The Mellotron Group

I couldn't help notice in the last two pics, when did you get hold of
the Taurus I pedals?
 
John
#911

________________________________

From: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com
[mailto:newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of lsf5275@aol.com
Sent: Sunday, November 15, 2009 1:30 AM
To: newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com; Mellotronists@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [newmellotrongroup] Re: Another 4-Track update (she's nearly
done)


I finally got to hear the 4-Track. I finished the major work about an
hour ago. Now all I have to do is minor adjustments on 4 playback heads
and to adjust the SMS-3 and fine-tune the motor. It really should have a
new motor, but that is not my decision. I also have to clean the line
out and swell pedal sockets; they're a little dicey. I also think I am
going to have to glue some, if not all of the pinch rollers to the hubs.
 
It sounds fantastic... and a bit different than a M-400. The keyboard
now feels great. The action is pretty fast and very light.
 
Here are some photos with comments. I will eventually upload them to the
Yahoo site. If you right-click and save these photos you can see a lot
more detail.
 
  	This was a mistake. I should have done them one pad, one key at
a time as I do on 400s. I could have saved some time in fine-tuning.
  	Finished keyboard. The keys look uneven along the front, but
they're not. It's just my shitty camera.
  	As you can see, the 4-Track keyboard is deeper than the M-400
keyboard.
  	Crappy old tapes. Poorly installed and completely shot.
  	The old tapes. For some reason there was an extra tape guide on
the frame. All of them were binding and with the tapes being too long,
they wouldn't return when the key was released.
  	I took one out and inserted a spacer, then realigned them all to
spin properly. With 1/4 inch tape you need to keep friction to a
minimum.
  	I saved the old tapes and put them on a spool. The owner may
want them as a reminder of what fucked up tapes look like.
  	Nice new tapes.
  	This rig makes installing them a snap. It took less than an
hour.
  	Here is one of the preamps.
  	I finally found the serial number. Sure enough, it is # 1
  	Here everything is all tucked in. I fixed up the cabinet a bit.
  	Ready to play.
  	Taking the 4-Track for a test drive. It's the one in the center
for those not paying attention.
  	Still quite a bit of work to be done, but I'm close. It should
be ready for pick up in a couple of days.
Sunday is for football.