Mellotronists

Fellow mellotronists,

Over the past several months I've been having frequent chats with one 
Martinge Smith of Streetly Electronics. (I'm sure you're all familiar 
with him!) The reason for these discussions was a very special 
commission which Streetly undertook at the end of last year on behalf 
of a collector who was interested in something "a bit out of the 
ordinary" for mellotrons, something very special indeed.

As the project unfolded, I was taken into Streetly's confidence and 
developed a magazine article which I sold to Robb Report, which if 
you're not familiar with it, bills itself as the "monthly lifestyle 
magazine for the affluent".  How does this fit in with those rather 
plain white boxes we all know and love? Well, dear reader, you have two 
choices. I encourage you to purchase the June Issue of Robb Report 
which contains their annual "Great Machines" extra issue. It's due out 
on newsstands next Wednesday. Or you can check out 
www.mellotronics.com. Just click on the bottom image (believe me you'll 
know which one it is) and see what the Streetlys have been up to.

This special "Skellotron" is based (very loosely) on the original demo 
unit built in the '70s. With the design help of Martin's son, Paul (a 
very talented industrial designer), they have built something quite 
unique. Due to the requests of the commissioning collector, it is 
something more than even the most diehard "tronniac" might ask for, but 
it is, literally, a work of art. The entire unit was made in-house by 
Streetly, although a few things such as the gold plating (I'm not 
kidding) obviously had to be hired out.

So now, besides rebuilding and repairing our classic machines and 
making plans for various upgrade kits as well as a limited run of 
400-based instruments, Streetly has now moved into a vastly different 
realm where they are creating unique musical instruments based on our 
favourite beasts.

I invite you to look at the latest example of John's and Martin's (and 
Brian's) many years of dedication and hard work to the mellotron 
community. I guarantee your jaw will drop. Even though I was privy to 
what was going on as they worked on the unit, I was completely 
"gobsmacked" by the final results when Streetly sent me the photographs 
of the Skellotron prior to the submission of my article to Robb Report.

It really is quite extraordinary.

Rick (SFX 10030 -- "What, no wise ass comments tonight?"