The Mellotron Group

Good point about just getting tapes. However, I'm enjoying my current ones too much to not be able to play them. Besides, two kidneys are for sissies.

I had my introduction to the Streetly hunch 10 minutes after turning the tron on for the first time. The heads were filthy and needed cleaning. I instantly thought about the back condition I had only read about. She sounded great afterwards though. I now walk like a 90 year old man but I have a working Mellotron, so it's worth it!

-Dan #857
--- In newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com, jeffrey coulter <i_am_zontar@...> wrote:
>
> 
> you also have the option of just getting new tapes.
> installing the tapes also installs a back condition known as 'the streetly hunch' but it will pass.
> 
> if the frame is in good shape but the tapes dodgy then this is a more economical alternative, plus it would give you the opportunity to clean up the tape frame itself and check for buggered springs or turnbuckles.
> 
> you can keep the old tapes on a spool for re-use if you get another frame in the future.
> 
> just a thought...
> 
> jeff
> 
> 
> --- On Wed, 7/1/09, DaSwans <tspit74@...> wrote:
> 
> > From: DaSwans <tspit74@...>
> > Subject: [newmellotrongroup] Re: New tape frame and tapes from Streetly...
> > To: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com
> > Date: Wednesday, July 1, 2009, 9:27 AM
> > Thanks Mark. That's $780 today. Since
> > I'm only able to sell one kidney, I'm gonna have to think
> > long and hard about what my choice for a 3rd voice should
> > be. Only get one chance to get it right.
> > 
> > I'm sure it's worth it though. I was up past midnight
> > spacing out playing "Hairless Heart" from The Lamb, on the 3
> > violins with my Pro-One on top. What a sound!
> > 
> > Dan #857
> > --- In newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com,
> > markpringnz@ wrote:
> > >
> > > 
> > > Hi, welcome to the interesting world of mellotron
> > ownership. These things are not cheap, not for nothing is
> > the mellotron symposium in Canada called Moneypit! There can
> > be a wide range of opinion as to what they should sound
> > like, if you are happy with the sound, I wouldn't worry. (
> > well not too much)
> > > 
> > > I ordered a new frame and tape set from Martin last
> > year and it was 470 pounds UK.  The new frames are a
> > big improvement on the old. You might find, ok you will find
> > that you have to do a lot of work on the pads, springs and
> > rollers to make new tapes play properly as almost certainly
> > the keyboard adjustment will be way out. If you want a
> > perfect tron, the whole thing probably needs to be taken
> > apart and rebuilt! A lot depends on how you want it to sound
> > and how much time, effort and money you want to put into it.
> > Buying one is just the beginning.
> > > 
> > > Your tapes might not be as old as you think, my
> > machine ( #1565) came with  old but surprisingly good
> > tapes but I know that they are not the originals.
> > > 
> > > If you want to play in a band with it, you probably
> > need to replace the CM10 controller, I haven't on mine yet,
> > as I generally play it solo, on switch on it does take 5-10
> > minutes for the pitch to settle and it does have a tendency
> > to drift a little off pitch but it is quite stable on
> > playing chords, so I can live with it.  I believe that
> > the new controller does put a bit more strain on the motor
> > and  new motors are expensive!
> > > 
> > > The main thing is that it's worth it, after 18 months
> > I still get that "Good God I own  a mellotron" feeling
> > whenever I see or play mine.
> > > 
> > > Good Luck
> > > 
> > > 
> > > Mark
> > > 
> > > PS The azimuth on the tape heads will probably need
> > adjusting, not a job for the faint hearted! Probably better
> > to pay some one who knows how to do it.
> > > 
> > > --- On Wed, 7/1/09, DaSwans <tspit74@>
> > wrote:
> > > 
> > > From: DaSwans <tspit74@>
> > > Subject: [newmellotrongroup] New tape frame and tapes
> > from Streetly...
> > > To: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com
> > > Date: Wednesday,
> > >  July 1, 2009, 6:41 AM
> > > 
> > > 
> > > 
> > > 
> > > 
> > > 
> > > 
> > > 
> > > 
> > > 
> > > 
> > >     
> > >             
> > >             
> > > 
> > > 
> > >       
> > >       Anybody know what these
> > cost? I've had the freakin' thing for 3 days and I'm already
> > trying to figure out more ways to spend money I don't have
> > on an instrument I couldn't afford. I'm sick! But that's why
> > I'm here with all the other sickos.  
> > > 
> > > 
> > > 
> > > I must have choir.., must have brass.., must have...
> > must have... um... hmmm... What's a good 3rd voice? Oh, now
> > I know. The new string section! Something tells me a new
> > rack of tapes is more than I spent on the tron. So anyone
> > know for sure? 
> > > 
> > > 
> > > 
> > > I'm assuming old frames with old choir tapes don't
> > come up for sale often. I'd always be open to such an
> > option. It's not like I mind the 35 year old tapes I have
> > now (flute, 3 violins, cello).
> > >
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > ------------------------------------
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