, and I struggled very much with that machine. I'm talking tears of
frustration!

Nevertheless I renovated it (with help from some members of this list) to
pretty much original spec. and I can reassure you from personal experience
that with enough enthusiasm, time and effort,  your machine will sing again.

It's well worth the effort in my opinion to keep these wonderful machines
going. Mellotrons, Chamberlins, Optigans, Orchestrons etc all have a certain
indescribable charm to them and I don't think it's a waste of time restoring
them.


Good luck


Chris

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

From: "maxwellhiller" <maxwellhiller@...>
To: <Mellotronists@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Monday, December 08, 2003 4:56 PM
Subject: [Mellotronists] Re: Chamberlin 200


> That would be the same beat to hell little chamberlin on ebay.  You
> know, I figured it would be one of my only opportunities to have
> one.  I shelled out $2500 for my M400, and that was probably the last
> time in a long time that I will be able to pay that much for an
> instrument, let alone the $6000 that I've seen other chamberlins go
> for.  I happen to have an absolute genius of a tech, and I'm willing
> to take on some pretty wild stuff just for the hell of it (I live in
> chicago, grew up in minnesota, and know that a winter without a
> project is a hard winter).  I will not only keep this group updated
> on my progress, I will probably be asking for some advice along the
> way.
>
> Max
>
> --- In Mellotronists@yahoogroups.com, "jonesalley" <jonesalley@s...>
> wrote:
> > So,would that be the forlorn little Chamberlin that just sold for
> > $370.00 on eBay?  If so, it looks like you have acquired a pretty
> > ambitious project - I hope you can share the tales of the
> restoration
> > with us.
> >
> > Jon E Salley
> > M400 #886
>
>
>
> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
> Mellotronists-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
>
>
>
> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
>
>
>

Yes, you feel exactly the same way most of us do here. Many of us have one
or more of these aforementioned instruments, and for those of us who don't
you'll find that we work *very* hard at making any samples sound authentic
and true to the character of the original instrument. If we do anything
differently it's with intent for both creativity and passion for musical
expression. You'll also find a lot of us using decent recording equipment
and accessories as well, so please bear with us if we get carried away,
though I find you'll always learn something new even if we've beaten a topic
to death.

Regarding the chamberlins - are you sure about there being 100 Model 200's
made? I would think there might be less than that as the 200 was a rather
experimental beast made from 1951-59 I believe. I have 2 M1 models of which
I know at least100 were made, their production run going from 1970 to around
1981, and even here there are minor differences in size and adjustment.

 I can guarantee you that many of these machines have been destroyed. I know
of a fellow who was given a chamberlin in place of some money owed to him
along with an ARP Omni. Since he knew the Omni could do string sounds he saw
no need for the chamberlin and put it in the trash outside near his
driveway. Then there's Rick Wakeman's "marsh - mellow" tron roast where he
incinerated two machines in a rage on Guy Fawkes night. I've heard of
sacrificial Optigan burnings as well, and an orchestron that became both a
cigarette ashtray and a Keith Emerson style L100 replacement.

Another thing besides oddball-ness/rarity that I find intriguing is that
they all represent leaps forth in technology. The tape keyboards are
basically the first samplers, and the disc based keyboards represent the
first CD players. Makes you wonder what's next - maybe something just as
odd, like holographic based instruments?!!

Chris




----- Original Message -----
From: "Maxwell Hiller" <maxwellhiller@...>
To: "Chris Dale" <chris.dale@...>; <mellotronists@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Monday, December 08, 2003 6:21 PM
Subject: Re: [Mellotronists] Re: Chamberlin 200


> Thank you Chris.  I just think with this stuff that there were SO few of
them made originally (apparently only about 100 Chamberlin 200's), that to
let one die is to actually affect the "survival of the species" as a whole.
It's not like with a roland or something.  First of all, I think the average
joe with a schematic and a soldering iron could build most roland keyboards.
Mellotrons, Chamberlins and the like are much more obscure in their
workings.  PLus, I just have a hard time imagining a world where we were
down to the last handful of known alpha juno synthesizers.  When it comes to
Chamberlins, or even Mellotrons, its so much different.  I mean, I own 1% of
the Chamberlin 200's in the world, and that's assuming that none of them
have been destroyed.  Yet look at the importance of the instrument.  I'm
rambling, but I would think that everyone on this list can feel the, and I
know this sounds corny, but, the magic of playing such a wonderful and rare
bird of an instrument as a mellotron or chamberlin.  Can everyone tell that
I'm kind of excited to have joined this group?
>
> Max
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Chris Dale <chris.dale@...>
> Sent: Dec 8, 2003 4:56 PM
> To: maxwellhiller <maxwellhiller@...>,
> Mellotronists <mellotronists@yahoogroups.com>
> Subject: Re: [Mellotronists] Re: Chamberlin 200
>
> Hello Max:
>
>
> Welcome to our group, and congratulations on your purchase. I must tell
you
> I was in a similar situation several years ago.
>
> I picked up a double manual mellotron that was in just the same if not
worse
> condition as the Ebay Chamberlin you bought. It was filled with dirt,
mold,
> mouse crap, rust, corrosion, was totally out of adjustment, came in
several
> pieces and in any sane man's view probably should have been left on it's
> journey to the dumpster. It became a very questionable project to say the
> least, and I struggled very much with that machine. I'm talking tears of
> frustration!
>
> Nevertheless I renovated it (with help from some members of this list) to
> pretty much original spec. and I can reassure you from personal experience
> that with enough enthusiasm, time and effort,  your machine will sing
again.
>
> It's well worth the effort in my opinion to keep these wonderful machines
> going. Mellotrons, Chamberlins, Optigans, Orchestrons etc all have a
certain
> indescribable charm to them and I don't think it's a waste of time
restoring
> them.
>
>
> Good luck
>
>
> Chris
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "maxwellhiller" <maxwellhiller@...>
> To: <Mellotronists@yahoogroups.com>
> Sent: Monday, December 08, 2003 4:56 PM
> Subject: [Mellotronists] Re: Chamberlin 200
>
>
> > That would be the same beat to hell little chamberlin on ebay.  You
> > know, I figured it would be one of my only opportunities to have
> > one.  I shelled out $2500 for my M400, and that was probably the last
> > time in a long time that I will be able to pay that much for an
> > instrument, let alone the $6000 that I've seen other chamberlins go
> > for.  I happen to have an absolute genius of a tech, and I'm willing
> > to take on some pretty wild stuff just for the hell of it (I live in
> > chicago, grew up in minnesota, and know that a winter without a
> > project is a hard winter).  I will not only keep this group updated
> > on my progress, I will probably be asking for some advice along the
> > way.
> >
> > Max
> >
> > --- In Mellotronists@yahoogroups.com, "jonesalley" <jonesalley@s...>
> > wrote:
> > > So,would that be the forlorn little Chamberlin that just sold for
> > > $370.00 on eBay?  If so, it looks like you have acquired a pretty
> > > ambitious project - I hope you can share the tales of the
> > restoration
> > > with us.
> > >
> > > Jon E Salley
> > > M400 #886
> >
> >
> >
> > To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
> > Mellotronists-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
> >
> >
> >
> > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to
http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/

> >
> >
> >
>
>
>
>
>
> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
> Mellotronists-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
>
>
>
> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
>
>
>

In a message dated 12/8/03 3:29:12 PM Pacific Standard Time, 
maxwellhiller@... writes:


> I'm rambling, but I would think that everyone on this list can feel the, 
> and I know this sounds corny, but, the magic of playing such a wonderful and 
> rare bird of an instrument as a mellotron or chamberlin.  Can everyone tell 
> that I'm kind of excited to have joined this group?

Welcome, Max.

You've come to the right bunch of loonies...I mean enthusiasts.  There are 
many tales similar to yours that you might be interested in reading from The 
Mellotron Book, available from amazon.com (had to get a plug in there, guys - and 
gal)...also to catch a glimpse into the mindset of our little cadre.

Frank Samagaio
San Diego CA
MkII #134 /  M400 #908
author, The Mellotron Book

Thanks for the warm welcomes!  I've been wondering over the past week as I was 
getting serious about taking on this Chamberlin if anyone has thought seriously about 
resurrecting the company.  I mean, even just an information and parts group would fill 
a void.  There's actually quite a bit of stuff on the web about Mellotrons, and they are 
more famous, and there are a few (from what I can tell) companies that are back in 
existence who are some form of the "real" mellotron company, but the Chamberlin 
actually invented the machine, and there is probably as much information on 
mellotron.com about them as the is anywhere.  Am I just looking in the wrong places, 
or is this actually the case?

   Also, I saw on an old post the link to a seemingly broken down Orchestron on ebay 
that went up three times, the last of which ending just about a month ago.  The 
seller's name was serafine248, and one of the item #'s was 2566871550.  Did anyone 
talk to this seller?  Know if he still has the orchestron?  Anything about it?

One more thing, and then bedtime.  In looking through the available info about this 
kind of instrument (I'm relatively new to this.  I've only had my Mellotron for a few 
months), I came across the Birotron.  All things considered, it actually doesn't seem 
like it would be too impossible to actually make one of these guys.  I mean, I know it 
lacks a lot compared to a mellotron, but it looks compact, durable, and, seriously, not 
that hard to put together.  Has anyone in the group thought about making a tape or 
other playback type of keyboard?  Had any success?  I mean, if someone was building 
machines like the Birotron, which actually could probably be pretty cheap as well, I 
know I'd buy one, and it seems like, with the know-how within a group like this, that 
it could be done.  Just a thought.


Max

--- In Mellotronists@yahoogroups.com, MAinPsych@a... wrote:

> In a message dated 12/8/03 3:29:12 PM Pacific Standard Time, 
> maxwellhiller@e... writes:
> 
> 
> > I'm rambling, but I would think that everyone on this list can feel the, 
> > and I know this sounds corny, but, the magic of playing such a wonderful and 
> > rare bird of an instrument as a mellotron or chamberlin.  Can everyone tell 
> > that I'm kind of excited to have joined this group?
> 
> Welcome, Max.
> 
> You've come to the right bunch of loonies...I mean enthusiasts.  There are 
> many tales similar to yours that you might be interested in reading from The 
> Mellotron Book, available from amazon.com (had to get a plug in there, guys - and 
> gal)...also to catch a glimpse into the mindset of our little cadre.
> 
> Frank Samagaio
> San Diego CA
> MkII #134 /  M400 #908
> author, The Mellotron Book

"....there are a few companies that are back in existence who are 
some form of the "real" mellotron company..."

Max:

Streetly Electronics
http://members.aol.com/tronpage/streetly/streetly.htm
The original Mellotron makers will be producing new M400's and T550's
They (Streetly's Martin and John) are here on this list....somewhere.
Martin: Please give us an update.

Mellotron
www.mellotron.com
They are producing new MK VI's (updated M400).  Markus is on this 
list.....somewhere.  Markus:  Please give us an update.

Clay

I saw one of these in the back warehouse of I.A.M. studios in Irvine 
CA back in 1980-81(where the photo of the M4 I posted in the photos 
section was taken).The studio was run by Skip Konte(Three Dog 
Night,Blues Image) who used Chamberlins with those bands.There was a 
huge stockpile of odd keyboards in storage,including the 200 and a 
Yamaha GX-1(!).The 200 I saw was in MUCH better shape.
  Seems like there must be more of these units out there 
someplace...perhaps in thrift shops or somebody's grandparents house.

Yeah,
what's the latest on the T550's? (cost, release date....)

I need to start blackmailing my bank manager ...

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "ceccles_ca" <clay123@...>
To: <Mellotronists@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: 09 December 2003 14:14
Subject: [Mellotronists] companies


> "....there are a few companies that are back in existence who
are
> some form of the "real" mellotron company..."
>
> Max:
>
> Streetly Electronics
> http://members.aol.com/tronpage/streetly/streetly.htm
> The original Mellotron makers will be producing new M400's and
T550's
> They (Streetly's Martin and John) are here on this
list....somewhere.
> Martin: Please give us an update.
>
> Mellotron
> www.mellotron.com
> They are producing new MK VI's (updated M400).  Markus is on
this

> list.....somewhere.  Markus:  Please give us an update.
>
> Clay

I think the seller was Frank Serafine, who is a sound designer in LA. I just ran into him at the AES show but didn't ask if he'd sold his machine. I didn't see any disks mentioned with it, which may have had something to do with the fairly low price - it may not make any noise right now. He was also selling a Minimoog.

Stan M400/174

-----Original Message-----
From: maxwellhiller [mailto:maxwellhiller@...]
Sent: Monday, December 08, 2003 11:16 PM
To: Mellotronists@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [Mellotronists] Re: Chamberlin 200

Thanks for the warm welcomes! I've been wondering over the past week as I was
getting serious about taking on this Chamberlin if anyone has thought seriously about
resurrecting the company. I mean, even just an information and parts group would fill
a void. There's actually quite a bit of stuff on the web about Mellotrons, and they are
more famous, and there are a few (from what I can tell) companies that are back in
existence who are some form of the "real" mellotron company, but the Chamberlin
actually invented the machine, and there is probably as much information on
mellotron.com about them as the is anywhere. Am I just looking in the wrong places,
or is this actually the case?

Also, I saw on an old post the link to a seemingly broken down Orchestron on ebay
that went up three times, the last of which ending just about a month ago. The
seller's name was serafine248, and one of the item #'s was 2566871550. Did anyone
talk to this seller? Know if he still has the orchestron? Anything about it?

One more thing, and then bedtime. In looking through the available info about this
kind of instrument (I'm relatively new to this. I've only had my Mellotron for a few
months), I came across the Birotron. All things considered, it actually doesn't seem
like it would be too impossible to actually make one of these guys. I mean, I know it
lacks a lot compared to a mellotron, but it looks compact, durable, and, seriously, not
that hard to put together. Has anyone in the group thought about making a tape or
other playback type of keyboard? Had any success? I mean, if someone was building
machines like the Birotron, which actually could probably be pretty cheap as well, I
know I'd buy one, and it seems like, with the know-how within a group like this, that
it could be done. Just a thought.

Max

--- In Mellotronists@yahoogroups.com, MAinPsych@a... wrote:
> In a message dated 12/8/03 3:29:12 PM Pacific Standard Time,
> maxwellhiller@e... writes:
>
>
> > I'm rambling, but I would think that everyone on this list can feel the,
> > and I know this sounds corny, but, the magic of playing such a wonderful and
> > rare bird of an instrument as a mellotron or chamberlin. Can everyone tell
> > that I'm kind of excited to have joined this group?
>
> Welcome, Max.
>
> You've come to the right bunch of loonies...I mean enthusiasts. There are
> many tales similar to yours that you might be interested in reading from The
> Mellotron Book, available from amazon.com (had to get a plug in there, guys - and
> gal)...also to catch a glimpse into the mindset of our little cadre.
>
> Frank Samagaio
> San Diego CA
> MkII #134 / M400 #908
> author, The Mellotron Book

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