The Mellotron Group

Cello, Strings, Flute. I'm guessing M400 Strings but he doesn't know and I  
haven't heard either frame because it don't work. I've already started 
tearing  it apart. Since I don't have another 400 around at this time, I'll have 
to wait  a bit to hear the tapes.
 
I'm going to build it a new cabinet. The plan for now is to build it out of 
 all MDF or a combination of MDF and Baltic Birch plywood.
 
 
Frank
 
 
In a message dated 2/28/2011 3:29:14 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,  
tspit74@comcast.net writes:



Cool Frank.  Just out of curiosity, what tape set did this Leo character 
have loaded into  his tron?
----- Original Message -----
From: lsf5275@aol.com
To:  newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Monday, February 28, 2011 1:53:09  PM
Subject: Re: [newmellotrongroup] Re: Freddy Fender  Mellotron

From right here on the list. A few week ago Matt Meixner popped up with  
one to sell. I drove out to Milwaukee the weekend before last and picked it  
up. Matt also has a Mark VI with four tape frames.
 
I can't verify for dead certain this is that machine unless Leo can find  
his purchase receipt or until I can complete the link to Matt. I have to  
verify one more transaction. The odds are likely that this is it, but I'm  
working to be sure. Otherwise, I'll have to say is "might" be the one.
 
 
 
In a message dated 2/28/2011 12:30:57 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,  
gabru@comsec.net writes:

 
 
Nice find  Frank.  How did you acquire it? 
Gary 
 
 
 
From: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com  
[mailto:newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of  lsf5275@aol.com
Sent: Monday, February 28, 2011 9:22  AM
To: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [new  mellotrongroup] Re: Freddy Fender Mellotron

 
It appears  that I have acquired the actual Mellotron that was used on the 
1974  recording session in which Freddy Fender re-recorded Wasted Days and 
Wasted  Nights, which went on to be a big hit. It was owned and played by a 
man  named Leo O'neil, who was actually a horn player. I tracked Leo down and 
he  gave me some history. He says he also played it live quite a bit and 
told me  the one night Patrick Moraz was in the audience at one of Leo's gigs. 
It was  after a Moody Blues show and Patrick came out and caught his show.  
Afterward, Leo says that Patrick came up to him and complimented him on  
his playing style and on the sound he was getting out of  it.
 

 
Leo  attributes his skill on the Mellotron to the fact that as a horn 
player he  was used to playing fewer notes and to holding them for brief periods. 
 He said his playing style was, "to use only one or two fingers down low 
and  the one finger an octave or more above, and to move around on the 
keyboard  so as not to run the tape out."
 

 
So there you  have it.
 

 
I only have  to trace one more link and I'll know for sure that this is 
that  machine.
 

 
It's a real  mess, but it will get better.