Mellotron Mark I/II
SPECIFICATIONS
| Years of Production | Mark I: 1963 – Mark II: 1964 – 1968 |
| Number of Units | about 55 – Mark II: about 300 |
| Original Price | £1,000 |
| Dimensions L x H x P | 129.5 x 99 x 68.5 cm |
| Weight | 159 kg |
The Mark I is the very first Mellotron model, based on the same concept as the Chamberlin 600 Music Master.
[ Cf. History ]
Because of their reliability problems, most Mark I’s were converted to Mark II’s when this model was released in 1964.
In particular, a keyboard locking system during the change of banks has been added.
Except for some technical details, Mark I and Mark II are quite similar.
The finish of the Mark II cabinet was polished mahogany. Only six Mark II were black with a gold serigraphy (Pink Floyd and John Lennon had one of these).
Mark II had two 35 note keyboards (G to F). The left hand keyboard is divided in two parts: a rhythm section (keys 1 to 17) and an accompaniment section (keys 18 to 35). The right hand keyboard played the lead parts among 18 instrument sounds.
Mark II used 3/8″ tapes. The sounds were recorded on 3 tracks, one sound on each track.
Each keyboard used 6 banks of 3 sounds. One selector granted access to one of the six banks, and another selector allowed the player to chose one the 3 tracks (A, B, C) in each bank.
For the accompaniments and the lead instruments, the selector had black buttons, which were aimed at playing two tracks together (A+B or B+C).
The tapes were fixed on a drum at the front and the rear. During the change of sound bank, a warning light flickered, and a locking system prevented any action on the keyboard.
The drums were activated by a motor using a chain.
A special tape was aimed at locating the different banks. Once the tapes located the desired bank, the warning light stopped to flicker, which meant that the Mellotron could be used.
Many bands (Genesis, The Moody Blues, King Crimson…) replaced the rhythm and accompaniment sounds of the left keyboard by the right hand keyboard’s sounds of lead instruments.
The most famous example of the use of a double lead instruments keyboard is the intro of Genesis’ Watcher Of The Skies:
Left hand keyboard: Accordion
Right hand keyboard: Violins + Brass
[ Audio excerpts in Audio section ]
Mark II had two 12″ built-in speakers, a tube preamp, two transistor power amps and a spring reverb. The replay heads had a high impedance.
The internal circuits used alternating current.
The motors’ speed was controlled by a V.F.O. (Variable Frequency Oscillator). The VFO delivered 150 volts, and its frequency was variable (10 to 100 Hz). This system was very fragile; as a consequence, from the FX Console, the next Mellotron models used direct current, and their motor was ruled by the CMC4 control card.
Several parts like spunkers, chains… are made by Meccano.
- Article on the Meccano parts used in the Mellotron in the Canadian MeccaNotes #31 of September 2003 (pages 20 to 22)
Compared to the sound of other Mellotrons (and most notably the M400), the sound of the Mark II is quite typical. Because of the use of a tube preamp, its sound is warmer, sweeter, softer. It can be found on King Crimson’s first three albums (In The Court Of The Crimson King, In The Wake of Poseidon, Lizard), Genesis’ first three albums (Trespass, Nursery Cryme, Foxtrot) and the first Moody Blues records.
[ Audio excerpts in Audio section ]
The Beatles recorded parts of Mellotron on a Mark II rented by Abbey Road Studios for Strawberry Fields Forever and the album Magical Mystery Tour in 1967.
According to the Anthology 2 compilation, we discover a first version of Strawberry Fields Forever in which the introduction is played with the Brass sound.
Subsequently, Abbey Road acquires an FX Console which will be used on The White Album.
This Mellotron will be sold in 1980 to Mike Oldield to finally be bought by Paul McCartney in the 90s.
[ Cf. Anecdotes ]
Robert Webb, the keyboardist of the England band, used a Mellotron Mark II cut in half: one of the two keyboards was kept and installed in a plywood cabinet, this in order to have an instrument more easily transportable.
This “new” Mellotron was nicknamed The Black Melly or Half-a-Tron.
- The Restoration Of The Mellotron – Half’A’Tron – Sound On Sound – March 2015
- Old page of the group’s website with a section on Half-a-Tron
Ron L. Hubbard reportedly had a Mark II too. This Mellotron was ordered in 1965, was played until 1967, but has not been used ever since. It is one of the best preserved Mark II today. After a small repair at Streetly Electronics, it has returned to the Scientologist Church.
Princess Margaret and Peter Sellers are a few of the other personages who have owned a Mark II.
PHOTOS
VIDEOS
DOCUMENTATION
[Thanks to Michael Wookey]
[Thanks to Brian Kehew]
SOUND LIST
Mark I
| RHYTHM | CHANNEL | ADDED BACKGROUND | CHANNEL | LEAD INSTRUMENT |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A. Bossa Nova B. Viennese Waltz C. Slow Waltz | 1 Key C | A. Cello & Violin Moving Chords B. Marimba C. Celeste | 1 | A. Flute B. Rock Guitar C. Organ N° 1 |
| A. Rhumba B. Afro-Cuban C. Reverberated Organ | 2 Key C | A. Guitar B. Afro-Cuban C. Reverberated Organ | 2 | A. Violin B. Trumpet / Trombone / Sax C. Tenor Sax |
| A. Dixieland B. Slow Foxtrot C. Foxtrot | 3 Key Ab | A. Trombone B. Clarinet, Alto, Tenor C. Woodwind | 3 | A. Spanish Guitar B. Piano C. Vibraphone |
| A. Church Organ B. Cha-Cha C. Moving Bass | 4 Key F | A. Church Organ B. Swinging Flutes C. Cello & Violin Chords | 4 | A. Trombone B. Brass (Muted) C. Mandolin |
| A. Foxtrot B. Bolero C. Tango | 5 Key Eb | A. Piano Chords Moving B. 3 Clarinets C. Sound Effects | 5 | A. Organ N° 2 B. Harpsichord Effect C. Organ N° 3 |
| A. Jazz Foxtrot B. Samba C. Fast Jazz Bass | 6 Key Bb | A. Piano Chords B. Electronic Organ Chords C. Sound Effects | 6 | A. French Accordian B. Accordian C. Church Organ |
Mark II
| RHYTHM | CHANNEL | ADDED BACKGROUND | CHANNEL | LEAD INSTRUMENT |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A. Bossa Nova B. Viennese Waltz C. Slow Waltz | 1 Key C | A. Cello & Violin Moving Chords B. Accordian Chords C. Guitar Chords | 1 | A. Flute B. Rock Guitar C. Organ N° 1 |
| A. Rhumba B. Slow Foxtrot C. Accordian Bass Notes | 2 Key C | A. Guitar B. Piano C. Accordian Chords | 2 | A. Violin B. Trumpet / Trombone / Sax C. Tenor Sax |
| A. Dixieland B. Slow Foxtrot C. Quickstep | 3 Key Ab | A. Trombone B. Organ C. Saxophone | 3 | A. Spanish Guitar B. Piano C. Vibraphone |
| A. Church Organ B. Cha Cha C. Foxtrot | 4 Key F | A. Church Organ B. Flutes C. Cello & Violin Moving Chords | 4 | A. Trombone B. Brass (Muted) C. Mandolin |
| A. Reverberated Organ B. Bolero C. Tango | 5 Key Eb | A. Reverberated Organ B. Brass C. Piano Chords Moving | 5 | A. Organ N° 2 B. Harpsichord Effect C. Organ N° 3 |
| A. Slow Jazz Bass B. Samba C. Fast Jazz Bass | 6 Key Bb | A. Blue Beat Rhythm in F B. Rock Shuffle C. Rock & Roll | 6 | A. French Accordian B. Accordian C. Church Organ |