Mellotronists

In a message dated 03/28/2002 2:03:20 PM Eastern Standard Time, 
jimmy.pishock@... writes:

> 
> This question was probably asked only about a million times; however, I'm
> going to raise it again:  "How much would it cost to have a flight case 
> made
> for the Mellotron-- worthy of air travel."  Are there certain things one
> should disengage when flying a Mellotron (remove the keyboard, remove 
> frozen
> human torso from inside cabinet, etc.)?

Jimmy - 

     I shipped my M400 in its custom made ("worthy of air travel") flight 
case a few months back and still there was damage.  I made the mistake of 
leaving in the tape frame - never again.  Even though I had all the 
thumbscrews tightened down and had rubber bands securely holding the tape bar 
in place on both ends, a couple of the thumbscrews came completely out of the 
frame, probably due to vibration, and the rubber bands broke.  This resulted 
in my favorite tape frame flopping about wildly during transport, spewing 
oxide from the tapes over everything inside, and slight damage to the OUTER 
side of the M400 lid from a thumbscrew rattling around inside the flight 
case.  For this to happen, the entire case must have been upside down at some 
point during the trip.  I can now imagine them flipping the flight case over, 
off the wheels, and stacking it on top of something else inside a big truck.  
The freight company completely disregarded the "fragile" and "this side up" 
signs clearly marking the case.  This was ground transportation, so maybe air 
freight would be less stressful (less time = less stress?).

     If I ever ship it this way again (doubtful), it will be without the tape 
frame.  I may even remove the keyboard and tape box cover.  If in doubt about 
how to ship, just consider what will happen if it is sent "upside down".  I 
don't mean to scare you, I've transported both of my M400s in the past 
without incident.  Just take out the tape frame.


Ken M.