The Mellotron Group

On Wed, 19 Dec 2007, gino wong wrote:

> Wealth does not buy good sense.  I really hate that they have hosed you
> again Jeff.


no real hosing involved.
i guess i actually made out pretty well:
a mellotron and a few grand's worth of processing.



> 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


hey - at least they had the good sense to listen to
me and buy a new frame from streetly.

i did a little more digging on this mellotron.
it belonged to richard barrett:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Barrett_%28musician%29

richard left us in august of last year [2006].
i don't know what, if any, tracks this m400 was used on.
more digging is in order...

...jeff


> On Dec 19, 2007 2:41 PM, <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
> >
> >
>