Synthfind

“Vintage 1980 Mellotron Model 400SM in Good Condition. Made in Cornwall Bridge, CT, USA.

I am listing this for the original owner. The original paperwork, instructions and schematics are included.

Mellotron is all original with all panels and parts intact. Unit was used in a studio and was not gigged.

PML2 Circuit. Has the original standard tape set.

Fires right up and produces classic Mellotron tone. All keys and functions work properly.

One of the tapes is broken, but can probably be spliced.” Link

“This a Mellotron M400S, S/N 1236 made in the 1970′s. It is in pretty good condition considering it’s almost 40 years old. It comes with 3 fully loaded tape racks. It includes one tape rack carrying case. There are 60 brand new replacement tape heads and 35 used ones (low mileage). There is the muff case, some paperwork and Frank Samagio’s “The Mellotron Book”.. I used to repair Mellotrons and Chamberlains, so I bought this to familiarize myself with the machine. I am not a musician so this ‘tron has very low mileage! I have played it for about 4 hours since I have owned it (early ’80′s). The tape racks consist of the following sounds: Tape rack #1: the basic tape pack; flutes, cellos and violins and is in very good condition. Tape rack #2: another basic tape pack; flutes, cellos and violins and is in good condition. Tape rack #3: is a popular optional tape pack; three violins, brass and mixed choir and is in very good condition. Additionally, there are two reels of used tapes that are in fair to good condition. I cannot recall the various sounds, however the reels are marked mandolin/flutes/choirs and mixed strings/violin/cello. Again, I am not sure what sounds are actually there. I do know that they were removed from a Mellotron that was owned by Rick Wakeman. There is also a very rare (early) control panel plate. I also have some extra hardware (not shown) that was used for customer repairs. This unit has not been abused! The late Richard Burmer last used it for his last (never released) album. He would of purchased it from me however he sadly left us before we could finalize our deal. I do have schematics and service manuals, however I will have to locate them. ” Link

“This auction is for a very rare Mellotron. If you found this-you know what it is!

Mellotron M 400 S
serial #886
There were only about 1800 of the M 400′s made!

This Mellotron has been taken very good care of” Link

“Mellotron mk VI (white cabinet finish). in great like new condition;

Comes with flute, choir and cello tapes. great deal and a great addition to any studio!!!

Interior pics added…. this unit mechanically and cosmetically is basically brand new and the internals are immaculate and its priced to sell!

heres a comparison on the mk vi and the mellotron m400…..The exterior of the Mellotron Mk VI looks like a the vintage Mellotron 400. Its functions and features are preserved in the new model. The keyboard has wooden keys like the old Mellotrons and the tape frames (3 instrument sounds per frame) are interchangeable. ” Link

“Here we have a perfect working & clean cosmetic condition Mellotron VI for auction.

This wonderful warm sounding instrument (with a tube output) has been well looked after
in a smoke free studio and has never been on the road.

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Included with the actual Mellotron :

Custom made road-case on wheels with an easily detachable lid.
(The keyboard is pictured in the lower half of the road-case)

Four tapes with three sounds on each set (see list below)
Male choir
Female choir
Celeste
Harp solo
Harp roll
Cello
M300 strings
M viola
Piano
Solo vocal
M Cello
Pizzicato Strings

Three cases for the tapes as pictured (One tape stored in the machine).” Link

“his is a very nice original Mellotron. #1618, May 1976. It has spent its whole life in homes or studios, as attested by the clean finish and known history. I’ve owned it for the better part of 10 years, and know it was well cared for through the last couple decades. The second tape frame still has its original box, it was addressed to Ocean Records in Indianapolis and the few newspapers still inside from original packing are from 1980. From any view down through the innards, this is a pretty clean machine. It has definitely never lived in a garage.

Other really good things about this Mellotron: two tape frames, the headblock was azimuth aligned by Streetly about three years ago and is singing beautifully, the SMS2 motor controller card (keeps pitch no problem with an 8 finger chord), and I’ll send you numerous extras assuming I can find them all like a copy of The Mellotron Book, The Rime Of The Ancient Sampler CD, a framed original Mellotron ad, and a demagnetizer. Yes, we spell it with a ‘z’ for the friends in the UK.

The tape frames have a bit of redundancy in the sounds. One has 3 Violins, 16 Violins, and Cello, and the other has Violins, Cello, and Flute. So what you’ll probably want to do is order at least one set of new tapes, and it’ll be a lot cheaper installing them in one of these frames than it would be to buy a whole new frame. Speaking of which, I have a couple additional new frames I’ve bought from Streetly that I will be selling separately, with first rights at a modest price to the winner of this auction. I will say of the included frames with this machine that I personally don’t hear any differences in the sound quality from the original tapes versus the brand new frames I have, although the 2nd frame with the flutes has the start marker cut at the wrong point (edge of spill box, not right over the heads).

This Mellotron is about as nice as you are going to find without buying a brand new one or one that’s been through a $2,000 restoration. It is perfectly, very nicely, playable as is and will send shivers up your spine to hear those haunting strings, and put a smile on your face every time you walk by and glance at it. The only issues are a few slightly warped keys as you can see towards the top end of the keyboard. You can play it just fine, they don’t really affect the machine, but obviously you’d prefer to have them all perfectly straight. The other thing is, as you’ll find on any original Mellotron, the action is a little stiff. Really, the only thing I think this could use at all is a little service to the pinch rollers to get them spinning a little more freely, or perhaps a new set of rollers. Then you could really lighten up the action. But, I must emphasize again, this is not a basket case. It is not bad, or abnormal. ANY original Mellotron will be just the same (or much much worse).

I have tremendously enjoyed my time as a proud owner of one of these magnificent machines, but the new way of the world (economy and all) and fatherhood compels me to sell at this value range. I salute all those brethren who lovingly care for these machines, the impact they’ve provided on the music that’s shaped our lives speaks for itself.” Link

“Mellotron Model 400SM circa 1970′s with volume pedal and custom hardshell calzone case. Very good condition and plays well. Whisper quiet. Updated motor card. Newer rack of tapes and original tapes as well. Never gigged with. ” Link

“1978 Mellotron M400!
#1338 in Very Excellent Condition! Worldwide Shipping in Anvil Case!

ITEM: For your consideration is this vintage 1978 Mellotron M400 keyboard. Favored by many musical giants from the 1960′s to the present, the Mellotron is the signature sound of countless hit songs like The Beatles’ “Strawberry Fields Forever”, The Stones’ “2000 Light Years From Home,” and David Bowie’s “Space Oddity.” The M400 model, the iconic white Mellotron, is still quite rare. Though they were manufactured from 1970-78, there were only about 1800 made, and significantly less are still working, or even in existence.

This example, #1338, is a great example, as : A) it works, B) it works perfectly with no issues, and c) is in about as good shape cosmetically as you’re likely to find anywhere. Additionally, this example is all-original, from the tape/tape heads, to the motor, to the electronics to the cabinet – this unit is now as it was back in ’78.

Mechanically, everything in this unit is in good working order: the 3-way selector switch, Volume, Tone and Pitch control all work without any scratching, popping, noise, or intermittence, the motor runs smoothly, and the original tape rack works perfectly. Also included in this auction are the original Bulgin power cable, and volume pedal, both of which are in perfect working condition, and look fantastic to boot.

Cosmetically, they don’t get much better than this! There are, naturally, a few small superficial flaws (2 dings, one each on the top left and right corners), however, the overall condition is worthy of display with even the finest vintage instrument collections, if not in a museum. While the exterior is in very excellent condition, the one wood panel in between the keyboard and the control panel appears to have been oversprayed, as has the portion on the back panel where the placard would be. ALL of the components display matching serial numbers.

The ‘Tron comes with the original standard tape frame, including: Violin, Cello, and Flute. The custom-made ATA Anvil case, is not included with the keyboard, and will be used to protect the ‘Tron for transport anywhere in the World. We will arrange pickup and shipment back to our facility. Please be sure to examine our many photographs to your right, all of which are of the actual instrument.”

“I’m selling my vintage Mellotron M400 keyboard. It is in excellent working and cosmetic condition. It has the Flute/Violins/Cello tape frame. I prefer local pick up, if you would like to ship it you are welcome to arrange and pay for it.” Link