The Mellotron Group

Hi all,

I'm batting .250 here, but this question is still worth a shot (my neighborhood doesn't quite have a "Mellotron Center" yet - or "Keyboard Center" for that matter ... LOL)

My M400 has a noticeable divot of sorts in the upper register "C" keytop. Really unusual. Seems something very sharp/heavy landed on it? What's more, there are horrible scratches all over the keytop as well, almost as if someone took 100 grit sandpaper to it. The only other thing I can think of is perhaps at one time someone's ciggie was placed on the key, created the divot and possibly burned the key until the cig burned out. I really don't know, it's kinda strange.

All the other keytops are in really nice condition, BTW. So this one key kinda sticks out...

I know I could probably resurrect it to some degree but honestly it would be easier for me to get a nice used or NOS key/keytop and be done with it.

Anyway, I called Streetly and asked Martin if he had a keytop and he told me that the new ones they are supplied with come in a complete molded set and that he couldn't disturb the set for one only. Totally understandable.

In a fit of desperation, I saw that MA has keytops listed on their (old?) site, but I still have not heard from Markus despite having tried in vain multiple times to contact him. So, I've all but given up on that source.

Otherwise, Martin has helped me out a lot in everything else and in my book is TOPS (no pun intended)!

Anybody out there have one for my M400?

Best,
Chris

Go to any piano supply web site.
 
Here's one. _http://www.balaams-ass.com/piano/keytoppt.htm_ 
(http://www.balaams-ass.com/piano/keytoppt.htm) 
 
Call them up and ask if they have a spare out of a set. You'll have to cut  
shape and polish it, but I've done it and it looks fine. Helps if you have 
the  tools. Markus has become very reclusive as of the last 6 months or so. 
I have  heard from others that he has not returned emails. He must be very 
busy.
 
 
In a message dated 6/30/2010 11:28:04 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,  
fazeka@gmail.com writes:

 
 
 
Hi all,

I'm batting .250 here, but this question is still worth a  shot (my 
neighborhood doesn't quite have a "Mellotron Center" yet - or  "Keyboard Center" 
for that matter ... LOL)

My M400 has a noticeable  divot of sorts in the upper register "C" keytop. 
Really unusual. Seems  something very sharp/heavy landed on it? What's more, 
there are horrible  scratches all over the keytop as well, almost as if 
someone took 100 grit  sandpaper to it. The only other thing I can think of is 
perhaps at one time  someone's ciggie was placed on the key, created the 
divot and possibly burned  the key until the cig burned out. I really don't 
know, it's kinda  strange.

All the other keytops are in really nice condition, BTW. So  this one key 
kinda sticks out...

I know I could probably resurrect it  to some degree but honestly it would 
be easier for me to get a nice used or  NOS key/keytop and be done with it.

Anyway, I called Streetly and asked  Martin if he had a keytop and he told 
me that the new ones they are supplied  with come in a complete molded set 
and that he couldn't disturb the set for  one only. Totally understandable.

In a fit of desperation, I saw that  MA has keytops listed on their (old?) 
site, but I still have not heard from  Markus despite having tried in vain 
multiple times to contact him. So, I've  all but given up on that source.

Otherwise, Martin has helped me out a  lot in everything else and in my 
book is TOPS (no pun  intended)!

Anybody out there have one for my  M400?

Best,
Chris

lsf5275@aol.com wrote:

>  
>
> Helps if you have the tools.
>

Yes, I'd say that is highly likely. A bit like the way that playing the 
harp helps if you have fingers. :-)

Piano tuners usually have key top material and the tools to shape it in their bag of tricks. A lot of tuners do restorations and have a stock of different shades and textures of the material. I'd suggest just calling a few piano tuners in your area and get it fixed (unless you live in Siberia or something). 

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "zogher" <fazeka@gmail.com> 
To: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com 
Sent: Wednesday, June 30, 2010 10:27:57 PM 
Subject: [newmellotrongroup] Good used/NOS M400 keytops available? 






Hi all, 

I'm batting .250 here, but this question is still worth a shot (my neighborhood doesn't quite have a "Mellotron Center" yet - or "Keyboard Center" for that matter ... LOL) 

My M400 has a noticeable divot of sorts in the upper register "C" keytop. Really unusual. Seems something very sharp/heavy landed on it? What's more, there are horrible scratches all over the keytop as well, almost as if someone took 100 grit sandpaper to it. The only other thing I can think of is perhaps at one time someone's ciggie was placed on the key, created the divot and possibly burned the key until the cig burned out. I really don't know, it's kinda strange. 

All the other keytops are in really nice condition, BTW. So this one key kinda sticks out... 

I know I could probably resurrect it to some degree but honestly it would be easier for me to get a nice used or NOS key/keytop and be done with it. 

Anyway, I called Streetly and asked Martin if he had a keytop and he told me that the new ones they are supplied with come in a complete molded set and that he couldn't disturb the set for one only. Totally understandable. 

In a fit of desperation, I saw that MA has keytops listed on their (old?) site, but I still have not heard from Markus despite having tried in vain multiple times to contact him. So, I've all but given up on that source. 

Otherwise, Martin has helped me out a lot in everything else and in my book is TOPS (no pun intended)! 

Anybody out there have one for my M400? 

Best, 
Chris

----- Original Message -----