The Mellotron Group

you will find this to be an invaluable resource:
http://kleonard.com/mellotron/

you can even look at pictures of some of us, but do it on an empty stomach.
please.

...jeff


--- On Wed, 7/1/09, DaSwans <tspit74@comcast.net> wrote:

> From: DaSwans <tspit74@comcast.net>
> Subject: [newmellotrongroup] Re: New tape frame and tapes from Streetly...
> To: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com
> Date: Wednesday, July 1, 2009, 2:09 PM
> 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).
> > > >
> > > 
> > > 
> > > 
> > > 
> > > ------------------------------------
> > > 
> > > Yahoo! Groups Links
> > > 
> > > 
> > >     mailto:newmellotrongroup-fullfeatured@yahoogroups.com
> > > 
> > > 
> > >
> >
> 
> 
> 
> 
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