The Mellotron Group

- low-noise mod

What is that Frank?

This is a 1973 Mellotron model M400s serial #911. I am the original owner. When not used on gigs, it has been stored in my home.  The only flaw is the last note needs a padspring* which can be ordered directly from Mellotron in Canada . The tapes are modified with Strings, Flutes and Voices. I also had it refinished gloss white because the old paint job was worn. 

I was a musician years ago and this piece of equipment has been on stage with Rare Earth, Sly and the Family Stone, Chicago, Steppenwolf, Sam and Dave, Wayne Cochran and the CC Riders, Doc Severensen, Al Hirt, The Ink Spots, and other recording groups. I kept it all these years because of the memories it held for me.

 

All,

Due to unfortunate circumstances, I need to sell my Mellotron. The restoration was done by Frank Stickle and I've owned for about 18 months. Tape frame was new and tracks are, A) 8-voice choir B) M400 strings, C) cello. I'm posting here before Ebay.

I'm in Central Indiana. Email me offline if interested.

Regards,

John

--- On Fri, 12/17/10, lsf5275@aol.com <lsf5275@aol.com> wrote:

 

All,

Due to unfortunate circumstances, I need to sell my Mellotron. The restoration was done by Frank Stickle and I've owned for about 18 months. Tape frame was new and tracks are, A) 8-voice choir B) M400 strings, C) cello. I'm posting here before Ebay.

I'm in Central Indiana. Email me offline if interested.

Regards,

John

 

Hi all-

  Interesting.  I brought my 'tron (#1221) home to Colorado from Bloomington, Indiana, back in 2007.  It had a missing padspring too. 

 

  What is it about Central Indiana Mellotrons?  Padsprings just seem to wander off, I guess.  Nice area, though.

 

  -Bruce D.

--- On Fri, 12/17/10, lsf5275@aol.com <lsf5275@aol.com> wrote:

From: lsf5275@aol.com <lsf5275@aol.com>
Subject: Re: [newmellotrongroup] M400 for sale
To: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com
Date: Friday, December 17, 2010, 8:27 AM

 

This Mellotron is # 911 and is a really nice machine. Prior to acquiring it and rebuilding it for John, it was originally owned by Dave Coviello who used it in his stage rig back in the 70s. Here is what Dave wrote about it at the time. Dave was a second keyboard player for a lot of groups on tour or he would have been in a supporting act. 911 was used on at least one Chicago album as I recall...

 

This is a 1973 Mellotron model M400s serial #911. I am the original owner. When not used on gigs, it has been stored in my home.  The only flaw is the last note needs a padspring* which can be ordered directly from Mellotron in Canada . The tapes are modified with Strings, Flutes and Voices. I also had it refinished gloss white because the old paint job was worn. 

I was a musician years ago and this piece of equipment has been on stage with Rare Earth, Sly and the Family Stone, Chicago, Steppenwolf, Sam and Dave, Wayne Cochran and the CC Riders, Doc Severensen, Al Hirt, The Ink Spots, and other recording groups. I kept it all these years because of the memories it held for me.

 

 

All,

Due to unfortunate circumstances, I need to sell my Mellotron. The restoration was done by Frank Stickle and I've owned for about 18 months. Tape frame was new and tracks are, A) 8-voice choir B) M400 strings, C) cello. I'm posting here before Ebay.

I'm in Central Indiana. Email me offline if interested.

Regards,

John

--- On Fri, 12/17/10, lsf5275@aol.com <lsf5275@aol.com> wrote:

--- On Fri, 12/17/10, Bruce Daily <pocotron@yahoo.com> wrote:

 

Hi all-

  I take it back.  18 months of ownership.isn't long enough to be a coincidence, and it wasn't even funny.  Sorry, I gotta read more carefully.

  -Bruce D.

--- On Fri, 12/17/10, Bruce Daily <pocotron@yahoo.com> wrote:

From: Bruce Daily <pocotron@yahoo.com>
Subject: Re: [newmellotrongroup] M400 for sale
To: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com
Date: Friday, December 17, 2010, 10:07 PM

 

  Soooo...

#911 gained a padspring while in Indiana.

Naah, couldn't be...  :-)

 

  (entirely in jest)

   -Bruce D. 

--- On Fri, 12/17/10, lsf5275@aol.com <lsf5275@aol.com> wrote:

From: lsf5275@aol.com <lsf5275@aol.com>
Subject: Re: [newmellotrongroup] M400 for sale
To: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com
Date: Friday, December 17, 2010, 3:41 PM

 

Actually Bruce, I retrieved  #911 from down near Asheville, North Carolina. When it went to Indiana, it had all its pads. John drove from his home in Indiana to Northern Virginia to the Mellhole  (my shop) to pick it up. There are photos of it on my myspace page.

 

Frank 

 

In a message dated 12/17/2010 4:39:03 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, pocotron@yahoo.com writes:

 

Hi all-

  Interesting.  I brought my 'tron (#1221) home to Colorado from Bloomington, Indiana, back in 2007.  It had a missing padspring too. 

 

  What is it about Central Indiana Mellotrons?  Padsprings just seem to wander off, I guess.  Nice area, though.

 

  -Bruce D.

--- On Fri, 12/17/10, lsf5275@aol.com <lsf5275@aol.com> wrote:

From: lsf5275@aol.com <lsf5275@aol.com>
Subject: Re: [newmellotrongroup] M400 for sale
To: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com
Date: Friday, December 17, 2010, 8:27 AM

 

This Mellotron is # 911 and is a really nice machine. Prior to acquiring it and rebuilding it for John, it was originally owned by Dave Coviello who used it in his stage rig back in the 70s. Here is what Dave wrote about it at the time. Dave was a second keyboard player for a lot of groups on tour or he would have been in a supporting act. 911 was used on at least one Chicago album as I recall...

 

This is a 1973 Mellotron model M400s serial #911. I am the original owner. When not used on gigs, it has been stored in my home.  The only flaw is the last note needs a padspring* which can be ordered directly from Mellotron in Canada . The tapes are modified with Strings, Flutes and Voices. I also had it refinished gloss white because the old paint job was worn. 

I was a musician years ago and this piece of equipment has been on stage with Rare Earth, Sly and the Family Stone, Chicago, Steppenwolf, Sam and Dave, Wayne Cochran and the CC Riders, Doc Severensen, Al Hirt, The Ink Spots, and other recording groups. I kept it all these years because of the memories it held for me.

 

In a message dated 12/17/2010 9:15:26 A.M. Eastern Standard Time, john.wright@consona.com writes:

 

All,

Due to unfortunate circumstances, I need to sell my Mellotron. The restoration was done by Frank Stickle and I've owned for about 18 months. Tape frame was new and tracks are, A) 8-voice choir B) M400 strings, C) cello. I'm posting here before Ebay.

I'm in Central Indiana. Email me offline if interested.

Regards,

John

--- On Sat, 12/18/10, lsf5275@aol.com <lsf5275@aol.com> wrote:

 

Frank-

  Um, I got one from you 2 1/2 years ago.

  My mind is going, too.  But, thanks anyway.

 

  -Bruce D.  (I think)

 

--- On Sat, 12/18/10, lsf5275@aol.com <lsf5275@aol.com> wrote:

From: lsf5275@aol.com <lsf5275@aol.com>
Subject: Re: [newmellotrongroup] M400 for sale
To: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com
Date: Saturday, December 18, 2010, 5:54 AM

 

Bruce, you can see photos of the rebuild here...

 

http://www.myspace.com/trondoc/photos/albums/album/1966534#mssrc=SitesPhotos_SP_AlbumTitle_ViewAlbum

 

All pressure pads are accounted for. I have extras if you need one.

 

In a message dated 12/18/2010 12:14:36 A.M. Eastern Standard Time, pocotron@yahoo.com writes:

 

Hi all-

  I take it back.  18 months of ownership.isn't long enough to be a coincidence, and it wasn't even funny.  Sorry, I gotta read more carefully.

  -Bruce D.

--- On Fri, 12/17/10, Bruce Daily <pocotron@yahoo.com> wrote:

From: Bruce Daily <pocotron@yahoo.com>
Subject: Re: [newmellotrongroup] M400 for sale
To: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com
Date: Friday, December 17, 2010, 10:07 PM

 

  Soooo...

#911 gained a padspring while in Indiana.

Naah, couldn't be...  :-)

 

  (entirely in jest)

   -Bruce D. 

--- On Fri, 12/17/10, lsf5275@aol.com <lsf5275@aol.com> wrote:

From: lsf5275@aol.com <lsf5275@aol.com>
Subject: Re: [newmellotrongroup] M400 for sale
To: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com
Date: Friday, December 17, 2010, 3:41 PM

 

Actually Bruce, I retrieved  #911 from down near Asheville, North Carolina. When it went to Indiana, it had all its pads. John drove from his home in Indiana to Northern Virginia to the Mellhole  (my shop) to pick it up. There are photos of it on my myspace page.

 

Frank 

 

In a message dated 12/17/2010 4:39:03 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, pocotron@yahoo.com writes:

 

Hi all-

  Interesting.  I brought my 'tron (#1221) home to Colorado from Bloomington, Indiana, back in 2007.  It had a missing padspring too. 

 

  What is it about Central Indiana Mellotrons?  Padsprings just seem to wander off, I guess.  Nice area, though.

 

  -Bruce D.

--- On Fri, 12/17/10, lsf5275@aol.com <lsf5275@aol.com> wrote:

From: lsf5275@aol.com <lsf5275@aol.com>
Subject: Re: [newmellotrongroup] M400 for sale
To: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com
Date: Friday, December 17, 2010, 8:27 AM

 

This Mellotron is # 911 and is a really nice machine. Prior to acquiring it and rebuilding it for John, it was originally owned by Dave Coviello who used it in his stage rig back in the 70s. Here is what Dave wrote about it at the time. Dave was a second keyboard player for a lot of groups on tour or he would have been in a supporting act. 911 was used on at least one Chicago album as I recall...

 

This is a 1973 Mellotron model M400s serial #911. I am the original owner. When not used on gigs, it has been stored in my home.  The only flaw is the last note needs a padspring* which can be ordered directly from Mellotron in Canada . The tapes are modified with Strings, Flutes and Voices. I also had it refinished gloss white because the old paint job was worn. 

I was a musician years ago and this piece of equipment has been on stage with Rare Earth, Sly and the Family Stone, Chicago, Steppenwolf, Sam and Dave, Wayne Cochran and the CC Riders, Doc Severensen, Al Hirt, The Ink Spots, and other recording groups. I kept it all these years because of the memories it held for me.

 

In a message dated 12/17/2010 9:15:26 A.M. Eastern Standard Time, john.wright@consona.com writes:

 

All,

Due to unfortunate circumstances, I need to sell my Mellotron. The restoration was done by Frank Stickle and I've owned for about 18 months. Tape frame was new and tracks are, A) 8-voice choir B) M400 strings, C) cello. I'm posting here before Ebay.

I'm in Central Indiana. Email me offline if interested.

Regards,

John

--- On Mon, 12/20/10, John Wright <john.wright@consona.com> wrote:

Hey John-

  I purchased my 'tron from a private owner in Bloomington.  He kept it in a studio, but I can't remember the name of the place at the moment.

  Hard times for Mellotron sales & auctions.  I noted that the 2 units offered on ebay from Jon Salley's estate didn't even get bid on.  I hope they eventually find a good home.

 

Hey John-

  I purchased my 'tron from a private owner in Bloomington.  He kept it in a studio, but I can't remember the name of the place at the moment.

  Hard times for Mellotron sales & auctions.  I noted that the 2 units offered on ebay from Jon Salley's estate didn't even get bid on.  I hope they eventually find a good home.

 

  -Bruce D.

--- On Mon, 12/20/10, John Wright <john.wright@consona.com> wrote:

From: John Wright <john.wright@consona.com>
Subject: RE: [newmellotrongroup] M400 for sale
To: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com
Date: Monday, December 20, 2010, 7:51 AM

 

Hi Bruce,

 

I talked to a couple of recording studios in Bloomington, but no interest.  For some reason that escapes me, lots of studios in Bloomington.  IU is there, but still a fairly small town.

 

John

From: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com [mailto:newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Bruce Daily
Sent: Friday, December 17, 2010 4:39 PM
To: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [newmellotrongroup] M400 for sale

 

Hi all-

  Interesting.  I brought my 'tron (#1221) home to Colorado from Bloomington, Indiana, back in 2007.  It had a missing padspring too. 

 

  What is it about Central Indiana Mellotrons?  Padsprings just seem to wander off, I guess.  Nice area, though.

 

  -Bruce D.

--- On Fri, 12/17/10, lsf5275@aol.com <lsf5275@aol.com> wrote:

From: lsf5275@aol.com <lsf5275@aol.com>
Subject: Re: [newmellotrongroup] M400 for sale
To: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com
Date: Friday, December 17, 2010, 8:27 AM

 

This Mellotron is # 911 and is a really nice machine. Prior to acquiring it and rebuilding it for John, it was originally owned by Dave Coviello who used it in his stage rig back in the 70s. Here is what Dave wrote about it at the time. Dave was a second keyboard player for a lot of groups on tour or he would have been in a supporting act. 911 was used on at least one Chicago album as I recall...

 

This is a 1973 Mellotron model M400s serial #911. I am the original owner. When not used on gigs, it has been stored in my home.  The only flaw is the last note needs a padspring* which can be ordered directly from Mellotron in Canada . The tapes are modified with Strings, Flutes and Voices. I also had it refinished gloss white because the old paint job was worn. 

I was a musician years ago and this piece of equipment has been on stage with Rare Earth, Sly and the Family Stone, Chicago, Steppenwolf, Sam and Dave, Wayne Cochran and the CC Riders, Doc Severensen, Al Hirt, The Ink Spots, and other recording groups. I kept it all these years because of the memories it held for me.

 

 

In a message dated 12/17/2010 9:15:26 A.M. Eastern Standard Time, john.wright@consona.com writes:

 

All,

Due to unfortunate circumstances, I need to sell my Mellotron. The restoration was done by Frank Stickle and I've owned for about 18 months. Tape frame was new and tracks are, A) 8-voice choir B) M400 strings, C) cello. I'm posting here before Ebay.

I'm in Central Indiana. Email me offline if interested.

Regards,

John

 

I have been asking my wife to buy me a Mark II for Xmas for 10 years now... 

On Dec 20, 2010, at 11:15 AM, Rick Blechta wrote:

On Dec 20, 2010, at 1:49 PM, Bruce Daily wrote:

Hey John-

  I purchased my 'tron from a private owner in Bloomington.  He kept it in a studio, but I can't remember the name of the place at the moment.

  Hard times for Mellotron sales & auctions.  I noted that the 2 units offered on ebay from Jon Salley's estate didn't even get bid on.  I hope they eventually find a good home.

Bad time of year to be selling something like this, I'd suspect. I mean if you're wife or girlfriend were planning on buying you something like this, she would have already done it. Right?

I would like to buy them, but can't until spring.

On Mon, Dec 20, 2010 at 1:15 PM, Rick Blechta <rick@rickblechta.com> wrote:

 

On Dec 20, 2010, at 1:49 PM, Bruce Daily wrote:

Hey John-

  I purchased my 'tron from a private owner in Bloomington.  He kept it in a studio, but I can't remember the name of the place at the moment.

  Hard times for Mellotron sales & auctions.  I noted that the 2 units offered on ebay from Jon Salley's estate didn't even get bid on.  I hope they eventually find a good home.

Bad time of year to be selling something like this, I'd suspect. I mean if you're wife or girlfriend were planning on buying you something like this, she would have already done it. Right?

--- On Mon, 12/20/10, john barrick <barrickjohn262@gmail.com> wrote:

 

Oh no, the missing imbedded picture thread again.  Two biggest threads are the "Watcher" mix and " I can't see imbedded Frank's pictures. 8-)

 

A bit early, but Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas, et. al. to the list!

 

John

From: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com [mailto:newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Daniel
Sent: Tuesday, December 21, 2010 9:49 AM
To: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [newmellotrongroup] Studio B

 

I see the picture!?

What the...? I rarely see the picture.

Dan

--- In newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com, "John Wright" <john.wright@...> wrote:
>
> This link is from Echo Park; still in business. Note the M400 in the
> Studio B picture. Must be Bruce's?
>
>
>
> http://www.echopark.com/studios.shtml
>
> Regards,
>
> John
>
>
>
>
> ________________________________
>
> From: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com
> [mailto:newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Bruce Daily
> Sent: Monday, December 20, 2010 8:10 PM
> To: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: Re: [newmellotrongroup] M400 for sale
>
>
>
>
>
> Hi John-
> Echo Park Studios was it. Paul is a nice guy. Between arranging a
> time to meet, and the intense March rain, we managed to get the beastie
> in my rusty Bronco II. An interesting trip from and back to Colorado.
> Paul told me the only cut that my 'tron was used on was the track "Mr.
> Bellows" on Mellencamp's "Mr. Happy Go Lucky" cd. Obviously MKII flute.
> I had to do a rebuild of the power supply. It had been modified to
> use the SMS-3 controller, and the mod was a bit sloppy. Many wires were
> much too long, and there were poor solder joints. Fixed it, along with
> some other usual stuff, and the whole machine was much quieter.
> The machine runs well now, but needs new pinch rollers. The 40-year
> old ones tend to be a soft as rocks. They will probably be the next
> project.
> Bloomington is a nice place, but you don't want to get stuck in
> traffic near Indiana University between 4 and 5 PM. Those traffic jams
> make that city seem MUCH bigger.
>
> -Bruce D.
>
>
> --- On Mon, 12/20/10, john barrick <barrickjohn262@...> wrote:
>
>
>
> From: john barrick <barrickjohn262@...>
> Subject: Re: [newmellotrongroup] M400 for sale
> To: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com
> Date: Monday, December 20, 2010, 5:19 PM
>
>
>
> Hey Bruce, this is the other John, late of Cincinnati. Paul
> Ahern is the guy you got yours from. I can't remember the name of the
> studio either, but it was touted as "the place that John Mellencamp
> records most of his stuff". Supposedly the tron was used on a couple of
> his songs.
>
> I went up to see it the Saturday before the end of the auction,
> then you outbid me on the thing. It looked to be in pretty decent
> shape, though you couldn't play a straight note on it at the time, as
> everything on it was slipping.
>
> There, you've got it, my memories of your Mellotron.
>
>
> On Mon, Dec 20, 2010 at 1:15 PM, Rick Blechta <
> rick@...
> <http://us.mc636.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=rick@...> >
> wrote:
>
>
>
>
> On Dec 20, 2010, at 1:49 PM, Bruce Daily wrote:
>
>
>
> Hey John-
> I purchased my 'tron from a private owner in
> Bloomington. He kept it in a studio, but I can't remember the name of
> the place at the moment.
> Hard times for Mellotron sales & auctions. I
> noted that the 2 units offered on ebay from Jon Salley's estate didn't
> even get bid on. I hope they eventually find a good home.
>
>
> Bad time of year to be selling something like this, I'd
> suspect. I mean if you're wife or girlfriend were planning on buying you
> something like this, she would have already done it. Right?
>

--- On Tue, 12/21/10, John Wright <john.wright@consona.com> wrote:

 

Thanks John-

  Neat to see the picture.  When I picked up my 'tron, it was in studio A, a sizable but cozy feeling studio.  I didn't see studio B.  It's probably in a different building.

  It seems that some studios are in unexpected locations and buildings.  The exterior of Echo Park certainly didn't give away what was inside.  It just looked sort of like a warehouse.  But, you have to stay secure.  There's a sizable studio here in downtown Loveland CO, in an upstairs area.  Our old downtown area is fairly small, but I can't even guess where the studio is.

 

   -Bruce D.

--- On Tue, 12/21/10, John Wright <john.wright@consona.com> wrote:

From: John Wright <john.wright@consona.com>
Subject: RE: [newmellotrongroup] M400 for sale
To: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com
Date: Tuesday, December 21, 2010, 6:31 AM

 

This link is from Echo Park; still in business.  Note the M400 in the Studio B picture.  Must be Bruce's?

 

 

http://www.echopark.com/studios.shtml

 

Regards,

 

John

 

 

From: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com [mailto:newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Bruce Daily
Sent: Monday, December 20, 2010 8:10 PM
To: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [newmellotrongroup] M400 for sale

 

Hi John-

  Echo Park Studios was it.  Paul is a nice guy.  Between arranging a time to meet, and the intense March rain, we managed to get the beastie in my rusty Bronco II.  An interesting trip from and back to Colorado.

  Paul told me the only cut that my 'tron was used on was the track "Mr. Bellows" on Mellencamp's "Mr. Happy Go Lucky" cd.  Obviously MKII flute.

  I had to do a rebuild of the power supply.  It had been modified to use the SMS-3 controller, and the mod was a bit sloppy.  Many wires were much too long, and there were poor solder joints.  Fixed it, along with some other usual stuff, and the whole machine was much quieter.

  The machine runs well now, but needs new pinch rollers.  The 40-year old ones tend to be a soft as rocks.  They will probably be the next project.

  Bloomington is a nice place, but you don't want to get stuck in traffic near Indiana University between 4 and 5 PM.  Those traffic jams make that city seem MUCH bigger.

 

   -Bruce D.

--- On Mon, 12/20/10, john barrick <barrickjohn262@gmail.com> wrote:

From: john barrick <barrickjohn262@gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [newmellotrongroup] M400 for sale
To: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com
Date: Monday, December 20, 2010, 5:19 PM

 

Hey Bruce, this is the other John, late of Cincinnati.  Paul Ahern is the guy you got yours from. I can't remember the name of the studio either, but it was touted as "the place that John Mellencamp records most of his stuff".  Supposedly the tron was used on a couple of his songs.  

I went up to see it the Saturday before the end of the auction, then you outbid me on the thing.  It looked to be in pretty decent shape, though you couldn't play a straight note on it at the time, as everything on it was slipping. 

There, you've got it, my memories of your Mellotron.

On Mon, Dec 20, 2010 at 1:15 PM, Rick Blechta <rick@rickblechta.com> wrote:

 

On Dec 20, 2010, at 1:49 PM, Bruce Daily wrote:

Hey John-

  I purchased my 'tron from a private owner in Bloomington.  He kept it in a studio, but I can't remember the name of the place at the moment.

  Hard times for Mellotron sales & auctions.  I noted that the 2 units offered on ebay from Jon Salley's estate didn't even get bid on.  I hope they eventually find a good home.

Bad time of year to be selling something like this, I'd suspect. I mean if you're wife or girlfriend were planning on buying you something like this, she would have already done it. Right?

--- On Tue, 12/21/10, lsf5275@aol.com <lsf5275@aol.com> wrote:

 

Err, how high?

Hope you had fun here in Colorado, Frank.  Too bad our paths didn't cross.

 

  -Bruce D.

--- On Tue, 12/21/10, lsf5275@aol.com <lsf5275@aol.com> wrote:

From: lsf5275@aol.com <lsf5275@aol.com>
Subject: Re: [newmellotrongroup] M400 for sale
To: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com
Date: Tuesday, December 21, 2010, 6:09 PM

 

Bruce, I was just out in Longmont recently. I should have remembered and stopped by to say high.

 

Frank

 

In a message dated 12/21/2010 7:59:41 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, pocotron@yahoo.com writes:

 

Thanks John-

  Neat to see the picture.  When I picked up my 'tron, it was in studio A, a sizable but cozy feeling studio.  I didn't see studio B.  It's probably in a different building.

  It seems that some studios are in unexpected locations and buildings.  The exterior of Echo Park certainly didn't give away what was inside.  It just looked sort of like a warehouse.  But, you have to stay secure.  There's a sizable studio here in downtown Loveland CO, in an upstairs area.  Our old downtown area is fairly small, but I can't even guess where the studio is.

 

   -Bruce D.

--- On Tue, 12/21/10, John Wright <john.wright@consona.com> wrote:

From: John Wright <john.wright@consona.com>
Subject: RE: [newmellotrongroup] M400 for sale
To: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com
Date: Tuesday, December 21, 2010, 6:31 AM

 

This link is from Echo Park; still in business.  Note the M400 in the Studio B picture.  Must be Bruce's?

 

 

http://www.echopark.com/studios.shtml

 

Regards,

 

John

 

 

From: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com [mailto:newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Bruce Daily
Sent: Monday, December 20, 2010 8:10 PM
To: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [newmellotrongroup] M400 for sale

 

Hi John-

  Echo Park Studios was it.  Paul is a nice guy.  Between arranging a time to meet, and the intense March rain, we managed to get the beastie in my rusty Bronco II.  An interesting trip from and back to Colorado.

  Paul told me the only cut that my 'tron was used on was the track "Mr. Bellows" on Mellencamp's "Mr. Happy Go Lucky" cd.  Obviously MKII flute.

  I had to do a rebuild of the power supply.  It had been modified to use the SMS-3 controller, and the mod was a bit sloppy.  Many wires were much too long, and there were poor solder joints.  Fixed it, along with some other usual stuff, and the whole machine was much quieter.

  The machine runs well now, but needs new pinch rollers.  The 40-year old ones tend to be a soft as rocks.  They will probably be the next project.

  Bloomington is a nice place, but you don't want to get stuck in traffic near Indiana University between 4 and 5 PM.  Those traffic jams make that city seem MUCH bigger.

 

   -Bruce D.

--- On Mon, 12/20/10, john barrick <barrickjohn262@gmail.com> wrote:

From: john barrick <barrickjohn262@gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [newmellotrongroup] M400 for sale
To: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com
Date: Monday, December 20, 2010, 5:19 PM

 

Hey Bruce, this is the other John, late of Cincinnati.  Paul Ahern is the guy you got yours from. I can't remember the name of the studio either, but it was touted as "the place that John Mellencamp records most of his stuff".  Supposedly the tron was used on a couple of his songs.  

I went up to see it the Saturday before the end of the auction, then you outbid me on the thing.  It looked to be in pretty decent shape, though you couldn't play a straight note on it at the time, as everything on it was slipping. 

There, you've got it, my memories of your Mellotron.

On Mon, Dec 20, 2010 at 1:15 PM, Rick Blechta <rick@rickblechta.com> wrote:

 

On Dec 20, 2010, at 1:49 PM, Bruce Daily wrote:

Hey John-

  I purchased my 'tron from a private owner in Bloomington.  He kept it in a studio, but I can't remember the name of the place at the moment.

  Hard times for Mellotron sales & auctions.  I noted that the 2 units offered on ebay from Jon Salley's estate didn't even get bid on.  I hope they eventually find a good home.

Bad time of year to be selling something like this, I'd suspect. I mean if you're wife or girlfriend were planning on buying you something like this, she would have already done it. Right?

 

Seems to be more people selling trons than buying them now.

Mark

I listed my Novatron 400SM on e-bay a while ago. No offers. I listed it
on Craigslist about 9 days ago. I think I have it sold.

Pete

 

My M400S is sold.

Bernie

On Jun 21, 2014, at 16:49, "lsf5275@aol.com [newmellotrongroup]" <newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com> wrote:

On Jun 21, 2014, at 19:11, "tron400@yahoo.com [newmellotrongroup]" <newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com> wrote:

 

Actually Gino, a great idea.  You must have been a marketer in another life.  Take 3 or 4 33 LPs and display.  ITCOTCK, Foxttrot, Relayer, etc. 

On Sun, Jun 22, 2014 at 1:05 PM, gino wong wonggster@gmail.com [newmellotrongroup] <newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com> wrote:

I am putting mine in my luthier's music shop.  When I put a VCS3 in his shop people drove 90 miles from NYC to to see it. I am sticking  Minimoog on top and putting a black and white Ricky 4003 in a stand right next to it.

On Sat, Jun 21, 2014 at 2:58 PM, tron400@yahoo.com [newmellotrongroup] <newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com> wrote:

 

I have 4 personal roadies.

--

Gino Wong Birgelo

BSComm, BSEE,

ReRED Recording, Analog Sound Design

Audio Mastering, Recording & Restoration, Logistics

Ginowong@gmail.com

 

No problem.  $4,000 for the albums and throw the Tron in for free.

On Sun, Jun 22, 2014 at 1:43 PM, lsf5275@aol.com [newmellotrongroup] <newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com> wrote:

Someone will come into the shop, see the display and want to buy the records.

 

 

"Every time someone makes something idiot proof, someone else invents a better idiot..."

 

- Abraham Lincoln

 

In a message dated 6/22/2014 1:35:05 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com writes:

 

Actually Gino, a great idea.  You must have been a marketer in another life.  Take 3 or 4 33 LPs and display.  ITCOTCK, Foxttrot, Relayer, etc. 

On Sun, Jun 22, 2014 at 1:05 PM, gino wong wonggster@gmail.com [newmellotrongroup] <newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com> wrote:

I am putting mine in my luthier's music shop.  When I put a VCS3 in his shop people drove 90 miles from NYC to to see it. I am sticking  Minimoog on top and putting a black and white Ricky 4003 in a stand right next to it.

On Sat, Jun 21, 2014 at 2:58 PM, tron400@yahoo.com [newmellotrongroup] <newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com> wrote:

 

I have 4 personal roadies.

--

Gino Wong Birgelo

BSComm, BSEE,

ReRED Recording, Analog Sound Design

Audio Mastering, Recording & Restoration, Logistics

Ginowong@gmail.com

 

Oh thank you.

On Sun, Jun 22, 2014 at 5:17 PM, lsf5275@aol.com [newmellotrongroup] <newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com> wrote:

 

Excellent!

 

 

In a message dated 6/22/2014 1:56:55 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com writes:

 

No problem.  $4,000 for the albums and throw the Tron in for free.

On Sun, Jun 22, 2014 at 1:43 PM, lsf5275@aol.com [newmellotrongroup] <newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com> wrote:

Someone will come into the shop, see the display and want to buy the records.

 

 

"Every time someone makes something idiot proof, someone else invents a better idiot..."

 

- Abraham Lincoln

 

In a message dated 6/22/2014 1:35:05 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com writes:

 

Actually Gino, a great idea.  You must have been a marketer in another life.  Take 3 or 4 33 LPs and display.  ITCOTCK, Foxttrot, Relayer, etc. 

On Sun, Jun 22, 2014 at 1:05 PM, gino wong wonggster@gmail.com [newmellotrongroup] <newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com> wrote:

I am putting mine in my luthier's music shop.  When I put a VCS3 in his shop people drove 90 miles from NYC to to see it. I am sticking  Minimoog on top and putting a black and white Ricky 4003 in a stand right next to it.

On Sat, Jun 21, 2014 at 2:58 PM, tron400@yahoo.com [newmellotrongroup] <newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com> wrote:

 

I have 4 personal roadies.

--

Gino Wong Birgelo

BSComm, BSEE,

ReRED Recording, Analog Sound Design

Audio Mastering, Recording & Restoration, Logistics

Ginowong@gmail.com

--

Gino Wong Birgelo  BSComm, BSEE

ReRed Recording

Vinyl Recording Production Consulting

Audio Mastering, Recording, Restoration, 

Analog Synthesizer Programming, Sampling and Construction 

Publishing Administration

Ginowong@gmail.com