The Sound Of The Mellotron.

I just love the sound of this instrument. It was mainly used in the late 60's early 70's and sadly we don't hear it much these days ( if ever ) on new recordings.

For those who aren't familiar with the Mellotron here are a few examples. Hope you like.

Two great songs there! Strawberry Fields Forever also had a very cool mellotron.

I was in a band way back in the old college days. I had a rich friend who owned a mellotron and a harpsichord.
Both are extremely beautiful instruments.

originally posted by: ColeYounger
Two great songs there! Strawberry Fields Forever also had a very cool mellotron.

I was in a band way back in the old college days. I had a rich friend who owned a mellotron and a harpsichord.
Both are extremely beautiful instruments.

Good to hear that you like



Lots of different instruments where used during the 60's and 70's that sadly we don't hear in today's new music. Bands in those days where so inventive.

a reply to: alldaylong

I have some experience with the melotron -notorious for not staying in tune...and having to be re-tuned sometimes even in MID-SONG-ONSTAGE during a show!

If you had a band with a horn section, or played out-of-country...sometimes what we tune to as in A-440..in another country...would be off of that a bit. One would have to tune to that pitch, and the horns sharp or flat to Bb...and then the melotron would have to play tune-up to that.

Next show? Next time? Starts all over. The melotron was subjects to bumps, shakes, humidity, heat, cold...it was a nightmare.

I did see Keith Emerson and the Moodys and Rick Wakeman back in the days playing it live. They became obsolete with the advent of sequencers and syntheizers...and midi....(mid-digital-interface)

Still used today even with its quirks..and nothing beats an original melotron...and also the theramin!

a reply to: alldaylong
Strangly enough, the Mellotron has no sound of it's own, per say, sound is recorded from a source and played back on tape loops for each individual keys which produce that amazing sound. Tough instrument to maintain and use on the road.

Example of a more recent use of the instrument, check out "Them Crooked Vultures" (Dave Grohl, John Paul Jones and Josh Homme), doing "Bandolier". Mellotron comes in late in the tune. Crank it up.

a reply to: mysterioustranger


Ah yes The Theremin. Another great instrument. Here is one of the most famous examples of it's use. The Beach Boy's " Good Vibrations "





Another no longer heard instrument is The Clavioline. Played here by John Lennon on " Baby Your A Rich Man "

I want to make love to the Mellotron.

Any of you guys who have played mellotron have any old recordings of your band? I'd like to hear it.

originally posted by: ItCameFromOuterSpace
Any of you guys who have played mellotron have any old recordings of your band? I'd like to hear it.

That's a great suggestion. Lets see what appears hopefully.

Another great Moody Blues track with Mike Pinder on Mellotron

Mike Pinder was the Moodies Mellotron player and there is a delightful song by him on his last Moodies alburm where he talks about '...playing his Mellotron for you..." but I don't recall the name. He went on to do childrens music in the San Franciso Bay area I believe.

Wonderful sound....

Thanks for the memories...

Fascinating.

originally posted by: FyreByrd
Mike Pinder was the Moodies Mellotron player and there is a delightful song by him on his last Moodies alburm where he talks about '...playing his Mellotron for you..." but I don't recall the name. He went on to do childrens music in the San Franciso Bay area I believe.

Wonderful sound....

Thanks for the memories...

Mike Pinder was known as " The Master Of The Mellotron "

I will let you into a secret, but don't tell anyone, it's between you and i. Before Pinder joined The Moody Blues, he use to work in the factory that made The Mellotron in Birmingham England.

Mike Pinder was known as " The Master Of The Mellotron "

I will let you into a secret, but don't tell anyone, it's between you and i. Before Pinder joined The Moody Blues, he use to work in the factory that made The Mellotron in Birmingham England.

I didn't know that - thanx. Would you happen to know the song I was speaking of - it's one of those things now that won't leave me alone.

originally posted by: FyreByrd

Mike Pinder was known as " The Master Of The Mellotron "

I will let you into a secret, but don't tell anyone, it's between you and i. Before Pinder joined The Moody Blues, he use to work in the factory that made The Mellotron in Birmingham England.

I didn't know that - thanx. Would you happen to know the song I was speaking of - it's one of those things now that won't leave me alone.

The song you are thinking of is this one




Mike Pinder introduced The Mellotron to The Beatles. It was on his advice they used in on " Strawberry Fields Forever "

Check out Porcupine Tree or really any of Steven Wilson's work. He's a big fan of the mellotron.

a reply to: alldaylong

Thank you for finding it. I've loved the Moodies my whole life and this song is a great example of why. Again thank you.

I feel like channeling Sam Elliot on Robot Chicken but I'd get banned so I'll do the PG version.

The Mellotron, Hell Yeah!

Lovely instrument. Wish I had one. You'll find quite a bit in very old Genesis and Spock's Beard has used it a bit also. I'm sure there are a number of others, mostly in the prog genres, but I've been trying to figure out all this keyboard stuff over the years and I'm flummoxed. Plus a lot of it is in music I've never heard so how could I tell you all about it?

Wish I could. Fascinating instrument. Great thread, it deserves it's props.

a reply to: TheSpanishArcher

I have only just found this vid ( even though it's been on YT for a few years)

Mike Pinder really working The Mellotron during this performance at The Isle Of Wight Festival 1970.

Fave part is how he pumps it up from 1.06:34

a reply to: alldaylong

Copyright laws are wondrous things. I can't watch the video as I'm in the wrong country. Whatever.