Mellotronists

I talked to the guy who was selling #319. (I live close to San Antonio, 
so I figured that this was my chance to get a tron at a good price; 
that is, without shipping charges, etc. - and to actually inspect it 
before I bought it.) In a phone conversation, the tron owner stated 
that he had that tron on the road with him for many years, but that he 
"would not turn it on"  so I could inspect it because he was afraid 
that the motor might not work (after 15 years of storage.) He further 
stated the tron was working properly when he put it in storage, but 
that he knew that the tapes, rollers, etc, needed to be replaced. Ask 
yourself these questions: "Do I really believe that this tron was 
working properly when it was stored, given that the "business end" of 
this machine was in need of repair?" - "...and what about that 
motor?!!" Just do the math: rollers, tapes, motor, tubes, and other 
misc. parts = BIG BUCKS... but here is the money question: "When it is 
possible to buy a new one for just over 5 grand, why take the chance on 
a "pig in a poke?""

Thanks,
Galen Niles

PS - no sour grapes... just reality.