Mellotronists

----- Original Message -----
From: "Chris Dale" <chris.dale@...>
To: "pc_eclipsed" <jpnoey@...>
Sent: Tuesday, June 29, 2004 1:45 AM
Subject: Re: [Mellotronists] Tape maintenance


> Hi Paul:
>
>
> Those are good questions. Well there's no harm in asking if you don't have
a
> Tron yet. It's better to know these things in advance anyway so you'll
have
> an easier time when you do get one.
>
> I imagine most of us use our trons on a semi-regular basis. The first
thing
> to do in protecting / preserving the tapes is cleaning the tape heads with
> 99% isopropyl alchohol. Don't use anything less than 99% as the last thing
> you want in your machine is any substances/residue that can cause
corrosion
> or stickiness.
>
> The other important thing is to make sure you de-magnetize: 1) the tools
> you'll be using in the machine  2)any metallic jewelry you might be
wearing
> (it's really best to remove it) 3) the tape heads. You must also check the
> headblock cable for intermittent behaviour (crackling) as that will
> magnetize the tape heads too.
>
> Keep the machine and tapes in a dry room with little temperature
> fluctuations. Normally tapes will last a long time and play well if the
> machine is set up properly. New/Used machines from Mellotron
> Archives/Streetly Electronics shouldn't need any immediate attention. If
you
> buy a used machine from Ebay, you can clean the tapes with some Q-tips and
a
> small drop of  99% isopropyl alcohol. You may also want to clean the tape
> frame rollers as well. You must also regularly clean the capstan and
> surrounding felt. Ditto the pinch rollers and pressure pads that reside
> under each key. You also want to prevent any static in the travel path of
> the tapes.
>
> I know it seems like a lot, but if you do all of this on a regular basis,
> you will extend the life of the tapes and your future machine will play
> better and sound better. It will also be easier to isolate problems when
> they do occur. It's something most (if not all) of us have done at one
time

> or another, and it's part of keeping the mellotron flame alive.
>
>
> Chris
>
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "pc_eclipsed" <jpnoey@...>
> To: <Mellotronists@yahoogroups.com>
> Sent: Tuesday, June 29, 2004 12:38 AM
> Subject: [Mellotronists] Tape maintenance
>
>
> > Hi,
> > Though I don't have a 'Tron yet (still hopeful),
> > I am interested to know how those of you who have Trons are able to
> > preserve the tapes...........so here's an informal poll...
> >
> > These machines are growing older by the day, so I wonder:
> >
> > 1) Do you use your mellotrons regularly?
> > 2) If so, what measures do you take to protect your tapes from decay
> > (i.e. shedding oxide, temp and humidity issues, etc.)
> > 3) What can be done to prevent "stretching" of the tapes due to age,
> > overuse, etc...?
> >
> > there's probably a dozen more questions that should be asked, but
> > this will do for the moment.....
> >
> > I nearly bought a M400 last year on ebay...a beautiful machine,
> > judging by the photos, but at $3000+ plus shipping from the east
> > coast to Alaska, I was unable to justify the purchase to my wife....
> > I remain hopeful, however.....
> >
> > Meanwhile, I'd be very interested in your responses...Thanks in
> > advance!
> >
> > Paul
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > Yahoo! Groups Links
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
>