Mellotronists

Hi folks,

Norm's black ex BJH 400 was owned by me from 1988 to 2005 ish. I bought it from a guy near Manchester for £200 (those were the days!) and already had two ex Strawbs tape frames that I bought in the mid 80s from a guy in an agency that dealt with their gigs. The second set of frames that came with the 400 were marked BJH on the label and included French Horns and boys choir.

I used the 400 for many years including on my track for the 'Rime of the Ancient Sampler'.

The 400 was serviced by Martin and John circa 94 when they put a new motor and controller in. (They loaned me an ex King Crimson 400 while that was being done).

The 400 was sold to Norm by my now ex partner when we split up, but at least I know it's in good hands.

Regarding demagging heads, I used a simple TDK cassette head demagger on it with great success, which I've also used on everything from cassettes to multitracks. The main advantage is that you don't have to switch it on and wave it about. The TDK one has a switch on the side with associated LED that 'fires' the demagging charge. So as long as you remove the tapes first (obviously) it works fine.

Here the info on Peter Sellers tron: I'm respoinsible fot eh info here as I found out in the later 70s that he had owned one. The details are in a biography called Peter Sellers-the mask behind the mask' (sorry the author's name escapes me at the moment). There it's called the Melotrone! PS introduced Princess Margaret and Lord Snowdon to one, mSpike Milligan was a fan, and according to the book, Seller's instrument ended up with jazz pianist Alan Clare (who appeared in Milligan's Q TV series.

Mind you Martin Smith says that Peter Sellers was so incensed that Streetly should actually ask Princess Margaret of payment (they had to repossess the one at Kensington Palace) that he sent his one back!

Best wishes,

Dave.

M400 #1514 - black vinyl factory covered version with a slightly different shaped cabinet and a Bradmatic label on the back - supplied by Streetly a few years ago. Apparently a prototype (the red one was scrapped!), it eventually ended up with BJH. Evidence of regular servicing throughout its life, also did a period of service with Harris hire. As far as I am concerned it seems to be one of the most stable M400s I have ever seen. Also have an additional four frames.

Norm