Mellotronists

Okay...I was thinking upon this from a tinkering (and not a 
marketing) point of view. Mark I's and II's I'm sure were designed 
to be purposely intimidating to protect their niche in the 
marketplace; any inventor would obviously built something that way. 
And of course the M-400's right down to the unique tape width.

But as you know, with the price of the things used and new up there 
in value recently, the discussion here has been raised before about 
producing a similar home shop machine, or improving its efficiency. 

J-Tron...and on...

Of course I want the real thing, not some cheap knock-off. Mellotron 
history, service...it's set in stone and worth its weight in gold--
at least to me. If I ever make some kind of keyboard that replays 
pre-recorded tape, only one would ever be built and if it lasts as 
long as I do, I'd probably request to be buried with it.