Robertsonics Mellotron 1

In January of 2003, after years of intermittent searching, I became the owner of a Mellotron Model M400S, serial number #380. This is a tape replay keyboard, and uses magnetic audio tape to play recordings of actual acoustic, and usually orchestral, sounds. Microprocessors and digital memory made these instruments instantly obsolete, but not before they introduced a whole generation to progressive rock music. The picture on the right shows the condition it was in when I brought it home - not bad for an electro-mechanical instrument built sometime in the very early 70s. It even works.

My plan is to restore #380 to original condition and outfit it with a new set of tapes. I'll take pictures along the way and hopefully document the process for the few people in the world who might actually be interested.

	The pages below contain a record of the restoration process. Admittedly, there are probably way more notes and pictures than many people will have patience for, but this is as much for my own benefit as anything; I have little documentation and need to know how put it all back together again! If, in the process, this helps some other poor sole, so much the better.

	January 2003 - Arrival & Inspection

	July 2003 - Disassembly (3 pages)

	February 2005 - Cabinet refinished, Reassembly started