| Feature |
Chamberlin Music Master 600 |
Mellotron Mark I |
| Type |
Tape replay keyboard |
Tape replay keyboard |
| Media |
3/8", 3-track, 6 stations |
3/8", 3-track, 6 stations |
| Cycling sections |
3 cycling sections (rhythm, accompaniment, solo) |
2 cycling sections (rhythm+fill, lead) |
| Keyboard |
L: 40 keys (split, 15+25), R: 35 keys |
L: 35 keys (split, 18+17), R: 35 keys |
| Preamp |
Transistor, 9V battery power |
Tube, mains (transformer) powered |
| Cycling mechanism |
Chain drive with no idler or adjustment (prone to slipping),
analog computer made with relays, "sweeper" constructed with a bolt |
Chain drive with idler, SSCU, dial "sweeper"; Mark II had
improved chain |
| Station select tape |
Slot in the tape to allow electrical contact |
Pulse tape read by a tape head |
| Keyboard lock during station change |
No |
Yes |
 |
| Sound quality |
Good, full |
It's a Mellotron |
| On-board effects |
Reverb |
Reverb |
| On-board amplification |
Off-the-shelf stereo amplifier, modified |
Transistor-based amplification |
| Speakers |
2 |
2 |
| Foot-operated keyboard |
Yes, 15 pedals attached to rhythm keys |
No |
| Foot pedal for volume |
Yes |
Yes |
| Tape columns |
Plastic material tape separators, dual roller turnbuckle;
springs fastened to the bottom of the cabinet; tapes on drums |
Plastic material tape separators, dual roller turnbuckle;
springs fastened to the bottom of the cabinet; tapes on drums |
| Tape path |
3/8" with combs, pad arm, pinch roller |
3/8" with combs, pad arm, pinch roller |
| Tape path adjustments |
Screw for pinch roller |
Screws for pinch roller and pad arm; nylock nut for key
tension |
| Key throw |
appx. 3/4" (instrument may not be adjusted correctly) |
3/8" |
| Motor speed (pitch) control |
No |
Yes |
| Power |
Mains; 9V battery for preamp |
Mains with transformer |
| Controls |
Track Select Lever (rhythm)
Station Select (rhythm)
Station Select (accompaniment)
Rhythm Volume
Accompaniment Volume
Track Select Lever (accompaniment)
Track Select Lever (solo)
Reverb (for solo keyboard)
Volume
Station Select (solo) |
A/B/C Track Select (rhythm)
Station Select
A/mix/B/mix/C Track Select (fill)
Rhythm Volume
Fill Volume
Pitch Control
Reverb (for lead keyboard)
Volume
Station Select
A/mix/B/mix/C Track Select (lead) |
| Control Labels |
Label maker |
Printed on metal plates |
| Indicator lamps |
Yes, above station selects |
Yes, above station selects |
| Safety |
Has mains voltage throughout; any metal surface is a shock
hazard |
Internal metal surfaces do not carry mains voltage |
| Cabinet |
Plywood with dark veneer surface; the appearance is
utilitarian |
Plywood with veneer surface and thick polyurethane coat
(prone to cracking); appearance is quite nice (along the line of the Hammond
Organ) |
Overall the Mellotron is a fair bit ahead except where it counts most:
sound quality! That's the part that Harry got right. Go figure!
'dem Bones, 'dem Bones
After a bit of chit-chat, the four of us left for a
Somerville landmark, Redbones, for
some lunch. You want ribs? Redbones. It's a hip hangout for
the locals.
Following lunch Jerry spun up a DVD of some of the various
MONEYPIT exploits from Vermont, and then it was time to call it a day.
At
some point we fully expect the Q Division Mark II brought back into
shape, possibly with the Chamby to follow, but we'll see what the Q Division
lads have in store and will keep in touch!
On our way back to my place, Jerry and I took a detour away from
things Mellotronic and visited a bit of the area's history in the form of the
old Middlesex Canal-->
