Hi all,
About 8 years ago, I purchased an M400. I had it refurbished then with the help of many people (mainly Streetly and Frank S.): power supply recap, new Streetly tape frame flutes/string/cello, new capstan bearings, new rollers, new pads, new belt, etc. It already had an SMS5 MR when I got it. I was on hiatus for the last 7 years or so (career/family), and am now slowly getting back into all things Mellotron.
What's the state of discussion on Mellotrons today? Is there a forum? Facebook? Other? Last I knew, there really were only the Yahoo groups but activity is quite a bit down, like much of the Yahoo groups over the last 7 years or so.
Speaking of which, I only knew of the three: Mellotronists, newmellotrongroup and moneypit, in order of the number of posts each of these got, it seems to me. And, why the need for three discrete groups? Was there some kind of rivalry back then? Never did figure that out, seemed one group would have been fine.
Anywho... onto some other questions.
I noticed my M400 has the plastic tabs that support the lid and the hooks of the two in the front are bent down. I never did like this design. Are there metal (brass?) ones (like those that most have) that retrofit without having to drill additional holes for mounting? Or new ones to replace the original plastic? Thought that Streetly had these but again not sure if I have to drill new holes. Rather would not do that...
I saw something discussed somewhere about a ground loop in the original power supply box design. Any info/schems on rewiring? It has a SMS5 MR motor controller, FWIW.
I really got into carefully and thoughtfully tweaking the roller and pad adjustments yesterday (bought these new from Streetly back in 2010 or so), big improvement to what it was before. But... after the procedure, I'm finding there's more inconsistency in notes (flute, especially) than I would have imagined (and than I would like...), more in the pitch differences between some of the notes, and even some notes sounding somewhat "ambiguous" wrt pitch (cello, IIRC). Also more “wavering around” a note on some of them (flutes again), again more than I would have imagined (liked?)... is this the way the MkII (M400) flutes are really supposed to sound? Or are my adjustments still not bang on and I still have some wavering going on?
I saw discussion somewhere regarding "tuned" tapes. I presume this is taking the original masters (which I presume have been digitized by now for ready copying?) and "auto tuning" them? If so and if these are available, did anyone try these? And if they did, was some of the "mojo" lost? I'm all for inconsistencies, but I feel I am getting those anyway from the mechanical/analog nature of the instrument itself and was thinking that the tapes themselves should be minimized of those inconsistencies... But, maybe the overall charm would then be lost if the original sounds were dicked with? Opinions welcomed!
Finally, would be interested in buying a tape case for my spare tape frame. Also a Protecta muff cover in good condition.
Thanks,
Chris