R. A. MINIMOOG

RA Minimoog Serial # 1049

By the end of 1970, the now incorporated R. A. Moog Inc. introduced the Minimoog manufactured in Trumansburg NY. The first of all the subsequent Model D Minimoogs ever made were called the ‘RA Minimoog’ named so after after Robert Moog’s initials.

I present you with a March 1971 manufactured RA Minimoog available for sale.

This Minimoog was sold to the Rochester Museum in NY direct from the Moog Trumansburg factory on March 20th 1971, and was in their possession for 35 years, or at least until 2006.

This amaziing instrument has the fabled and early desined matched transistor filter, also it has had the Octave Buffer Board modification fitted to it at some time in its life to improve scaling.

It doesn’t have it’s original mod-wheel housing (for some historic reason) but does contain a very early ‘Moog Music’ wheel-housing with smooth opaque wheels. It has been one of my life’s dream to own such an extraordinary instrument but I have to consider letting her go due to more pressing needs.

There is documented provence from the Moog archives for this RA Minimoog – it’s the 49th Model D ever made – this is a very special synthesizer!

It’s quite possible that Bob Moog himself had a hand in the assembly of this particular Minimoog and original Walnut cabinet and metal facia just adds to the experience in knowing this is the genuine article from the early Moog company in 1971.

So, what have we done in terms of restoration?

My trusted Vintage Moog restoration expert, Kent Spong of KSR – London, reported that the internal condition of this instrument is like brand new. It’s clear that this Minimoog has had very little use and we could not see any evidence that it was ever worked on by a tech since it was built in 1971. The key-bed has had new bushes fitted by KSR, and along with some minor cleaning to pots and switches, a full calibration has been carried out…that’s it, and that’s all it needed.

KSR also (very sympathetically) hand-finished the Walnut Cabinet to bring back the character and waxed finished it so, apart from natural aging and darkening of the wood, it looks like the day it was made.

Oh, and It plays beautifully by the way, and holds tune tune and scales like a late Minimoog, which means you can use this Moog to make music with and not just to lovingly stare at it. The matched transistor ladder filter is amazing and the last word in that classic Vintage Moog sound.

This extraordinary instrument is being sold with a 3 month warranty. It operates (perhaps obviously) under the US 110v voltage.

Price = 9000 UK Pounds

Availability:This RA Minimoog is now SOLD as at 30th January 2013

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MOOG MINIMOOG

Late Minimoog (Serial No. 12883) With MIDI

Another of the worlds most famous synthesizer from RL Music!

This very late model was one of the last few hundred to be manufactured, around 1981, which makes this a very stable in tuning and tracking – utilising the buffer-board (factory fitted) and late Moog VCOs…a players synth!

In addition, the S-Trig socket has been modified into a DIN socket to accept the Phillip Rees MIDI to CV cable. This very simple and elegant retro-fit enables this Minimoog to operate over MIDI. The Phillip Rees MIDI unit is supplied with the synth free of charge.

A note on the restoration:

On this particular example, we have had the original Moog cabinet re-finished by KSR and the results are pretty impressive. The wood has been stripped, stained and wax finished and shows beautiful character in the grain as you can see from the pictures.

Operationally speaking from the restoration standpoint, we do not change any electronic components that would compromise the integrity of the Moogs character. There might be some components that we will have prudently replaced due to age like but these are off-the-shelf components. The Keyboard is completely stripped and rebuilt with a full set of new bushings, all pots and switches cleaned, and the final calibration and test finishes of the restoration.

The aluminum real panel enclosure is completely original. We decided not to have the panel re-anodized as it contains some original Moog factory stickers that give this instrument complete authenticity. Restoration is a about balance, and although the cabinet is not the original brown varnished factory one, we think the work KSR have done does the synth great justice.

As you can see, the appearance of this professionally restored instrument is remarkable and high-res pictures are available on request.

Considering the age, outstanding condition, and additional care taken in restoring this Minimoog, we are confident that she will see at least another 30 years of faithful operation. Being a Minimoog, this is naturally an excellent investment or everyday useable music instrument.

This example is sold with a full 3 months warranty and can run either US or EU voltage through the power switch on the rear-panel.

Price = SOLD 6th July

Availability = No Longer Available

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