The Mellotron Group

What happened to Sun Ra's keyboards?

gino wong wrote:
> Wealth does not buy good sense.  I really hate that they have hosed 
> you again Jeff.
>
> Another good save.  It could have gone the way of Sun Ra's keyboard 
> collection. 
>
> What tape set is in 1190. I can't believe I am asking this. They buy 
> an antique SSL board and no extra racks for the mellotron.  Genetic fade.
>
> g
>
>  
>
> On Dec 19, 2007 2:41 PM, <jeffc@netaxs.com <mailto:jeffc@netaxs.com>> 
> wrote:
>
>
>     it is with mixed emotion that i announce the arrival
>     last nite of M400S serial 1190.
>
>     the good:
>     now i have 2 m400 mellotrons, though 1190 is really
>     just here for safekeeping for an undetermined stay.
>     it has a squeaky clean almost new [circa 2001] streetly
>     tape frame, and an updated motor card - one that i
>     cannot immediately identify [pics taken will be posted
>     ASAP]. it came with not only the 'bondage-muff' but
>     also in a road case - not one that i would ship it
>     around the world in, but more than adequate for local
>     or even cross-country touring. this m400 was originally
>     owned by a local [philly] r&b producer that gave it to
>     my boss a few years back, and has been in our studio
>     since then [being maintained and repaired by me when
>     needed - i have mentioned some of the stupidity that
>     it was subjected to previously on the old list]. it
>     seems that because it was well-protected in its early
>     life, it is, even now, in very good condition indeed.
>     the keyboard itself appears near mint - much better
>     than the one in serial 364. the biggest issue right
>     now is that i have no room in my studio for it until
>     i do a major overhaul, so the it's in the bedroom.
>     this DOES NOT please the wife [but the bondage suit
>     might come in handy if things get TOO ugly ;0) ]
>
>     the sad:
>     this came about as a result of the company i used
>     to work for closing down and clearing out the
>     studio complex. it was on the cover of MIX magazine
>     just a few years ago as one of the "best new rooms"
>     feature they do annually. a couple million $$ were
>     spent creating and gearing it [72 input SSL 9000J],
>     all quested monitoring, dual studer 24 tracks...]
>     but the studio business has gone so far into the
>     toilet that the facility can't even make its rent.
>
>     i did manage to weasel a couple other choice items
>     out of the place [again, just mine for safekeeping]
>
>     tc electronic 2290
>     [with unknown ram - i need to open it up and poke around]
>
>     eventide orville
>     [esentially an h7x00 if i am not mistaken]
>
>     lexicon pcm-91
>     [the reverb only unit that goes for about $1100 used]
>
>     and a roland jv-2080 with 7 [!] expansion cards
>     [i am decidedly unimpress with the sounds in this
>     thing, though there are THOUSANDS of them!]
>
>     i'll get the pics posted when i can - the motor
>     card is DEFINITELY updated [the metal bracket
>     that once held the OLD card is still there. this
>     m400 is also running on 220 via a quite heavy
>     transformer [is that the technically correct
>     term for a "step-up" unit?]. the new card is small
>     of stature and mounted on the bottom panel right
>     in the middle - it has one large blue cap on it.
>     the pics will no doubt solve any mysteries...
>
>     best,
>     jeff
>
>
>