The Mellotron Group

#1565 arrived today, I still can't believe it. To my
inexpert eye it doesn't look too bad for a machine
built over 30 years ago which has been in storage for
14 years. I will post some photos later.

It has one broken tape spring and the track selector
arm has come loose, the tapes look ok, I haven't
removed the keyboard yet, there are a few electrical
leads floating about. I don't think I would dare plug
it in if I had a power cable which I don't, although
I know Martin can supply one.

I have realised 2 things.

1) I don't know anything about mellotrons.
2) By the time I get this thing working ( which I
suspect might be a considerable time) I will.

I'll post a bit more in a few days but at the moment I
am in still in a state of shock, all I can do is stare
at it.

Mark



____________________________________________________________________________________
Looking for last minute shopping deals?
Find them fast with Yahoo! Search. http://tools.search.yahoo.com/newsearch/category.php?category=shopping

On Tue, 8 Jan 2008, Mark Pring wrote:

> #1565 arrived today, I still can't believe it. To my
> inexpert eye it doesn't look too bad for a machine
> built over 30 years ago which has been in storage for
> 14 years. I will post some photos later.

please do share the pics...

> It has one broken tape spring and the track selector
> arm has come loose, the tapes look ok, I haven't
> removed the keyboard yet, there are a few electrical
> leads floating about. I don't think I would dare plug
> it in if I had a power cable which I don't, although
> I know Martin can supply one.

you should replace the a/c socket with whetever is appropriate
in your region. those bulgin plugs/jacks have been depricated
to 50 volts - they are NOT really safe to use, thought i suspect
many on the list ere still using them. it's a trivial task to
replace the socket on the power supply, and one that you need
to do regardless of any other service.

> I have realised 2 things.
>
> 1) I don't know anything about mellotrons.
> 2) By the time I get this thing working ( which I
> suspect might be a considerable time) I will.

neither did i when i got my first m400.
you have a resource that i didn't have: this list
there is more expertise concentrated here than you could buy anywhere.
use us.
yeah - we're a bunch of cranky old sods, but helpful cranky old dods.
i think i can speak for most here when i say that we all derive a lot
of pleasure helping resurrect a mellotron.

> I'll post a bit more in a few days but at the moment I
> am in still in a state of shock, all I can do is stare
> at it.
>
> Mark

'breathe deep the...' ;0)
oh never mind...

best!
jeff

Mark, the loose leads I saw in one of the updated auction photos
appeared to be the old co-axial cable that connected the head block to
the pre-amp. It appeared to have been replaced at some with new cable
and that someone had simply dropped the old in the cabinet. If it's not
connected to the power supply, and your machine remains unplugged, you
may want to examine it and see if it's attached to anything at the other
end. I could be wrong, but it certainly appeared to be co-ax with an
old belling-lee connector on it.

Enjoy the site, dream, and remember to breathe every once in a while.
best,
johnb


Mark Pring wrote:

>
> #1565 arrived today, I still can't believe it. To my
> inexpert eye it doesn't look too bad for a machine
> built over 30 years ago which has been in storage for
> 14 years. I will post some photos later.
>
> It has one broken tape spring and the track selector
> arm has come loose, the tapes look ok, I haven't
> removed the keyboard yet, there are a few electrical
> leads floating about. I don't think I would dare plug
> it in if I had a power cable which I don't, although
> I know Martin can supply one.
>
> I have realised 2 things.
>
> 1) I don't know anything about mellotrons.
> 2) By the time I get this thing working ( which I
> suspect might be a considerable time) I will.
>
> I'll post a bit more in a few days but at the moment I
> am in still in a state of shock, all I can do is stare
> at it.
>
> Mark
>
> __________________________________________________________
> Looking for last minute shopping deals?
> Find them fast with Yahoo! Search.
> http://tools.search.yahoo.com/newsearch/category.php?category=shopping
> <http://tools.search.yahoo.com/newsearch/category.php?category=shopping>
>
>

Two things Mark

1 Don't listen to these guys

2. If you are OCD , sell it quick



Good luck

gino

On 1/8/08, Mark Pring <markpringnz@yahoo.com> wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
>
> #1565 arrived today, I still can't believe it. To my
> inexpert eye it doesn't look too bad for a machine
> built over 30 years ago which has been in storage for
> 14 years. I will post some photos later.
>
> It has one broken tape spring and the track selector
> arm has come loose, the tapes look ok, I haven't
> removed the keyboard yet, there are a few electrical
> leads floating about. I don't think I would dare plug
> it in if I had a power cable which I don't, although
> I know Martin can supply one.
>
> I have realised 2 things.
>
> 1) I don't know anything about mellotrons.
> 2) By the time I get this thing working ( which I
> suspect might be a considerable time) I will.
>
> I'll post a bit more in a few days but at the moment I
> am in still in a state of shock, all I can do is stare
> at it.
>
> Mark
>
> __________________________________________________________
> Looking for last minute shopping deals?
> Find them fast with Yahoo! Search.
> http://tools.search.yahoo.com/newsearch/category.php?category=shopping
>


--
Wanted:
Davoli Synthesizer (Davolisynt A/B)
Kawai / Teisco 60F,100F,110F, SX210, SX240
Other odd rare unusual and maligned electronic instruments and devices

Gino Wong
Recording Engineer, Studio Supervisor
Philadelphia Regional Library f/t Blind and Physically handicapped
LBPH
919 Walnut Street
Phila, PA 19128 USA
(800) 222-1754

Centerville? Is that the "a real nice place to raise your kids" from
200 Motels Centerville?

--- In newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com, lsf5275@... wrote:
>
>
> In a message dated 1/8/2008 11:50:09 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,
> rick@... writes:
>
> Yes, Frank, but you don't have the Twat and Handbag Pub just down
the
> Uttoxeter Road where you can wheel down the mellotron to remind it
again what it is
> to be a daughter of Olde Blighty. Sorry, Montana Steak House just
doesn't
> cut it...
>
>
> Rick
>
>
>
> What's Montana Steak House? As for the Twat and Handbag, I think
they're
> opening one here in Centreville (the murder capitol of Virginia).
We have an
> O'Leary's Irish Pub here. I don't think anyone of Irish heritage
has ever been
> in it. We also have a Outback Steak House for that authentic
Australian dining
> experience.
>
> What does this have to do with Mellotrons, you ask?
>
> Frank
>
>
>
> **************Start the year off right. Easy ways to stay in
shape.
> http://body.aol.com/fitness/winter-exercise?
NCID=aolcmp00300000002489
>

Centerville? Is that the "a real nice place to raise your kids" from
200 Motels Centerville?

 

 

It's spelled Centreville. We don't have any motels in Centreville. We do have about 200 Chinese take-out restaurants, though.

 

 

Frank

Hi Bernie - I was working at an art supply store in Kansas City as a
summer job in 1977. One afternoon a couple came in made some
purchases. I rang them up and when they presented their check, I
noticed their address was in Centerville, Ia. I remarked,
"Centerville?", and without missing a beat, they replied, in unison,
"yes, a really nice place to raise your kids up".

johnb

--- In newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com, "Bernie" <kornowicz@...> wrote:
>
> Centerville? Is that the "a real nice place to raise your kids" from
> 200 Motels Centerville?
>

Frank, are Flo and Eddie employed as waiters in any of them.
johnb

--- In newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com, lsf5275@... wrote:


> It's spelled Centreville. We don't have any motels in Centreville.
We do
> have about 200 Chinese take-out restaurants, though.
>
>
> Frank

Frank, are Flo and Eddie employed as waiters in any of them.
johnb

 

Not likely. As I recall, those guys were into cheese enchiladas.

--- In newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com, lsf5275@... wrote:

>
> In a message dated 1/9/2008 12:31:11 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,
> kornowicz@... writes:
>
> Centerville? Is that the "a real nice place to raise your kids"

from

> 200 Motels Centerville?
>
>
>
>
>
> It's spelled Centreville. We don't have any motels in

Centreville. We do

> have about 200 Chinese take-out restaurants, though.
>
>
> Frank
>

Sorry, I thought it was a typo. 200 Chinese take-outs is good though.

John, 200 Motels was a regular midnight movie around here for
several years in the 70's. Ringo Starr did a great job playing
Zappa. I had a copy on VHS at one time...wish I knew where it
disappeared to.

Bernie

--- In newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com, "john barrick"
<astroboy@...> wrote:

>
> Hi Bernie - I was working at an art supply store in Kansas City

as a

> summer job in 1977. One afternoon a couple came in made some
> purchases. I rang them up and when they presented their check, I
> noticed their address was in Centerville, Ia. I remarked,
> "Centerville?", and without missing a beat, they replied, in

unison,

> "yes, a really nice place to raise your kids up".
>
> johnb
>
> --- In newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com, "Bernie" <kornowicz@>

wrote:

> >
> > Centerville? Is that the "a real nice place to raise your kids"

from

> > 200 Motels Centerville?
> >
>