The Mellotron Group

Of course I'd like to pick up a used 'tron.




Now that we're all done laughing! :)

Those of you that have been successful, how'd you do it? I've been scouring thrift stores, consignment stores, music shops, talking to music shop owners, organists, and posting on facebook walls for these music shops.

I'm hoping, like a fool probably, that California is a big place and there may be one or two unaccounted for 'trons in the state, probably in bad condition. Hopefully in the possession of someone who doesn't value it much and will let it go for a bargain.

Of course, I may just be high as a kite or something.

Thanks

-Sean

My current M400S was purchased new for $2900, by me in the early, early 70's from a music store in Boston. My 2nd M400, which I eventually sold, came from eBay. It was one of those "click at the last second" scores that most people didn't know about at that time. That one, I got for $2250.

Bernie

--- In newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com, "Sean" <fourtytwominds@...> wrote:

>
> Of course I'd like to pick up a used 'tron.
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Now that we're all done laughing! :)
> 
> Those of you that have been successful, how'd you do it? I've been scouring thrift stores, consignment stores, music shops, talking to music shop owners, organists, and posting on facebook walls for these music shops.
> 
> I'm hoping, like a fool probably, that California is a big place and there may be one or two unaccounted for 'trons in the state, probably in bad condition. Hopefully in the possession of someone who doesn't value it much and will let it go for a bargain.
> 
> Of course, I may just be high as a kite or something.
> 
> Thanks
> 
> -Sean
>

I found mine in a trailer in the backyard of a fellow musician that I worked with briefly. He wanted to get rid of it, and probably would have cost me nothing if I let him. Instead I traded a Blue mic, so let's say the thing cost me $1200. I wasn't using the mic, and even in the wretched condition the Tron was in I felt I got the bargain (he thought he got the better end of the deal, so I guess that was a win-win.) In any event, a similar machine came up in the group in worse shape than mine that went for something in the 2 grand category, before shipping arrangements. I thought about it, but eventually deferred and Frank S. got it. Now for perhaps the most useful part of my comments, and I am now a believer, is that no matter how handy you think you are, and no matter how helpful people in the groups can be, this is not a task for girls (metaphorically speaking, please!). I am very electronically inclined, and mechanically less so, but still better than most, and I am glad I decided to not bring it home and turn it on. I did a little research and found Frank, and after some discussion felt that rather than spend the next ten years dicking around with something I knew nothing about, I would let him restore it the way it should be as if I had the money long ago in that Sam Ash in NY to buy that Mellotron on the floor. I won't mention the cost, as this is between me and my priest, but when I brought that work of art home after restoration, I was grinning for days. I only brag about two pieces of gear I own - my Dotcom and my Tron. So, the net is by all means go out there and find one, but realize that unless it is in playable condition (I mean very playable), I wouldn't spend not much more than what I did in that trade. The things Frank had to do to my Tron would have taken me years, if not forever to accomplish. Even in fully restored shape my Tron still has its little moments, like after swapping tapes. Just the nature of the beast, and part of its charm. It does require a little attention.
I hope you find one someday, but remember, there are no Sams Photofacts for the Tron.

"This is my Tron. There are many like it, but this one is mine"

Regards,

John

From: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com [mailto:newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Sean
Sent: Tuesday, December 20, 2011 3:49 PM
To: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [newmellotrongroup] Tron hunting, for dummies, or at least, me



Of course I'd like to pick up a used 'tron.

Now that we're all done laughing! :)

Those of you that have been successful, how'd you do it? I've been scouring thrift stores, consignment stores, music shops, talking to music shop owners, organists, and posting on facebook walls for these music shops.

I'm hoping, like a fool probably, that California is a big place and there may be one or two unaccounted for 'trons in the state, probably in bad condition. Hopefully in the possession of someone who doesn't value it much and will let it go for a bargain.

Of course, I may just be high as a kite or something.

Thanks

-Sean

Sean,
In my case, just blind luck.
1975 was a good year and that was partially due to “landing” a Mellotron.
Tony #510
Tampa
PS fully restored by John and Martin, worth every penny, decades after the purchase.
Still own it too.

From: Sean 
Sent: Tuesday, December 20, 2011 12:48 PM
To: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com 
Subject: [newmellotrongroup] Tron hunting, for dummies, or at least, me

  
Of course I'd like to pick up a used 'tron.

Now that we're all done laughing! :)

Those of you that have been successful, how'd you do it? I've been scouring thrift stores, consignment stores, music shops, talking to music shop owners, organists, and posting on facebook walls for these music shops.

I'm hoping, like a fool probably, that California is a big place and there may be one or two unaccounted for 'trons in the state, probably in bad condition. Hopefully in the possession of someone who doesn't value it much and will let it go for a bargain.

Of course, I may just be high as a kite or something.

Thanks

-Sean

I did well with mine.
$1500 w/muff cover, working (CMC-10), decent standard tapes (which I still prefer), and a day or two later I painted it black.
When my M4000 arrives, it will be black too.
Tony

From: Sean 
Sent: Tuesday, December 20, 2011 12:48 PM
To: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com 
Subject: [newmellotrongroup] Tron hunting, for dummies, or at least, me

  
Of course I'd like to pick up a used 'tron.

Now that we're all done laughing! :)

Those of you that have been successful, how'd you do it? I've been scouring thrift stores, consignment stores, music shops, talking to music shop owners, organists, and posting on facebook walls for these music shops.

I'm hoping, like a fool probably, that California is a big place and there may be one or two unaccounted for 'trons in the state, probably in bad condition. Hopefully in the possession of someone who doesn't value it much and will let it go for a bargain.

Of course, I may just be high as a kite or something.

Thanks

-Sean

Well done! Nice tale. 

To this day, I still walk past my Streetly Tron and occasionally  pause to reflect on being a 14 year old boy and having gear lust so bad for one of these things, it hurt. I am very fortunate to have a well stocked studio of vintage trinkets in fantastic shape and the only one that evens comes close to my tron in emotional value is my Jerry Jones 6 string bass (think Fender Bass Six but semi hollow body)


fritz


“This is my Tron. There are many like it, but this one is mine”

-----Original Message-----
From: John Hammaren <hammaren@geoconcepts.com>
To: newmellotrongroup <newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Tue, Dec 20, 2011 5:19 pm
Subject: RE: [newmellotrongroup] Tron hunting, for dummies, or at least, me


  
    
                  

I found mine in a trailer in the backyard of a fellow musician that I worked with briefly. He wanted to get rid of it, and probably would have cost me nothing if I let him. Instead I traded a Blue mic, so let’s say the thing cost me $1200. I wasn’t using the mic, and even in the wretched condition the Tron was in I felt I got the bargain (he thought he got the better end of the deal, so I guess that was a win-win.) In any event, a similar machine came up in the group in worse shape than mine that went for something in the 2 grand category, before shipping arrangements. I thought about it, but eventually deferred and Frank S. got it. Now for perhaps the most useful part of my comments, and I am now a believer, is that no matter how handy you think you are, and no matter how helpful people in the groups can be, this is not a task for girls (metaphorically speaking,  please!). I am very electronically inclined, and mechanically less so, but still better than most, and I am glad I decided to not bring it home and turn it on. I did a little research and found Frank, and after some discussion felt that rather than spend the next ten years dicking around with something I knew nothing about, I would let him restore it the way it should be as if I had the money long ago in that Sam Ash in NY to buy that Mellotron on the floor. I won’t mention the cost, as this is between me and my priest, but when I brought that work of art home after restoration, I was grinning for days. I only brag about two pieces of gear I own – my Dotcom and my Tron. So, the net is by all means go out there and find one, but realize that unless it is in playable condition (I mean very playable), I wouldn’t spend not much more than what I did in that trade. The things Frank had to do to my Tron would have taken me years, if not forever to accomplish. Even  in fully restored shape my Tron still has its little moments, like after swapping tapes. Just the nature of the beast, and part of its charm. It does require a little attention.
I hope you find one someday, but remember, there are no Sams Photofacts for the Tron.
 
“This is my Tron. There are many like it, but this one is mine”
 
Regards,
 
John
 

From: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com [mailto:newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Sean
Sent: Tuesday, December 20, 2011 3:49 PM
To: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [newmellotrongroup] Tron hunting, for dummies, or at least, me

 
  


Of course I'd like to pick up a used 'tron.

Now that we're all done laughing! :)

Those of you that have been successful, how'd you do it? I've been scouring thrift stores, consignment stores, music shops, talking to music shop owners, organists, and posting on facebook walls for these  music shops.

I'm hoping, like a fool probably, that California is a big place and there may be one or two unaccounted for 'trons in the state, probably in bad condition. Hopefully in the possession of someone who doesn't value it much and will let it go for a bargain.

Of course, I may just be high as a kite or something.

Thanks

-Sean

Sean,

They are out here....in California.  I have seen many (over the years) and unless they have been junked or sold out of state you will find one deteriorating in the back room of a studio somewhere.  SIR probably has some in deep storage.  I have seen eBay listings
in California for them.  The problem is that if you aren't equipped with the knowledge or funds to restore it you will just have a
pile of junk.  If you can go to the NAMM Show in January there will probably be one of the new ones on display to play.
Frank can take a pile of junk and make it like (better than) new but it's a lot of work and expensive......as quality and craftsmanship
tend to be.  Good luck in your search........ :)

g

From: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com [mailto:newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Sean
Sent: Tuesday, December 20, 2011 12:49 PM
To: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [newmellotrongroup] Tron hunting, for dummies, or at least, me



Of course I'd like to pick up a used 'tron.

Now that we're all done laughing! :)

Those of you that have been successful, how'd you do it? I've been scouring thrift stores, consignment stores, music shops, talking to music shop owners, organists, and posting on facebook walls for these music shops.

I'm hoping, like a fool probably, that California is a big place and there may be one or two unaccounted for 'trons in the state, probably in bad condition. Hopefully in the possession of someone who doesn't value it much and will let it go for a bargain.

Of course, I may just be high as a kite or something.

Thanks

-Sean

Buy one fixed up. You're gonna spend the money anyway. I'd be happy to sell 
 you one ready to go.
 
Frank
 
 
In a message dated 12/20/2011 4:08:35 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,  
fourtytwominds@yahoo.com writes:

 
 
 
Of course I'd like to pick up a used 'tron.

Now that we're all done  laughing! :)

Those of you that have been successful, how'd you do it?  I've been 
scouring thrift stores, consignment stores, music shops, talking to  music shop 
owners, organists, and posting on facebook walls for these music  shops.

I'm hoping, like a fool probably, that California is a big place  and there 
may be one or two unaccounted for 'trons in the state, probably in  bad 
condition. Hopefully in the possession of someone who doesn't value it  much 
and will let it go for a bargain.

Of course, I may just be high as  a kite or something.

Thanks

-Sean

Thanks John,
 
My net cost on that Tron was well under a grand. And for  those that don't 
understand John's remark about the tape frames... All are  slightly 
different. I like to adjust the restored Trons for the lightest and  fastest (but 
still accurate) keyboard action. So if you have one frame that has  a bit more 
friction in its tape path than another, you may have to slightly  tighten 
the pinch rollers a bit to accommodate. Slightly. The trick is to set  them 
properly for each frame. Once you know the frame it takes moments.
 
When I rebuilt John's Mellotron, I also rebuilt it's one tape frame. It was 
 in terrible shape and I went through it and tried to make it as clean and  
friction free as possible. John has since acquired other frames that may be 
 better or worse. That frame was pretty slick when I was done with it.
 
Most Mellotrons are set up for "worst case", and few are set up us well as  
they could be. When they are right, they can be amazing. Years of picking 
the  brains of those more experienced than I (Martin, John and Markus) and 
endless  hours of experimenting led me to where I am now. I didn't invent the 
wheel, I  just figured out how to make it perfectly round and to roll freely.
 
So for John, he has the choice of tweaking from frame to frame to keep it  
super sweet or setting it up for worst case. He understands and agrees with 
my  philosophy. 
 
Frank
 
 
In a message dated 12/20/2011 5:19:35 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,  
hammaren@geoconcepts.com writes:

 
 
 
 
I found mine  in a trailer in the backyard of a fellow musician that I 
worked with briefly.  He wanted to get rid of it, and probably would have cost 
me nothing if I let  him. Instead I traded a Blue mic, so let’s say the thing 
cost me $1200. I  wasn’t using the mic, and even in the wretched condition 
the Tron was in I  felt I got the bargain (he thought he got the better end 
of the deal, so I  guess that was a win-win.) In any event, a similar 
machine came up in the  group in worse shape than mine that went for something in 
the 2 grand  category, before shipping arrangements. I thought about it, but 
eventually  deferred and Frank S. got it. Now for perhaps the most useful 
part of my  comments, and I am now a believer, is that no matter how handy 
you think you  are, and no matter how helpful people in the groups can be, 
this is not a task  for girls (metaphorically speaking, please!). I am very 
electronically  inclined, and mechanically less so, but still better than most, 
and I am glad  I decided to not bring it home and turn it on. I did a 
little research and  found Frank, and after some discussion felt that rather than 
spend the next  ten years dicking around with something I knew nothing 
about, I would let him  restore it the way it should be as if I had the money 
long ago in that Sam Ash  in NY to buy that Mellotron on the floor. I won’t 
mention the cost, as this is  between me and my priest, but when I brought 
that work of art home after  restoration, I was grinning for days. I only brag 
about two pieces of gear I  own – my Dotcom and my Tron. So, the net is by 
all means go out there and find  one, but realize that unless it is in 
playable condition (I mean very  playable), I wouldn’t spend not much more than 
what I did in that trade. The  things Frank had to do to my Tron would have 
taken me years, if not forever to  accomplish. Even in fully restored shape my 
Tron still has its little moments,  like after swapping tapes. Just the 
nature of the beast, and part of its  charm. It does require a little 
attention. 
I hope you  find one someday, but remember, there are no Sams Photofacts 
for the  Tron. 
“This is my  Tron. There are many like it, but this one is mine” 
Regards, 
John 

From: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com  
[mailto:newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of  Sean
Sent: Tuesday, December 20, 2011 3:49 PM
To:  newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [newmellotrongroup] Tron  hunting, for dummies, or at least, me

 
 
 
Of course I'd like to pick up a used 'tron.

Now that we're all done  laughing! :)

Those of you that have been successful, how'd you do it?  I've been 
scouring thrift stores, consignment stores, music shops, talking to  music shop 
owners, organists, and posting on facebook walls for these music  shops.

I'm hoping, like a fool probably, that California is a big place  and there 
may be one or two unaccounted for 'trons in the state, probably in  bad 
condition. Hopefully in the possession of someone who doesn't value it  much 
and will let it go for a bargain.

Of course, I may just be high as  a kite or something.

Thanks

-Sean

If you want one spend the cash and buy one. There aren't any bargains left out there. 

Sent from my iPhone

On Dec 21, 2011, at 8:14 PM, lsf5275@aol.com wrote:

> Buy one fixed up. You're gonna spend the money anyway. I'd be happy to sell you one ready to go.
>  
> Frank
>  
> In a message dated 12/20/2011 4:08:35 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, fourtytwominds@yahoo.com writes:
>  
> Of course I'd like to pick up a used 'tron.
> 
> Now that we're all done laughing! :)
> 
> Those of you that have been successful, how'd you do it? I've been scouring thrift stores, consignment stores, music shops, talking to music shop owners, organists, and posting on facebook walls for these music shops.
> 
> I'm hoping, like a fool probably, that California is a big place and there may be one or two unaccounted for 'trons in the state, probably in bad condition. Hopefully in the possession of someone who doesn't value it much and will let it go for a bargain.
> 
> Of course, I may just be high as a kite or something.
> 
> Thanks
> 
> -Sean
> 
> 
>

I'm slowly acquiring the know how to coax something like that back into life. At the least, I could halt the deterioration and make it play safe while I save up for the full overhaul.

Where have you seen them over the years? Are they all stored away in our major metro areas? I remember us talking briefly about the one you saw in Stockton or Lodi or somewhere in that area.

I've hit up pretty much every place I can think of in Fresno and Visalia, and a few in the outlying towns. Even found out about Venturi's House of Music in Madera. They have somewhere between 4 and 5 dozen accordions in there, and an ancient Hammond spinet in the window. The guy running it has never even heard of a Mellotron before I walked in.

I'm slightly amused at the moment with the vast difference in Mellotron hunting and Hammond hunting. One of Dinuba's barbers (part time musician) has a C-3 in his church in Orosi, but doesn't want to dick with moving it around. Another Dinuba musician had a B-3 but sold it a decade or so ago. There's one in Hanford that's been for sale for several years on craigslist because they guy won't come down from some abhorrent price like $7K or something. There's an A-100 in Fresno's SW side. There's another B-3 in Bakersfield.

Not a Melly in sight. They all seem to be in LA or the Bay. :(

-Sean

--- In newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com, Gary Brumm <gabru@...> wrote:

>
> Sean,
> 
> They are out here....in California.  I have seen many (over the years) and unless they have been junked or sold out of state you will find one deteriorating in the back room of a studio somewhere.  SIR probably has some in deep storage.  I have seen eBay listings
> in California for them.  The problem is that if you aren't equipped with the knowledge or funds to restore it you will just have a
> pile of junk.  If you can go to the NAMM Show in January there will probably be one of the new ones on display to play.
> Frank can take a pile of junk and make it like (better than) new but it's a lot of work and expensive......as quality and craftsmanship
> tend to be.  Good luck in your search........ :)
> 
> g
> 
> 
> From: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com [mailto:newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Sean
> Sent: Tuesday, December 20, 2011 12:49 PM
> To: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: [newmellotrongroup] Tron hunting, for dummies, or at least, me
> 
> 
> 
> Of course I'd like to pick up a used 'tron.
> 
> Now that we're all done laughing! :)
> 
> Those of you that have been successful, how'd you do it? I've been scouring thrift stores, consignment stores, music shops, talking to music shop owners, organists, and posting on facebook walls for these music shops.
> 
> I'm hoping, like a fool probably, that California is a big place and there may be one or two unaccounted for 'trons in the state, probably in bad condition. Hopefully in the possession of someone who doesn't value it much and will let it go for a bargain.
> 
> Of course, I may just be high as a kite or something.
> 
> Thanks
> 
> -Sean
>

I haven't seen one in the Stockton/Lodi area for a decade.  We had a Mellotron dealer here in Stockton that had one on display in the 70's but I don't think it ever sold.
A lot of the guys that had them wore them out.  They traveled with them like Hammonds but those white boxes couldn't take it like a Hammond
that was much better built.  I am sure a lot of them were junked.   I would be curious how many 400s have been MIA for decades.  I would imagine half of them fell apart.  But
I am sure they house rats in storage facilities if you can find them....keep looking and you will find one.

g


From: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com [mailto:newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Sean
Sent: Wednesday, December 21, 2011 10:21 PM
To: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [newmellotrongroup] Re: Tron hunting, for dummies, or at least, me



I'm slowly acquiring the know how to coax something like that back into life. At the least, I could halt the deterioration and make it play safe while I save up for the full overhaul.

Where have you seen them over the years? Are they all stored away in our major metro areas? I remember us talking briefly about the one you saw in Stockton or Lodi or somewhere in that area.

I've hit up pretty much every place I can think of in Fresno and Visalia, and a few in the outlying towns. Even found out about Venturi's House of Music in Madera. They have somewhere between 4 and 5 dozen accordions in there, and an ancient Hammond spinet in the window. The guy running it has never even heard of a Mellotron before I walked in.

I'm slightly amused at the moment with the vast difference in Mellotron hunting and Hammond hunting. One of Dinuba's barbers (part time musician) has a C-3 in his church in Orosi, but doesn't want to dick with moving it around. Another Dinuba musician had a B-3 but sold it a decade or so ago. There's one in Hanford that's been for sale for several years on craigslist because they guy won't come down from some abhorrent price like $7K or something. There's an A-100 in Fresno's SW side. There's another B-3 in Bakersfield.

Not a Melly in sight. They all seem to be in LA or the Bay. :(

-Sean

--- In newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com<mailto:newmellotrongroup%40yahoogroups.com>, Gary Brumm <gabru@...<mailto:gabru@...>> wrote:

>
> Sean,
>
> They are out here....in California. I have seen many (over the years) and unless they have been junked or sold out of state you will find one deteriorating in the back room of a studio somewhere. SIR probably has some in deep storage. I have seen eBay listings
> in California for them. The problem is that if you aren't equipped with the knowledge or funds to restore it you will just have a
> pile of junk. If you can go to the NAMM Show in January there will probably be one of the new ones on display to play.
> Frank can take a pile of junk and make it like (better than) new but it's a lot of work and expensive......as quality and craftsmanship
> tend to be. Good luck in your search........ :)
>
> g
>
>
> From: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com<mailto:newmellotrongroup%40yahoogroups.com> [mailto:newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com<mailto:newmellotrongroup%40yahoogroups.com>] On Behalf Of Sean
> Sent: Tuesday, December 20, 2011 12:49 PM
> To: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com<mailto:newmellotrongroup%40yahoogroups.com>
> Subject: [newmellotrongroup] Tron hunting, for dummies, or at least, me
>
>
>
> Of course I'd like to pick up a used 'tron.
>
> Now that we're all done laughing! :)
>
> Those of you that have been successful, how'd you do it? I've been scouring thrift stores, consignment stores, music shops, talking to music shop owners, organists, and posting on facebook walls for these music shops.
>
> I'm hoping, like a fool probably, that California is a big place and there may be one or two unaccounted for 'trons in the state, probably in bad condition. Hopefully in the possession of someone who doesn't value it much and will let it go for a bargain.
>
> Of course, I may just be high as a kite or something.
>
> Thanks
>
> -Sean
>

I have to agree. There's a good chance if you buy one on the cheap just to get your hands on one and it needs major work like a cabinet rebuild, it's going to sit there gathering dust, just like it was before you bought it.

Bernie

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

>
> Buy one fixed up. You're gonna spend the money anyway. I'd be happy to sell 
>  you one ready to go.
>  
> Frank
>  
>  
> In a message dated 12/20/2011 4:08:35 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,  
> fourtytwominds@... writes:
> 
>  
>  
>  
> Of course I'd like to pick up a used 'tron.
> 
> Now that we're all done  laughing! :)
> 
> Those of you that have been successful, how'd you do it?  I've been 
> scouring thrift stores, consignment stores, music shops, talking to  music shop 
> owners, organists, and posting on facebook walls for these music  shops.
> 
> I'm hoping, like a fool probably, that California is a big place  and there 
> may be one or two unaccounted for 'trons in the state, probably in  bad 
> condition. Hopefully in the possession of someone who doesn't value it  much 
> and will let it go for a bargain.
> 
> Of course, I may just be high as  a kite or something.
> 
> Thanks
> 
> -Sean
>

At 11:55 AM 12/22/2011, you wrote:
>
>PS On it's best day I sampled #1565, when I don't feel like engaging 
>in a battle with the CM10 I play the samples, trust me, no one can 
>tell the difference.


Very true. That has been my experience, consistently.


Jim

Chris...Merry Christmas!!!  Maybe one day we can chat when you go back home. Again...happy holidays to you

--- On Thu, 12/22/11, Chris Dale <unobtainiumkeys@gmail.com> wrote:


From: Chris Dale <unobtainiumkeys@gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [newmellotrongroup] Re: Tron hunting, for dummies, or at least, me
To: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com
Date: Thursday, December 22, 2011, 7:32 AM



  




I bought my EMI one from a guy who was getting divorced and was selling everything. The M400 and the Double Wakeman Tron were basically free, but they were in such bad shape that they were almost unrecognizable and no one wanted them or cared. They also took considerable time and money to restore. But this was back when you were laughed at and derided (and I was) for even being interested in Mellotrons. 
 
Now it's a bit different. More people want them. But I agree - they're still out there, they can still be found - but they will need work.
 
I have to say that the only reason I ever bothered getting more than one at that time was because I was afraid I could never find spare parts, and totally expected to have to cannibalize the bad machines to keep one good one going. 
 
I'm eternally grateful for our Mellotron resources - Streetly, Markus, Jerry Korb, Frank, and whoever else is out there, because without them, things would be different for us and not in a good way.
 
Don't give up on looking. You'll find one eventually. And it will have it's own story to tell, and getting it fixed up if need be - will be a little journey in and of itself. But that's okay. That's part of the magic.
 
 
Merry Christmas everyone. 
 
  


On Thu, Dec 22, 2011 at 7:03 AM, tron400 <tron400@yahoo.com> wrote:


  



I have to agree. There's a good chance if you buy one on the cheap just to get your hands on one and it needs major work like a cabinet rebuild, it's going to sit there gathering dust, just like it was before you bought it.

Bernie


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

>
> Buy one fixed up. You're gonna spend the money anyway. I'd be happy to sell 
> you one ready to go.
> 
> Frank
> 
> 
> In a message dated 12/20/2011 4:08:35 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, 

> fourtytwominds@... writes:
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Of course I'd like to pick up a used 'tron.
> 
> Now that we're all done laughing! :)
> 
> Those of you that have been successful, how'd you do it? I've been 
> scouring thrift stores, consignment stores, music shops, talking to music shop 
> owners, organists, and posting on facebook walls for these music shops.
> 
> I'm hoping, like a fool probably, that California is a big place and there 
> may be one or two unaccounted for 'trons in the state, probably in bad 
> condition. Hopefully in the possession of someone who doesn't value it much 
> and will let it go for a bargain.
> 
> Of course, I may just be high as a kite or something.
> 
> Thanks
> 
> -Sean
>