R. A. MINIMOOG

Posted in Sold, Vintage Synths

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