VINTAGE KEYBOARDS, ANYONE?

[aceonbass]

I think it'd be neat to find one of these vintage keyboards, gut it and load it up with the internals from a modern synth.

[sloop_john_b]

Whoa mama!

[lyle_from_minneapolis]

...sweet!

[kennyhowes]

So, since I don't think Brian Kehew* is a member here, who here has a real live mellotron?

* Just noticed Kevin Ryan is here, so he probably has one.

[jingle_jangle]

I think it'd be neat to find one of these vintage keyboards, gut it and load it up with the internals from a modern synth.

Lots of performing big name bands have done just that over the years. There was a discussion on this on the Combo Organs Yahoo group awhile back. Mostly this is done using the cases from old VOX Continentals.

At last year's NAMM, VOX showed a "modern" version of the Continental (digital; had some tonewheel sliders and tabs). It looked like an old Continental, with a new (shorter front-to-back) case and a NCM replica "Z" stand. Their R&D department didn't get it done in time, so it was mocked-up but not plugged in.

The Continental has the nicest proportions of any combo organ ever made, and the modern interpretation spoiled that. In my mind it's a design classic that should be in the Met's collection of 20th Century design masterpieces.

[jingle_jangle]

So, since I don't think Brian Kehew* is a member here, who here has a real live mellotron?

* Just noticed Kevin Ryan is here, so he probably has one.

A well-used and well known MkII was up on Ebay for $3500.00 BIN (Was it the Moodys or maybe Pink Floyd's?). I thought, hey, wow, but couldn't justify the scratch at the time.

[kryan5732]

So, since I don't think Brian Kehew* is a member here, who here has a real live mellotron?

* Just noticed Kevin Ryan is here, so he probably has one.

Nope, I don't have one. Kev

[kennyhowes]

This looks nice!
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 0301572311

My old Super Contis had the multi-pin jack for the bass pedals, but for some reason my current one doesn't.

[jingle_jangle]

A beauty in great condition.

Unfortunately, this guy has too high an opening bid, and even that is pushing the market for these. Before our economic problems, the high end for these was around $1200.00. The single-manual Conti is still king, though the top price for one of those (which also was a NoCal sale) was around $3400.00, about a year ago. These have dropped in value like a rock, though, lately...you'd be lucky to get $2K.

[wayang]

Of the various old weirdos I've owned over the years, and besides a couple of '80s polyphonic synths I've hung onto, I still have an Orchestron, a Moog Sonic Six, and an RMI KC-1 ('keyboard computer'-which is programmed by...wait for it...IBM punchcards...!...).

And, of course, a Moog Taurus...hey, it's a 'keyboard': it's got 'keys'...

I don't have a great picture of it, but in 1980 at McMurdo, the only keyboard they had at Navy Special Services was an old beat-up Farfisa, green and white case with grey and white keys. Here are a couple of shots of my brother (aka "Big Dick Cheezbol and his Swingin' Organ") getting ready for a gig at the carpentry shop...Moog 'Rogue' atop the mighty Farfisa:

...and the sound? "Weasels Ripped My Flesh"....[

[lyle_from_minneapolis]

I've got a dead Moog Rogue...powers up, but no more sound. I loved that thing...seemed like I could dial in any sound at all.

[jingle_jangle]

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Umm...you want weird? How about an Electrichord? These were sit-down accordions with built-in blowers to replace the bellows squeeze thingy.

[shamustwin]

Those caught on like wild fire.

[wayang]

Yipes, those things are the bomb! You still own those, doc?

[jingle_jangle]

Never owned 'em, Dane. But they're on craigslist here in the Bay area, right now, for $1500 for the pair.

For married guys, these would come under the category of "deal breaker". Could be a good thing for some...would definitely provide a laugh for the divorce lawyers.

For single guys, these would come under the category of "get a life", or "you gotta be sh****n' me, Harold".

But for the sort of Eyetalian who knows a half-dozen Tarantella steps and makes basement grappa, ahhhhhh!