MATRIXSYNTH: Early Minimoog Model D Synthesizer SN 1246


Wednesday, March 13, 2013

Early Minimoog Model D Synthesizer SN 1246

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"Obviously a super cool piece of history. It's a mystery to me if it's a “MuSonics” or “Moo music” version. Serial #1246 makes it one of the first 246 made. The serial number w/plexi pitch/mod falls into the Musonic era but the plate and date puts it in the moog music era. It was completed on 1/5/72 by RUL (see info below for more details). It’s in great shape and everything is in working condition. The Keys are solid and all work, contacts probably need cleaning, all pots and switches work. It needs a basic tuneup. Figured it's best to wait because it would probably need another after it was shipped. A (CV/Trig?) mod in the controller section was done at some point, the extra knob is a two way switch, it's been disconnected, so not sure exactly what it is was. There are a few minor cosmetic flaws, slight imperfections in the wood on the top panels where it looks like the foam material from the anvil case melted(?) but no huge gashes/scratches. This is a used vintage unit so expect the usual wear. This item works but is sold AS/IS, no returns so please do your research/ask me questions before you bid.

more info...
*Minimoog Model D-2 "Moo Music" (1970) The next ones “D” are still R.A Moog Model, always have discrete VCO but are cosmetically a little bit different from the first ones. R.A Model D are considered by collectors as the best and fattest sounding of all versions of the Mini. They are very hard to keep in tune. Most of the oscillator boards have been upgraded.

The original oscillators in the first Minimoog R.A. Moog versions (They were the oscillators that had matched pairs of transistors with metal heatsinks) did sound richer than the later versions. Like the original modular oscillators, they used a exponential current source and a uni junction transistor to generate a sawtooth wave. At the time these were designed, opamps like the 741 were just coming available but at $7.00 ( $7.00 in 1970 is like $35.00 today) were just too expensive, all the circuitry in the Minimoog was built using discrete transistors.Even with hand matched transistors, it was impossible to make the oscillator really stable or to track that well. But, the tracking variations combine with the rich harmonics from the unijunction transistors added to the overall richness of the sound. Logo plate R.A MOOG (white or black), metal front panel, modulation wheels are transparent. Serial number 10??-11??.

*Minimoog Model D-3 "Musonic" (1971) R.A Moog Cie became Musonic Cie when R.A had to merge with Musonic cie. Electronic circuits are the same than R.A. models, very rare like the R.A Mini. Name plate Musonic, metal panel, modulation wheels are transparent. Serial number 11??-13??.

*info from http://minimoog.monsite-orange.fr/page1/index.html"

Sold for $2,811.11.



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