Mellotronists

It's surprising that Markus or Martin haven't included any of the 
upgrades/improvements of models like the infamous 4 track or J-Tron 
to produce an entirely new mellotron model.(stationary heads,more 
than 3 track tape,Chamberlin rewind system or better,multichannel 
mixer on panel for simultaneous sounds,built in digital reverb/efx)

> From: "charel196" <charel196@...>
   > Date: Tue, 09 Mar 2004 17:37:30 -0000
   > 
   > It's surprising that Markus or Martin haven't included any of the
   > upgrades/improvements of models like the infamous 4 track or
   > J-Tron to produce an entirely new mellotron model.(stationary
   > heads,more than 3 track tape,Chamberlin rewind system or
   > better,multichannel mixer on panel for simultaneous sounds,built
   > in digital reverb/efx)

I kindof agree.

I do think the MA Mark VI has enough major improvements to qualify as
a significant development of the instrument; the power supply, motor,
motor controller, preamp, cabinet construction, and the other features
are all great things.

I know what you're saying though -- none of those features really
changes the way the player interracts with the instrument, and the
Mark VI looks an awful lot like an M400 from a distance.  Sure enough.

It was probably a business decision to build the Mark VI.  I mean, in
the sense that it provides immediate product recognition, many of the
Mark VI components can perform double duty as upgrades to the M400,
many of the M400 components can serve as backup if the Mark VI
components can't be built, and it provides some manufacturing
experience before going on to other things.  That sounds like a
completely reasonable business strategy to me.

But I agree that a radically new Mellotron, something along the lines
of the the JustinTron, would be an awesomely great musical instrument
to have in production.

Of course I'm just mumbling as an observer here, and I'm certainly not
speaking for Mellotron Archives or with any inside information.

  -- Don

-- 
Don Tillman
Palo Alto, California
don@...
http://www.till.com