The Mellotron Group

#1565 arrived today, I still can't believe it. To my
inexpert eye it doesn't look too bad for a machine
built over 30 years ago which has been in storage for
14 years. I will post some photos later.

It has one broken tape spring and the track selector
arm has come loose, the tapes look ok, I haven't
removed the keyboard yet, there are a few electrical
leads floating about. I don't think I would dare plug
it in if I had a power cable which  I don't, although
I know Martin can supply one.

I have realised 2 things.

1) I don't know anything about mellotrons.
2) By the time I get this thing working ( which I
suspect might be a considerable time) I will.

I'll post a bit more in a few days but at the moment I
am in still in a state of shock, all I can do is stare
at it.

Mark



      ____________________________________________________________________________________
Looking for last minute shopping deals?  
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On Tue, 8 Jan 2008, Mark Pring wrote:

> #1565 arrived today, I still can't believe it. To my
> inexpert eye it doesn't look too bad for a machine
> built over 30 years ago which has been in storage for
> 14 years. I will post some photos later.


please do share the pics...


> It has one broken tape spring and the track selector
> arm has come loose, the tapes look ok, I haven't
> removed the keyboard yet, there are a few electrical
> leads floating about. I don't think I would dare plug
> it in if I had a power cable which  I don't, although
> I know Martin can supply one.


you should replace the a/c socket with whetever is appropriate
in your region. those bulgin plugs/jacks have been depricated
to 50 volts - they are NOT really safe to use, thought i suspect
many on the list ere still using them. it's a trivial task to
replace the socket on the power supply, and one that you need
to do regardless of any other service.


> I have realised 2 things.
>
> 1) I don't know anything about mellotrons.
> 2) By the time I get this thing working ( which I
> suspect might be a considerable time) I will.


neither did i when i got my first m400.
you have a resource that i didn't have: this list
there is more expertise concentrated here than you could buy anywhere.
use us.
yeah - we're a bunch of cranky old sods, but helpful cranky old dods.
i think i can speak for most here when i say that we all derive a lot
of pleasure helping resurrect a mellotron.


> I'll post a bit more in a few days but at the moment I
> am in still in a state of shock, all I can do is stare
> at it.
>
> Mark


'breathe deep the...' ;0)
oh never mind...

best!
jeff

Mark, the loose leads I saw in one of the updated auction photos 
appeared to be the old co-axial cable that connected the head block to 
the pre-amp.  It appeared to have been replaced at some with new cable 
and that someone had simply dropped the old in the cabinet.  If it's not 
connected to the power supply, and your machine remains unplugged, you 
may want to examine it and see if it's attached to anything at the other 
end.  I could be wrong, but it certainly appeared to be co-ax with an 
old belling-lee connector on it.

Enjoy the site, dream, and remember to breathe every once in a while.
best,
johnb


Mark Pring wrote:

>
> #1565 arrived today, I still can't believe it. To my
> inexpert eye it doesn't look too bad for a machine
> built over 30 years ago which has been in storage for
> 14 years. I will post some photos later.
>
> It has one broken tape spring and the track selector
> arm has come loose, the tapes look ok, I haven't
> removed the keyboard yet, there are a few electrical
> leads floating about. I don't think I would dare plug
> it in if I had a power cable which I don't, although
> I know Martin can supply one.
>
> I have realised 2 things.
>
> 1) I don't know anything about mellotrons.
> 2) By the time I get this thing working ( which I
> suspect might be a considerable time) I will.
>
> I'll post a bit more in a few days but at the moment I
> am in still in a state of shock, all I can do is stare
> at it.
>
> Mark
>
> __________________________________________________________
> Looking for last minute shopping deals?
> Find them fast with Yahoo! Search. 
> http://tools.search.yahoo.com/newsearch/category.php?category=shopping 
> <http://tools.search.yahoo.com/newsearch/category.php?category=shopping>
>
>

In a message dated 1/8/2008 5:49:47 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,  
markpringnz@yahoo.com writes:

#1565  arrived today, I still can't believe it. To my
inexpert eye it doesn't look  too bad for a machine
built over 30 years ago which has been in storage  for
14 years. I will post some photos later.

It has one broken tape  spring and the track selector
arm has come loose, the tapes look ok, I  haven't
removed the keyboard yet, there are a few electrical
leads  floating about. I don't think I would dare plug
it in if I had a power  cable which I don't, although
I know Martin can supply one.

I have  realised 2 things.

1) I don't know anything about mellotrons.
2) By  the time I get this thing working ( which I
suspect might be a considerable  time) I will.

I'll post a bit more in a few days but at the moment  I
am in still in a state of shock, all I can do is stare
at  it.




]
 
 
When you are ready to learn,  contact me.  



TronDoc
Mellotron  Restoration and Repair
Mellotrons available for live
performance and  recording

_www.myspace.com/trondoc_ (http://www.myspace.com/trondoc) 
_tronsaver@aol.com_ (http://tronsaver@aol.com/)  




**************Start the year off right.  Easy ways to stay in shape.     
http://body.aol.com/fitness/winter-exercise?NCID=aolcmp00300000002489

In a message dated 1/8/2008 6:40:00 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,  
rick@rickblechta.com writes:

 
1)  I don't know anything about mellotrons.
2) By the time I get this thing  working ( which I
suspect might be a considerable time) I  will.

I'll post a bit more in a few days but at the moment I
am in  still in a state of shock, all I can do is stare
at  it.



Mark! Loose leads you say? Those could potentially be very dangerous, if  not 
life threatening to everyone you hold near and dear!!


Please repack it again very, very carefully and send it to me  immediately. I 
will make sure it's disposed of in a safe manner so it can  never potentially 
harm anyone ever again.


Boy, am I glad I caught this in time!


Rick



If you listen to me, you will learn. I have restored 21 Mellotrons. contact  
me privately and I will teach you.
 
 
 


TronDoc
Mellotron  Restoration and Repair
Mellotrons available for live
performance and  recording

_www.myspace.com/trondoc_ (http://www.myspace.com/trondoc) 
_tronsaver@aol.com_ (http://tronsaver@aol.com/)  



**************Start the year off right.  Easy ways to stay in shape.     
http://body.aol.com/fitness/winter-exercise?NCID=aolcmp00300000002489

In a message dated 1/8/2008 11:50:09 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,  
rick@rickblechta.com writes:

Yes, Frank, but you don't have the Twat and Handbag Pub just down the  
Uttoxeter Road where you can wheel down the mellotron to remind it again what  it is 
to be a daughter of Olde Blighty. Sorry, Montana Steak House just  doesn't 
cut it...


Rick



What's Montana Steak House? As for the Twat and Handbag, I think they're  
opening one here in Centreville (the murder capitol of Virginia). We have an  
O'Leary's Irish Pub here. I don't think anyone of Irish heritage has ever been  
in it. We also have a Outback Steak House for that authentic Australian dining  
experience.
 
What does this have to do with Mellotrons, you ask?
 
Frank



**************Start the year off right.  Easy ways to stay in shape.     
http://body.aol.com/fitness/winter-exercise?NCID=aolcmp00300000002489

Two things Mark

1 Don't listen to these guys

2.  If you are OCD , sell it quick



Good luck

gino

On 1/8/08, Mark Pring <markpringnz@yahoo.com> wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
>
> #1565 arrived today, I still can't believe it. To my
>  inexpert eye it doesn't look too bad for a machine
>  built over 30 years ago which has been in storage for
>  14 years. I will post some photos later.
>
>  It has one broken tape spring and the track selector
>  arm has come loose, the tapes look ok, I haven't
>  removed the keyboard yet, there are a few electrical
>  leads floating about. I don't think I would dare plug
>  it in if I had a power cable which I don't, although
>  I know Martin can supply one.
>
>  I have realised 2 things.
>
>  1) I don't know anything about mellotrons.
>  2) By the time I get this thing working ( which I
>  suspect might be a considerable time) I will.
>
>  I'll post a bit more in a few days but at the moment I
>  am in still in a state of shock, all I can do is stare
>  at it.
>
>  Mark
>
>  __________________________________________________________
>  Looking for last minute shopping deals?
>  Find them fast with Yahoo! Search.
> http://tools.search.yahoo.com/newsearch/category.php?category=shopping
>  


-- 
Wanted:
Davoli Synthesizer (Davolisynt A/B)
Kawai / Teisco 60F,100F,110F, SX210, SX240
Other odd rare unusual and maligned electronic instruments and devices

Gino Wong
Recording Engineer, Studio Supervisor
Philadelphia Regional Library f/t Blind and Physically handicapped
LBPH
919 Walnut Street
Phila, PA 19128 USA
(800) 222-1754

Centerville? Is that the "a real nice place to raise your kids" from 
200 Motels Centerville?


--- In newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com, lsf5275@... wrote:
>
>  
> In a message dated 1/8/2008 11:50:09 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,  
> rick@... writes:
> 
> Yes, Frank, but you don't have the Twat and Handbag Pub just down 
the  
> Uttoxeter Road where you can wheel down the mellotron to remind it 
again what  it is 
> to be a daughter of Olde Blighty. Sorry, Montana Steak House just  
doesn't 
> cut it...
> 
> 
> Rick
> 
> 
> 
> What's Montana Steak House? As for the Twat and Handbag, I think 
they're  
> opening one here in Centreville (the murder capitol of Virginia). 
We have an  
> O'Leary's Irish Pub here. I don't think anyone of Irish heritage 
has ever been  
> in it. We also have a Outback Steak House for that authentic 
Australian dining  
> experience.
>  
> What does this have to do with Mellotrons, you ask?
>  
> Frank
> 
> 
> 
> **************Start the year off right.  Easy ways to stay in 
shape.     
> http://body.aol.com/fitness/winter-exercise?
NCID=aolcmp00300000002489
>

In a message dated 1/9/2008 12:31:11 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,  
kornowicz@cox.net writes:

Centerville? Is that the "a real nice place to raise your kids" from  
200 Motels Centerville?
 




It's spelled Centreville. We don't have any motels in  Centreville. We do 
have about 200 Chinese take-out restaurants, though.
 
 
Frank



**************Start the year off right.  Easy ways to stay in shape.     
http://body.aol.com/fitness/winter-exercise?NCID=aolcmp00300000002489

Hi Bernie -  I was working at an art supply store in Kansas City as a
summer job in 1977.  One afternoon a couple came in made some
purchases.  I rang them up and when they presented their check, I
noticed their address was in Centerville, Ia.  I remarked,
"Centerville?", and without missing a beat, they replied, in unison,
"yes, a really nice place to raise your kids up".  

johnb

--- In newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com, "Bernie" <kornowicz@...> wrote:

>
> Centerville? Is that the "a real nice place to raise your kids" from 
> 200 Motels Centerville?
>

Frank, are Flo and Eddie employed as waiters in any of them.
johnb


--- In newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com, lsf5275@... wrote:
 

> It's spelled Centreville. We don't have any motels in  Centreville.
We do 

> have about 200 Chinese take-out restaurants, though.
>  
>  
> Frank

In a message dated 1/9/2008 3:40:58 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,  
astroboy@cinci.rr.com writes:

Frank,  are Flo and Eddie employed as waiters in any of  them.
johnb
 
Not likely. As I recall, those guys were into cheese  enchiladas.



**************Start the year off right.  Easy ways to stay in shape.     
http://body.aol.com/fitness/winter-exercise?NCID=aolcmp00300000002489

--- In newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com, lsf5275@... wrote:
>
> In a message dated 1/9/2008 12:31:11 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,  
> kornowicz@... writes:
> 
> Centerville? Is that the "a real nice place to raise your kids" 
from  
> 200 Motels Centerville?
>  
> 
> 
> 
> 
> It's spelled Centreville. We don't have any motels in  
Centreville. We do 
> have about 200 Chinese take-out restaurants, though.
>  
>  
> Frank
> 

Sorry, I thought it was a typo. 200 Chinese take-outs is good though.

John, 200 Motels was a regular midnight movie around here for 
several years in the 70's. Ringo Starr did a great job playing 
Zappa. I had a copy on VHS at one time...wish I knew where it 
disappeared to.

Bernie

--- In newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com, "john barrick" 
<astroboy@...> wrote:
>
> Hi Bernie -  I was working at an art supply store in Kansas City 
as a
> summer job in 1977.  One afternoon a couple came in made some
> purchases.  I rang them up and when they presented their check, I
> noticed their address was in Centerville, Ia.  I remarked,
> "Centerville?", and without missing a beat, they replied, in 
unison,
> "yes, a really nice place to raise your kids up".  
> 
> johnb
> 
> --- In newmellotrongroup@yahoogroups.com, "Bernie" <kornowicz@> 
wrote:
> >
> > Centerville? Is that the "a real nice place to raise your kids" 
from 

> > 200 Motels Centerville?
> >
>