 Although tape samplers had been explored in research studios , the first commercially available keyboard @-@ driven tape instruments were built and sold by California @-@ based Harry Chamberlin . The concept of the Mellotron originated when Chamberlin 's sales agent , Bill Fransen , brought two of Chamberlin 's Musicmaster 600 instruments to England in 1962 to search for someone who could manufacture 70 matching tape heads for future Chamberlins . He met Frank , Norman and Les Bradley of tape engineering company Bradmatic Ltd , who said they could improve on the original design . The Bradleys subsequently met bandleader Eric Robinson , who agreed to help finance the recording of the necessary instruments and sounds . Together with the Bradleys and television celebrity David Nixon , they formed a company , Mellotronics , in order to market the instrument . Robinson was particularly enthusiastic about the Mellotron , because he felt it would revitalise his career , which was then on the wane . He arranged the recording sessions at IBC Studios in London , which he co @-@ owned with George Clouston . 
