The Mellotron sounds in "Eclipse Endured" have a somewhat poignant story. M400 #1444 was built on June 11, 1974. It's early history has been lost, but the trail of provenance is solid, post-1980.

In 1980, #1444 was purchased by a Canadian progressive rock band called "Graphics", and as with many prog rock bands it was an vital part of their sound. Graphics were an excellent and popular band, performing often on the west coast, and releasing two songs on a 45.

In 1982, they purchased a new set of tapes from Sound Sales, the US Mellotron representatives. This set contained 3 Violins/Flute/8-Voice Choir.

Graphics used this tape set for a few years before they eventually disbanded. #1444 then changed hands a number of times in the following decades, before eventually reaching myself. By this time, the tapes were in very bad condition. Constantly losing oxide, and containing many dropouts, they were obviously on borrowed time.

After purchasing #1444, I embarked on a full restoration. Everything that this Mellotron needed has been provided. Any tired old parts have been replaced, and all upgrades have been installed. It is now better than new.

In May of 2022 (40 years after the previous tapes were installed), I bought new tapes from Streetly Electronics in the UK (3 Violins/Mixed Brass B/Moraz Moog Brass), and set about replacing the old sounds.

In this "Eclipse Endured", all of the Mellotron in the first half is my M4000D digital machine (it tends to have a very lush tone, and is great for Tron sections requiring an orchestral, rather than aggressive approach), then there's a short backwards-piano lull, and at 2:00 the fully restored M400 makes it's debut. All of the strings and flute from that point on are the restored instrument - but with the original Graphics tapes - until the last violin phrase before the ending.

Near the end of tracking, I replaced the Graphics tapes with a new set from Streetly. This set of Mixed Brass B and Moraz Moog were then combined with the 40-year old Graphics 3-violins through the aggressive section at 2:46.

The last phrase in the song is the tired old tapes and the new Streetly violin tapes played together. The final violin swell at 3:50, just before the quiet piano outro is the last time the Graphics tapes will ever be heard. A passing of the torch in a sense, and the closing of a chapter in Mellotron #1444's history.