The Mellotron an essential instrument ?
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Topic: The Mellotron an essential instrument ?
Posted By: MANTICORE
Subject: The Mellotron an essential instrument ?
Date Posted: June 07 2005 at 16:40
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Some people say that way that the Mellotron is an instrument that cannot lack in any arsenal of keyboards. Graham Bond, Manfred Mann, Beatles, Moody Blues were the precursors in the use of this small one and expensive device but on the contrary tapeworm many disadvantages, the very slow being to rewind the tape what towards useless for the construction of a solo one all in opposition to the Hammond Organ but there am my question here is the essential one?   -------------  |
Replies:
Posted By: Blacksword
Date Posted: June 08 2005 at 07:21
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It's not an essential instrument, but it's a great sounding one! It was not really used much for solos. As you rightly say the tape had to rewind once the player removed his finger from the key - each key having its own tape. It was used really only for playing chords, or indeed slow solos. Apparently the Mellotron that Genesis purchased off King Crimson was KC's 3rd one, and it broke down after virtually every gig! ------------- Ultimately bored by endless ecstasy! |
I think Keith Emerson managed without one, but it all depends on the sound a band wants. Most of the classic symphonic prog bands of the 70's wanted to capture that great string sound, without having to employ an orchestra. The 'sampled' strings (and choral sounds) of the mellotron had a haunting warmth of their own anyway.Posted By: Jim Garten
Date Posted: June 08 2005 at 07:40
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Hammond, Mellotron, Electric Piano, Moog - all you ever needed for progressive rock keyboard perfection.
BTW - hello again, Karnie  ------------- 
Jon Lord 1941 - 2012 |
Posted By: Blacksword
Date Posted: June 08 2005 at 07:56
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------------- Ultimately bored by endless ecstasy! |
Jim Garten wrote:
KE9?, oh God..hold on tight!!Posted By: Jim Garten
Date Posted: June 08 2005 at 07:58
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Welcome back my friends to the bloke who never takes a hint -------------
Jon Lord 1941 - 2012 |
Posted By: con safo
Date Posted: June 08 2005 at 11:23
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Not essential but an excellent sounding instrument, love the symphonic sound it adds without having to use an orchestra. ------------- 
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Posted By: The Hemulen
Date Posted: June 08 2005 at 11:29
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WB Karny - no, it's a good instrument but by no means essential. If you
like mellotron then I suggest you give Cardiacs a listen!
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Posted By: Logos
Date Posted: June 08 2005 at 11:55
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Of course it's essential.
All the best bands used it ( Genesis, Yes, KC, TD ) and the sound is really wonderful. And the fact that mellotrons are rare, expensive and really difficult to use makes them PROG! |
Posted By: abyssyinfinity
Date Posted: June 08 2005 at 12:52
NO MELLOTRON NO PROG... 
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Posted By: John
Date Posted: June 10 2005 at 05:53
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The guide to essential 'oldskool' prog keyboards!
The ones I own and play: Organ String machine Electronic piano (Much underrated, Tony Banks used one a lot) Moog monosynth Crappy old polysynth The ones I have to fake using software: Electric piano (soundfont.it offers a great free wurlitzer plugin!) Mellotron Think this about sums it up. |
Posted By: bamba
Date Posted: June 11 2005 at 23:17
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saludos hermano jonny well i think that this istrument "was" essential in the late 60's and in the first half of the 70`s and yes it has a very particular sound that in my personal opinion its essencial in a that period of time i like it very much. ------------- Learning Flute [Amigo de Manticore y Memowakeman] (primo)[IMG]http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2187/2437702285_fbb450500d_o.jpg |
Posted By: Pablo_P
Date Posted: June 12 2005 at 05:06
That's right! i can't imagine early KING CRIMSON or THE MOODY BLUES without mellotron... I love the sound of this instrument ------------- Pablo P. |
Posted By: Dick Heath
Date Posted: June 15 2005 at 12:32
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Early bands such as Touch and Renaissance managed well without one - and the Moody Blues had to have one when they were told they had defaulted on the payments for the big orchestra used for Days of Future...... |
Posted By: Will Veda
Date Posted: June 16 2005 at 00:29
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I used to dream nightly about owning a Mellotron and in 1981 I found one. After 24 years, I still own this wonderful instrument (and will never sell it even with the many offers I have received). It was a major pain in the arse to lug around, but well worth it. Once, when I was on stage cleaning the tape heads before a show, a guy came up to me and said that he will be contacting a musicians' union and reporting me for using an instrument that puts string players, choirs, and flautists out of work. I'm not making this up! I just laughed at him and said, "Hey I'll be making about $10 on this gig, so sue me." So much for the appreciation of Prog Rockers in the early 80s in Cincinnasti, Ohio. Ever heard a Mellotron through a Leslie cabinet? What an experience. To me, the Mellotron is one of the most beautiful instruments ever created. It has a much more human element and nuance to it than any synthesizer has, including samplers. And since Prog Rock is the greatest music known to mankind, the human emotion-like Mellotron is most essential. |
Posted By: NetsNJFan
Date Posted: June 17 2005 at 23:40
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yes its essential. imagine Watcher of the Skies (genesis) or Starless (KC) without it! possibly my favorite device in all of prog, along with hammond organ, moog, and flute ------------- 
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