Mellotronists

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "ceccles_ca" <ecclesreinson@...>
To: <Mellotronists@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Tuesday, April 18, 2006 8:21 PM
Subject: [Mellotronists] Re: "Patches"...and other things...


> When the Mellotron/Chamberlin was created... why only 35 notes???
>
> from mellotron.com:
> "Chamberlin Model 300/350 (two separate cabinets) and the organ style
> cabinet Model 600/660 Music Master. These machines used 3/8ths in.
> tape and had thirty five keys, G to F. Harry felt that this range was
> enough to cover the useable range of most instruments and still left
> room in the cabinet for another 35 note keyboard..."

...Which both does and doesn't really answer the question! The keyboard
seems to cover the useable range of the violin, specifically, which could be
where Harry was coming from. That 'still left room in the cabinet for
another 35 note keyboard' bit is particularly weird - why not make the
cabinet marginally bigger?

Andy T.