The Mellotron Group

The power supply will have to be rewired to accommodate a switch to the CMC 10, Including the addition of a couple of rectifiers and perhaps a couple or three large capacitors. Also, depending on when and by whom the SMS was installed (during production or afterward), there may be some other mods that would have to be removed. In no way is it going to be a simple switch over. It also is unlikely that being able to switch between the two will be possible. Oh, and you will also need to swap out the 50k pitch pot for a 1k unit. If you want to make your M400 a bit closer to the CMC 10 version, just loosen the capstan drive belt a bit so that under a load it will slip a bit. That way, when you play more than a few notes simultaneously, the machine will run flat on you.

 

Frank (officially retired from actually doing any real work on them other than my own)

 

 

There'll probably be some questionmarks why anyone ever wants to have their SMS3 motor replaced by the apparently cursed CMC10 Motor.
Well, you could have a listen to old recordings from the 70's... My most favorite records from that era had a distinct other (worldly) sound than the sound coming from M400's with a new stable motor...

Yes, the old CMC10 was unstable and sometimes even false. Detuning was terrible, IF you didn't want that.
But what if you DO want that? ;-)
In my view, the old M400 was just a too fragile instrument for the Rock and Roll demands of most musicians from that time period. But have a listen to Early Tangerine Dream or Edgar Froese and you'll know that this detuned sound is a direct outcome of the unstability of the old CMC10.

Therefor, I'm looking for one in fairly good condition.
Perhaps to have the SMS3 fully replaced;
Or to have both motors, but to alter between using both of them with a switch of some kind.

Hoping to hear for anyone with a CMC10 ;-)

Thanx,
Ray