Mellotronists

A while back someone mentioned that they were surprised that when they 
played their mellotron for the first time it didn't have "that sound" they 
were expecting (which was absolutely my experience when M400 s/n 121 showed 
up here). I realize it's a personal thing, but to me "that sound" is King 
Crimson's, In the Court of... Anyway, seems to me the discussion ended up 
deciding that "that sound" has  to do with the mellotron being amped by a 
Hiwatt amp with a touch of reverb. So...has there ever been any thought of 
producing tape sets of standard sounds played/mic-ed thru a Hiwatt with the 
prescribed amount of plate reverb?

Okay everyone can go back to the who's cooler Martin or David thing. I'm 
grateful they both are resources.  If  I had to pick though, I'd go with 
Martin due to his often mentioned disdain for REM