- 18
Jack Bruce
Estimate
5,000 - 7,000 GBP
bidding is closed
Description
- Jack Bruce
- Mellotron with four reels of tapes featuring the vocal samples of Jack Bruce, c.1975
- plastic, wood, magnetic tape, plastic
mellotron M400S, serial number 1560, thirty-five keys, five rotary controls (comprising volume, tone, pitch, on/off and tape selector switch), in cream case with hinged lid, in maroon custom flight case with white stenciled lettering JACK BRUCE BAND, LONDON on top and both sides, with three black hinged cases containing three additional tape reels of Bruce’s vocal samples, one case with original Mellotronics Limited swing tag label dated "3.4.75"
Condition
Very clean condition. Recently fully serviced and restored by Streetly Electronics.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
Catalogue Note
From its invention in 1963, the mellotron grew in popularity throughout the late 1960s and 1970s. Graham Bond, close friend and bandmate of Jack in the pre-Cream days, is considered to be the first rock musician to record with a mellotron, and was followed by others including Mike Pinder and the Moody Blues, Genesis, and most famously, The Beatles. Unusually, Jack Bruce used samples of his own voice for his Mellotron. The instrument features in albums including Automatic (1983) and Silver Rails (2014), and was frequently used in live performance.
The M400, first produced in 1970, became the most popular model of mellotron with around 1800 made. No other example is known featuring Jack Bruce's own vocal samples.
Under Jack's instruction, the instrument has recently been fully serviced and restored by Streetly Electronics.