Mellotronists

Hi Jon/Jerry/all:


I think it was put together sometime in late 72 or early 73. This was
presumably done to keep the two 400's in tune with each other during tours.
I have acquired a fair amount of information about the machine both in
documents and talking to people claiming to be involved but some accounts
contradict each other and I think there's a fair mix of accurate/inaccurrate
info. Some of it's from Wakeman himself. I've got to finish a web page on
it.

Here is some of it anyway. *You* decide the facts/myths:

- machine was put together from two early 400s. (probably not disputed! :)
- fireproof case - wouldn't burn no matter how matter how much gas was
tossed on it. (hmmmmmmm)
- first used for the close of CTTE tour when separate 400's wouldn't stay in
tune together. (Anderson was particularly annoyed).
with exception of Relayer (which was Moraz)  - it was used on all subsequent
Yes/Wakeman recordings/tours until 1978 when it was stolen from storage
(along with lots of other keyboards - this is why Wakeman never used his old
stuff in the 80's)
- custom recordings/re-edited tapes also made for machine done in Complex 7.
- toured 7 times around the world including 1 Strawbs tour.
- band Wally might have used it for their album.
- some people associated with the instrument in various capacities include
Peter Levesly, Peter Robinson, Michael Tate, John Cleary, Frank Levi, Roy
Martin
- ideas/hints for marketing/building Mark V came from this machine as
Wakeman's use of it would have been influential at the time and other groups
(Moodies/Crimson/Genesis etc no longer used double units), also more revenue
for double unit.
- before 1990's mellotron revival it was supposedly the most
videographed/photographed machine in the 70's/80's appearing in music
promos/Rockschool video/Rock Hardware Book, and other instructional material
where photo of mellotron was needed. (if true- then probably stock footage
used over and over again)


Again *you* decide.


On the subject of  400D -  watched video Dave Kean sent me in 1992. I
remembered him talking about 400Cs/Ds in this video.

He says 400C's have CMC-4 board/metal serial # plate, and brass capstan,
400-D's have SMS board, and nickel/metal capstan.

If this is true then the 400D designation only applies to one machine on 6
Wives inside cover because Brass/Strings/Flute mellotron has a brass
capstan. (For nitpickers only! :)



Chris








----- Original Message -----
From: "jonesalley" <jonesalley@...>
To: <Mellotronists@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Sunday, March 07, 2004 6:50 PM
Subject: [Mellotronists] 400-D?


> Even though it's obviously not in the album centerfold shot, perhaps
> it's the first reference to the (D)ouble Wake-o-tron!  Chris?  When
> was that behemoth originally put together?
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> Yahoo! Groups Links
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