The Mellotron Group

I have been steadily trying to get a bunch of Mellotrons done and out of  
the shop. Rather than post everything that is going on, I think that it is 
only  worthwhile (and perhaps marginally entertaining) if I put up photos and 
comments  about the more challenging ones. This Mellotron is the 2nd one 
I've done since  the "Blue Mellotron." I'm not particularly fast these days 
because I've been  working harder than ever at trying to keep my regular 
business afloat and at the  same time, getting my house ready to sell. Soon I will 
be moving to a new place  out in the countryside with a stand alone shop in 
its own building.
 
So here is #885/674. Yes, two Mellotrons butchered to make one. When  it 
came into the shop the floor was rotted out and the right side of the cabinet  
was split front to back about 6 inches up from the bottom. The whole 
cabinet was  coming apart at the seems. This one also had the worst keyboard I 
have ever  seen. There were son many keys with compound warps that I wasn't 
sure how to get  they straight and make them stay that way. Eventually I ended 
up using a  technique that it very risky but it worked and I was able to get 
the keys  straight.
 
Here are a few before and after photos for those that can view them.   I'll 
put a whole series up on the home page later tonight or tomorrow. If you  
right click and save these they are in much better resolution
 
 

          
This one hides many  dark secrets. It is hard to see the warps in the keys 
but they were  so bad that keys were stuck  together.
   
Notice the missing  fuse? It's duct taped inside the power supply.  Sweet!
   
Pretty much like most  I get. Complete with 30 year old dirt and stuff 
spilled all through  it.
   
It not only needed  cleaning, but a thorough disinfecting before I could do 
 much. 
   
This was the solution  to keeping the floor together. Then it got dropped 
and slit the  side.
   
Testing the rebuilt  machine
   
I  later ended up repainting the wood for the control panel.  
  
Fitting out the  cabinet. The owner did not want the outside  painted.
   
The  basement.
   
This one had to be  rewired from the control box to the power supply. Lots 
of burned  wiring and the WME 289 & 290 were burned  up.
   
Ready for  delivery.
   
Ready to go home with  its owner. Look how excited he is. 
   
This is my  shop
   
It is like a big  "L"
   
4  work tables
   
This one is where I  spend the most time. Solovox in the  background
   
The wood "rack" speeds  things up and is a great place to lace tapes into a 
 frame.