We are Brokering this instrument for and on behalf of our UK customer
Came into stock: Arrived at RL Music in April 2017
Restoration Status: A full cosmetic and operational restoration by KSR has already been carried out (completed in 23rd August 2017), so this Vintage Original System 55 is ready for sale now.
Remarks: We have been granted a unique opportunity here as these Vintage Original Moog System 55 (with RA Moog 950 Keyboard & Garage) are super rare instruments, and highly sought after. We weren’t given a lot of detailed background information on this system other than the last owner purchased it from a well known Moog collector in Italy several years ago. The Italian musician/collector used this system as a part of a larger Moog Modular set-up, which explains why the configuration is not quite late 1970s factory stock.
Our client (the current owner) had commissioned KSR to undertake a full system-wide overhaul of the entire instrument, to prepare it for sale. The restoration included refinishing all the cabinets as well, so the fit & finish on this 40+-year-old Moog is sublime, and of course, it works flawlessly.
This is THE mother of all synthesizers and although there are a plethora of analogue instruments in modular format to choose from these days (which is wonderful), nothing will hold the mystique, power and sheer collectability of an original Moog. These Vintage Moogs come with very strong & proven investment potential, so aside from being outstanding music instruments, they keep giving in other ways also.
The System 55 was the last of the great “walls-of-Moog” and this system being from around 1976, represents the most stable and reliable in terms of module build versions. This particular System 55 has clearly been lovingly cared for, for 40+ years.
Notes on the cosmetic condition:
All cabinets and control surfaces on the main synth sections are in excellent and original condition. The RA Moog 950 keyboard & Garage have their original wood cabinets which are also in excellent condition, although all the cabinets do have a few signs of natural ageing and use, however, the keys are undamaged, having an even colour. The module faceplates themselves are in excellent condition (as are the internal circuits) but there are inevitable signs of some wear from around the locating screws, although this is something we would expect to see in a modular system of this age.
The top cabinet did not come with a rear-enclosure board fitted. Many modulars of this age do not have rear-covers, but KSR have offered to manufacture and fit one if the buyer of the system would like one fitted. There would be no charge for this, but the top cabinet would need to go back to KSR to have that carried out.
We would rate the whole system as 9 out of 10 cosmetically – collector grade.
Notes on the restoration:
An IEC socket was fitted as standard on these late 70s systems. The power-supply has been completely reconditioned, it runs on US 110V or EU 220V, although set on EU 220V whilst here in the UK of course.
All the 1/4 inch jack-sockets have been replaced with high-quality Switchcraft® panel mount sockets to improve connectivity. KSR implemented this upgrade with the owner’s permission as 40+-year-old sockets can be very intermittent in connection, regardless of cleaning, and this can be very frustrating for users of voltage controlled/audio systems like these.
Each and every module and been tested, cleaned & calibrated, and where necessary, any decoupling (power regulation) caps replaced. The 950 Keyboard has been stripped and completely overhauled, with every key cleaned, and the key-bed & contacts cleaned.
All Cinch-Jones S-Trig connectors cleaned/deoxidised.
Wiring loom integrity checked.
Other than the items noted above, no components that affected the sound character of the Moog were replaced (or needed to be in fact). We retained the original knobs though as these are a major cosmetic component to the aesthetic of this authentic vintage instrument.
Thousands of pounds have been spent on the restoration work which has taken Kent Spong of KSR, over 3 months to complete.
Module configuration as follows:
Top Cabinet
1 x 914 Fixed Filter Bank
1 x 992 Control Voltages
1 x 904A Low Pass Filter
1 x 904-C Filter Coupler
1 x 904B High Pass Filter
1 x 904A Low Pass Filter
3 x 902 VCA
1 x 993 Trig & EG Voltage
5 x 911 EG
1 x 911A Dual Trigger Delay
Bottom cabinet
2 x 921A Oscillator Drivers
6 x 921B Oscillator
1 x 921 Voltage Controlled Oscillator
1 x 961 Sequencer Interface
1 x 960 Sequencer
1 x 962 Sequential Switch
4 x CP3A Mixer Control
1 x CP2 Multi Func
1 x CP8A Power Switch
RA Moog 950 Keyboard Controller
We were not supplied with any 1/4 inch jacks or cinch-jones S-Trig cables, although Synthesizers.com can supply these from new (recommended) here: http://www.synthesizers.com/qmse.html
Unfortunately, no original user instruction or service documentation provided with this Moog System 55.
This Vintage Original Moog Modular System 55 is sold with a full 6 month (return-to-dealer) warranty covering all T&M.
Price: £45,000 GBP
Availability: This Vintage Original Moog Modular System 55 is now SOLD, as at 29th November 2018.
Pictures below of actual System 55 for sale. Click on the thumbnails for a high-resolution photos.