Newbie Needs HELP!!!!!
2006-12-14 by guitarcitymusic
Hey Everyone, Don't mean to waste your time with this folks but I've just joined this forum as a big fan of this wonderful creation we all know and refer to as the Mellotron. You see I've fell in love with those orchestrated sounds heard on such albums as "In A Threshold Of A Dream" by the Moody Blues and "In The Court Of The Crimson King" by King Crimson as a youngster. Now in my early thirties, I've decided to get a grip on myself, come back down to reality and try to locate and obtain a 'tron of my very own. I'm a musician that fronts a rock group primarly playing guitar but have owned a number of diffent keyboards such as a Rhodes, Wurly, Vox Continental, Farfisa, Moogs, etc. But as fate whould have it I have never been blessed with an old Mellotron of my own (go figure). I plan on writing music soon utilizing one so I need help locating one. The 'tron that my heart is set on is the vintage MKII because I believe that's what was used on late 60's releases by the Moodies and Crimson. The problem (or solution) is I live in Southern California and don't run into many of them here. I understand that newer versions of the Mellotron have been released but don't know how they stack up to the older versions. I'm no 'tron expert by any means (like I said I'm a newbie). My question is what is the price range for a working vintage MKII and how difficult is it to locate one today? I've tried eBay but hardly ever see one up for grabs. Yeah, I'm aware that not many were produce (a few hundred or whatever) but I still want one regardless. If not I would have to settle for one of new ones (better than nothing) as long if they're still making tapes that will make it sound virtually identical to the classic MKII. Any help or suggestions would be greatly welcomed. BTW, Anyone know the survival rate for a MKII? (in other words how many are left now) Thanks, Eric