Mellotronists

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

From: "Markus Resch" <markusr@...>
To: <Mellotronists@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Saturday, October 22, 2005 7:04 PM
Subject: [Mellotronists] Tape widths


Markus/all

> In some machines the rollers need to be tightened a bit harder to
compensate
> for the slightly reduced drive of the black matte tapes, but the machines
> that have this problem (very hard and non-gripping rollers due to aged
> rubber) need new rollers anyway. THAT is the big improvement, the marginal
> difference between the tapes is totally negligeable compared to the vast
> improvement with new rollers in these machines.

When \ufffdnglag\ufffdrd used #1145 in Belgium in summer '03, tapes were switched
around between machines. Towards the end of the set, after much heat, smoke
etc., a set of Markus' tapes installed in my machine slipped horrendously,
to the amusement of all and sundry, and my utter horror. I've since decided
the reason was my fairly knackered old rollers - a few have now been
replaced, and the whole lot have been ground my Martin/John to a tyre shape,
which really does work as well as they say. I've used it at four gigs this
year, with its standard late '70s tapeset, and have had no problems
whatsoever. Markus is quite right about pinch rollers - replace or grind, I
say.

Andy T.

Hi all!

Rarely Dave's cutting jig could play havoc, and in some of these instances
Dave didn't notice this. As said, one of the tape sets was given away FREE.
I use a different cutting jig nowadays.

With so many tapes Dave made it's not surprising that one or the other
faulty set slipped thru. I've seen many MkII's that work perfectly with
Dave's tapes.

The tape I use nowadays is of a different type, but has matte black backing,
and works great - both in new and old machines. And the tape is NEW, so it
will last for a long time.

In some machines the rollers need to be tightened a bit harder to compensate
for the slightly reduced drive of the black matte tapes, but the machines
that have this problem (very hard and non-gripping rollers due to aged
rubber) need new rollers anyway. THAT is the big improvement, the marginal
difference between the tapes is totally negligeable compared to the vast
improvement with new rollers in these machines. Having rebuilt many machines
(400 and MkII) this is the improvement that my customers have valued the
most.

An old Mellotron with new MkVI precision rollers with lubricated metal
centre is a dream to play, fast and non-wobbly.

Best

Markus

In a message dated 10/22/2005 10:41:03 AM GMT Daylight Time,  
andy.thompson@... writes:

the  whole lot have been ground my Martin/John to a tyre shape,
which really  does work as well as they say


Dear All,
 
I,ve also had my rollers ground by John and Martin and am very pleased with  
the results.
 
All the best,
Norm