The Mellotron Group

Hi Frank,
I'd be interested to know if this machine sounds different to an M400 what with the different heads and amps etc? Does it sound less tronny or more like a chamerlin or just the same?

bw
John



--- In newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com, lsf5275@... wrote:
>
> As I have finally started to dig into this machine, I have discovered that  
> there is a lot to like about it. I really think that this would have been a 
>  great machine for a touring band, or in the studio. 
>  
> It's lighter than a standard Mellotron
>  
> It's sturdier than a standard Mellotron
>  
> It has four tracks instead of three.
> It takes any standard tape frame but uses 1/4 inch tape.
>  
> Any of the four tracks can be mixed with any other in any combination
> including all four at the same time.
>  
> Each track has its own separate controls for volume, EQ and panning  
> left-right. 
>  
>  
> I think it is unfortunate that this model never made it into mass  
> production. I think it would have been immensely popular (for a Mellotron) if  they 
> hadn't gone out of vogue.
>  
> It uses a standard motor as can be seen in the photos, but the capstan and  
> pinch rollers are slightly smaller in diameter than a standard M-400. This 
> may  or may not be a design flaw. I don't know yet because it was so whacked 
> when it  came into the shop that it was nearly impossible to play. The 
> rollers appear to  be in good shape and they spin freely, but the machine was so 
> filthy and poorly  adjusted and the tapes are in such poor condition that 
> it wasn't really very  easy to play.
>  
> Here are some photos for comparison to what we all know and love.
>  
> 
>           
> This is how it looked  upon arrival a while back. It's been in my shop 
> since  May.
>    
> Here are the controls.  The black buttons are on/off for each track. Pitch 
> is on the  left.
>    
> Inside
>    
> Inside the power pack.  That is an SMS-3 toward the front.
>    
> The keyboard frame is  one giant piece of stamped aluminum.
>    
> Keyboard frame with  pressure pads...
>    
> ...and  without.
>    
> Notice that the motor  is not riveted. bolting a motor together is a pain 
> in the ass, trust  me. Each bolt has to be correctly torqued. Even the 
> slightest error  will cause the shaft to bind, amp draw to increase and the motor 
> to  burn out.
>    
> I  have no idea what that crap is on the flywheel, but it was a bitch  to 
> get off!
>    
> Here is the main frame  nearly torn all the way down. Also one big piece of 
> stamped  aluminum.
>    
> Head  block
>    
> Close up of 4 track  heads. No azimuths to adjust. Those collars are locked 
> in  place.
>    
> The whole thing was  pretty much of a filthy mess (as most are when I get 
> them). Those  are line out jacks on the right side of the  photo
>    
> See, just like every  other  Mellotron...
> 
>  
> So there you have it... A few photos exposing the "Dangerous Maytag."
>  
>  
> Frank
>