The Mellotron Group

As I have finally started to dig into this machine, I have discovered that  
there is a lot to like about it. I really think that this would have been a 
 great machine for a touring band, or in the studio. 
 
It's lighter than a standard Mellotron
 
It's sturdier than a standard Mellotron
 
It has four tracks instead of three.
It takes any standard tape frame but uses 1/4 inch tape.
 
Any of the four tracks can be mixed with any other in any combination
including all four at the same time.
 
Each track has its own separate controls for volume, EQ and panning  
left-right. 
 
 
I think it is unfortunate that this model never made it into mass  
production. I think it would have been immensely popular (for a Mellotron) if  they 
hadn't gone out of vogue.
 
It uses a standard motor as can be seen in the photos, but the capstan and  
pinch rollers are slightly smaller in diameter than a standard M-400. This 
may  or may not be a design flaw. I don't know yet because it was so whacked 
when it  came into the shop that it was nearly impossible to play. The 
rollers appear to  be in good shape and they spin freely, but the machine was so 
filthy and poorly  adjusted and the tapes are in such poor condition that 
it wasn't really very  easy to play.
 
Here are some photos for comparison to what we all know and love.
 

          
This is how it looked  upon arrival a while back. It's been in my shop 
since  May.
   
Here are the controls.  The black buttons are on/off for each track. Pitch 
is on the  left.
   
Inside
   
Inside the power pack.  That is an SMS-3 toward the front.
   
The keyboard frame is  one giant piece of stamped aluminum.
   
Keyboard frame with  pressure pads...
   
...and  without.
   
Notice that the motor  is not riveted. bolting a motor together is a pain 
in the ass, trust  me. Each bolt has to be correctly torqued. Even the 
slightest error  will cause the shaft to bind, amp draw to increase and the motor 
to  burn out.
   
I  have no idea what that crap is on the flywheel, but it was a bitch  to 
get off!
   
Here is the main frame  nearly torn all the way down. Also one big piece of 
stamped  aluminum.
   
Head  block
   
Close up of 4 track  heads. No azimuths to adjust. Those collars are locked 
in  place.
   
The whole thing was  pretty much of a filthy mess (as most are when I get 
them). Those  are line out jacks on the right side of the  photo
   
See, just like every  other  Mellotron...

 
So there you have it... A few photos exposing the "Dangerous Maytag."
 
 
Frank