Mellotronists

I was looking at the mellotron.com website today and noticed that 
they now have a two keyboard, 70 key model for $ 9,800.00 USD. I 
missed my chance in 1976 to get a two keyboard, 70 key Mk V for $ 
8,500.00 from mellotron/Sound Sales in Sherman, Conneticut (note, the 
purchasing power of $ 8,500.00 in the year 1976 is about $ 26,000.00 
in today's dollars). So this new instrument looks like a bargain to 
me, too bad I'm still broke.
George Summers, Houston, Texas USA I've got M 400 S s/n 553 I bought 
new in Nov 1974 in my native Virginia/Washington, D.C. area

----- Original Message ----- 

From: "George Summers" <gpsummers@...>
To: <Mellotronists@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Sunday, February 22, 2004 4:59 AM
Subject: [Mellotronists] 2 keyboard, 70 key mellotrons


> I was looking at the mellotron.com website today and noticed that
> they now have a two keyboard, 70 key model for $ 9,800.00 USD. I
> missed my chance in 1976 to get a two keyboard, 70 key Mk V for $
> 8,500.00 from mellotron/Sound Sales in Sherman, Conneticut (note, the
> purchasing power of $ 8,500.00 in the year 1976 is about $ 26,000.00
> in today's dollars). So this new instrument looks like a bargain to
> me, too bad I'm still broke.

Well, *that* appeared very quietly, didn't it? The 'Mark VII'. I'm surprised
Dave/Markus haven't made a bigger deal out of it, given the rarity of Mark
Vs over the (relatively) commonplace M400. Anyone seen/heard one?

Andy T.

Andy Thompson wrote:

> > I was looking at the mellotron.com website today and noticed that
> > they now have a two keyboard, 70 key model for $ 9,800.00 USD. I
> > missed my chance in 1976 to get a two keyboard, 70 key Mk V for $
> > 8,500.00 from mellotron/Sound Sales in Sherman, Conneticut (note, the
> > purchasing power of $ 8,500.00 in the year 1976 is about $ 26,000.00
> > in today's dollars). So this new instrument looks like a bargain to
> > me, too bad I'm still broke.
>
> Well, *that* appeared very quietly, didn't it? The 'Mark VII'. I'm surprised
> Dave/Markus haven't made a bigger deal out of it, given the rarity of Mark
> Vs over the (relatively) commonplace M400. Anyone seen/heard one?
>
> Andy T.

  ------------------------------------------------------------------------

Greetings,  Thanks for the tip George and Andy.....
Didn't know about it either until I looked moments ago.

A MK-VI with longer capstan and dual valve preamps?
Or two MK-VI's attached together , as in my custom
built JKMK6 , built in 1998-2001 .   Dunno.
....some investigation,enquiries here are in order.....

The MK-V from Sound Sales CT, was a demo unit.
Bill Eberline brought that one with him from DMI, NJ
in 1976 .  It finally resided in his living-room in
Cornwall Bridge,CT  .  Was borrowed by Neil Diamond
for use on "Love At The Greek" live LP .  That instrument
has been the property of Pierre Veilleux of Montreal
since 1995 or thereabouts......Hope this helps.  --  JK--

Ahh, finally found it on the Mellotron web site (link on the products page, 
look real close).

Jerry, I think it's two *complete* units in one box.

All the controls (except for track selection) are over the left manual.  I 
blew up the photo to see if I could get a better look, but it's not really 
clear (most of the items are black).  What it *looks like*:

on/off, pitch, hi/lo speed, tone, volume, pitch, hi/lo speed, tone, volume, 
on/off switch

I may have some of the knobs confused (I cannot see any labeling), but it 
looks like two complete sets, which is why I think there are two units in 
there.

The mahogany finish is stunning.  There's a pic of a Mark VI like 
that---very nice.  If #1037 strips down to reveal good skins, who knows...

...kl...
M400 #805 - feeling snubbed
M400 #1037 - [uhhh...stripped down...?]

----- Original Message ----- 

From: "Ken Leonard" <ken@...>
To: "Mellotronists" <mellotronists@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Monday, February 23, 2004 1:22 AM
Subject: Re: [Mellotronists] 2 keyboard, 70 key mellotrons


> Ahh, finally found it on the Mellotron web site (link on the products
page,
> look real close).

Well spotted, Ken - I missed the link.

> I may have some of the knobs confused (I cannot see any labeling), but it
> looks like two complete sets, which is why I think there are two units in
> there.

Better place for the controls than on the MkV - unlike the MkVI, this unit
actually looks different to its predecessor. I think John's right - it must
have a hinged lid with the cables routed down the back.

> The mahogany finish is stunning.  There's a pic of a Mark VI like
> that---very nice.

Pretty gorgeous, innit? What's the story, Markus?

Andy T.

hi all ,

i'm not use to post on the list but I like to read ! sometimes it's 
really funny ! 8^)
So now i post because I just come back from blithbury where my m400 
#1498 was serviced and upgraded by two extremely friendly guys : 
martin and john . Big trip for me , i bring the mellotron from paris 
to blithbury ( the closer big city is birmingham ).Then I met the two 
mellotron experts . while I visit england they work hard on the 
mellotron and in 3 days it was like a brand new machine ! incredible !
before the servicing it was horrible but I think like most mellotron 
in the world . now ,it's incredible how  playable it is . it's 
fantastic . the mellotron do not worth his bad reputation anymore .
so I would like to thank martin smith and john bradley for their 
fantastic job and the fun . Really exciting to see how fast they take 
to pieces the mellotron !
and I would like to tell to any real musician that 30 years old 
machine need a full service to be full playable . i have wait three 
years before decided to go for the servicing . And it was three 
tiedous years with 3 notes chord only . now I can really sit on the 
keyboard without any detuning ! unbelievable !
so i'm extremly happy 

long life to mellotron


be seeing you

-Olivier
(sorry for my bad english ..)

----- Original Message ----- 

From: "superx_v52" <superx_v52@...>
To: <Mellotronists@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Tuesday, February 24, 2004 1:07 PM
Subject: [Mellotronists] 1498 full service


> hi all ,
>
> i'm not use to post on the list but I like to read ! sometimes it's
> really funny ! 8^)
> So now i post because I just come back from blithbury where my m400
> #1498 was serviced and upgraded by two extremely friendly guys :
> martin and john . Big trip for me , i bring the mellotron from paris
> to blithbury ( the closer big city is birmingham )...

> -Olivier
> (sorry for my bad english ..)

Oliver neglects to mention that he's the keyboard player for excellent prog
terrorists Nebelnest, whose recent album on Cuneiform, 'Nova Express', is
well worth your attention, with plenty of 'Tron, real and sampled.

Andy T.