Moog Moogerfooger Big Briar MF-101 Low Pass Filter

via this auction

SN 00553

See Perfect Circuit Audio (RSS) for more. Note this is onkloud9. Switching to the shop's name rather than the eBay account name moving forward. The link under More Stuff on the right has been updated as well.

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Moog Moogerfooger Big Briar MF-103 12 Stage Phaser

via this auction

Moog Moogerfooger Big Briar MF-104 Analog Delay

via this auction

Moog Moogerfooger Big Briar MF-101 Low Pass Filter

via this auction

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Moog Big Briar CP-251 control processor

via this auction

Big Briar Etherwave Theremin

via this auction

SN 3464

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Moog Minimoog Model D Vintage Analog Synthesizer

via this auction

"A model with this serial # would normally contain the newest revision of oscillator board but this unit has an older oscillator board (less stable but sounds much nicer). It has a Big Briar MIDI kit and besides the new custom wood case, it has all new bushings, a recapped power supply and is working flawlessly. This is one of the best MINI's that I've ever had and it's hard to let it go..."

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THE SOUND OF MICROS Computers and music by Robert A. Moog

You can find the full article on AtariArchives.org

"Robert A. Moog is the inventor of the practical music synthesizer and president of Big Briar, Inc., a Leicester, North Carolina, firm specializing in the design of custom electronic instruments.

'For some of us, the idea of an electronic muse is scary; after all, music is an essentially human activity, while electronic equipment, especially the computer, is "mechanical" and "unnatural." Throughout history, however, music has been closely linked to technology. Except for the human voice, the instruments of music-making have always been "high tech" in their time...'"

Big Briar (Moog) Prototype Chorus Flanger

This one spotted by Rhythmicons. Via silent_switchman on the Moog Music Forum: "Hello fellow Moogists!

I think I may have made a pretty spectacular find. I have come into possession of a little effects unit that appears to be a Moog prototype unit. It's a Chorus/Flanger effects unit. It has a handwritten label on it, describing all the functionality of the knobs. Checking against older Moog schematics/prototypes that you can find on the Bob Moog Foundation website, I am inclined to think this is the real deal. The way the unit is laid out and the handwriting sure seem consistent with some stuff up there. Of course, who knows. I plan on writing the Bob Moog Foundation and seeing what they have to say.

I've attached a few snaps here for everyone. I can't vouch too much in depth for how the thing sounds overall; when I bought it, the seller didn't have quite the right power supply - it definitely powers up and it definitely is a chorus/flange effect. I tested it on a old guitar through like a cigarette pack-style amp; not exactly the best testing unit, but I know it works. I need to get a proper 18v(!) power supply for it tomorrow. I'll record some stuff through it and post the recordings up for everyone to hear.

Now, like I say, I can't totally vouch at this point that this is the real thing, but it sure _looks_ like the real deal. What's that 'Kingdom Of South Turkey' bit on the label?? A bit of fun by Dr. Moog?

Anyway - crazy find one way or the other. Here are two snaps of the unit. One in color, and an 'artier', B&W snap.

Thanks all! I'll let you know what the Foundation folks say when I get in touch with them. Cheers!"

Click on the images for the full size shots.
Remember to check out the Exclusive label below for more posts like this.

Update: this is most likely real. silent_switchman if you read this, contact me for more info. If anyone is on the Moog Forum, ask silent_switchman to contact me.

Update: via Michelle Moog-Koussa of the Bob Moog Foundation and of course Bob Moog's daughter. I wanted to get permission to post this before putting it up.

"This is, without a doubt, a prototype made by the hands of Bob Moog. The construction is one giveaway, the knobs another. For Brian [Kehew], or someone with a bit more technical understanding, perhaps the design and concept are as well. But the real clincher is the writing -- unmistakably Dad. The neat printing is part of it, but the old fashion upper case "G"s with the tails coming in at a diagonal rather than vertically seal the deal. The red arrows, with a solid head and single line is another solid indicatory that "Bob was here".

The cherry on top? Dad's ever present tongue-in-cheek -- even self-depricating -- sense of humor. We lived at the end of a long country road named South Turkey Creek in a cove called Big Briar. Better known now as the seat of Bob Moog's independent company which he ran in between Moog Music (Buffalo) and Moog Music (Asheville), Big Briar Cove was then a place of welcome isolation, quiet and peace for a man whose mind was often preoccupied with harnessing electricity and turning it into sonic capability. A hundred acres, a round house and a mountain creek provided just the balance to his daily work creating such things as Chorus Flangers, theremins and multi-touch sensitive keyboards."

BMF Re-Configures Erik Norlander’s “Wall of Doom”

via the Bob Moog Foundation where you'll find more pics and the full story.

"Amos Gaynes [right] and August Worley [left] - To many of you, Amos Gaynes from Moog Music needs no introduction. He is well-known in the synth community for his clear and insightful articulation of all things that involve a Moog tech. Amos understands the contemporary Moog gear inside and out as a tech and as a creator of firmware for some of the newer products. A student of mechatronics at UNC-A, he is well on his way to becoming an engineering force at Moog Music, Inc.

August Worley is an electrical engineer who shares a unique qualification with Bob Moog. August is the only person to have worked at Moog Music Buffalo, Big Briar, Inc. and Moog Music Asheville. He was part of the engineering team who helped Bob develop the Voyager. August was uniquely qualified to work on this modular project, as he formerly toured with ELP as the keyboard tech for Keith Emerson’s Monster Moog Modular. He also developed the pyrotechnics for Keith’s Moog ribbon controller.

Between the two, Amos and August have donated over 60 hours of time to the completely reconfiguration of the Wall of Doom in to its new home." Be sure to see the full article for tons of more pics and the full story behind Erik Norlander's "Wall of Doom" and upcoming event with the system, at Moogus Operandi on May 27th"

Big Briar Cove - Bob Moog's View

via Brian Kehew:
"A photo of the area called Big Briar Cove, taken from the porch deck of the home where Bob and Shirleigh Moog raised their kids. It's where Bob took the name Big Briar when he started his new company, long before they regained the rights to Moog Music Inc. Such a beautiful location, far from the main roads and even neighbors! There's a stream on the property and woods all around.

I had always head about this area and the house where they lived, but thought it would be good to share this wonderful place, a common sight in Bob's 'normal' life."

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/bobmoog
http://bobmoogfoundation.com/
http://bigbriar.com/ / http://www.moogmusic.com/

Moog Minimoog Synthesizer Autographed by Bob Moog

via this auction

"This is a beautiful 1974 Moog Minimoog synthesizer (serial# 6572) that was autographed by Bob Moog.

At the 2000 NAMM show I brought the top wood trim of this instrument to the Big Briar booth, where I met Dr. Moog and asked him to sign it. He was very gracious and broke into a big grin when he saw it, as of course he recognized right away what it was. In fact, he held it up for others to see, taking a bit of delight, I'm sure, in asking who else knew what this little wooden stick was! Since that day I have always treated this instrument as a reminder of the moment I got to meet the late, great grandfather of synthesizers and have cherished his signature on it as a direct link between his hands and the legendary instrument he created. Of all the Minis out there, how many have that distinction?...

This Mini has the later ua726 containing VCO board installed. I don't want to open a debate about which generation of oscillators sound "best" but I will say that the VCOs track rock solid compared to other Minis I've played. When I detune the VCOs to get just the right fat spread I want, this is maintained up and down the keyboard and across the footages. Solid. But then again, never can I get them to perfectly line up and cancel each other out...that's the organic beauty of these oscillators, and why this instrument sounds so alive. Speaking of alive, the VCOs sound raw and huge. End of story."

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Moog Big Briar Theremin Serial 001

via this auction

Big Briar minimug

flickr by andrewdalio

"PIcture's starting to wear off from years of use!"

Big Briar was Bob Moog's company prior to re-obtaining the rights to the Moog Music name.

Big Briar Moog Theremin Serial Number 0001

via this auction

Note Big Briar was Bob Moog's company after he left the original Moog Music and of course, before he started the new current Moog Music.

Minimoog with Big Briar MIDI and Separate Keyboard

via this auction
"Description: This early 1970s, vintage synth is rather unique, in that it has been outfitted w/ a MIDI interface, at the Moog factory and under the direct supervision of Bob Moog only a few years ago. At the same time, the latest, rock-stable oscillator cards were installed and the instrument is in PERFECT working condition. None of the keys stick, and all of the pots and switches work as well as the day I bought it. I am the original and sole owner. The keyboard was split from the body, again at the Moog factory circa 1974 and under the supervision of Bob Moog. Because the instrument was only a year or two off the production line at that point, and the factory was still creating these instruments for market, the wooden framing that the factory carpenters custom made after the split "surgery" was complete match the rest of the body just perfectly. The two halves are connected by a twenty foot, pliable snake, with “Jones Plug” connectors on each end. Unusual, now, but these were relatively common connectors of that period – and they work perfectly. Why the split? In the mid 70s, I heard and saw The Mahavishnu Orchestra perform on many occasions, and the keyboard player, Jan Hammer, wore a split Mini Moog keyboard around his neck and played it in guitar-like fashion. A “first” at the time, and I had to have it done, by the same technicians, at the same factory, and under Bob Moog’s personal supervision. The lugs for a guitar strap remain on the keyboard box to this day.

I had the pleasure of both meeting and performing for Bob on multiple occasions, as I had been asked to join the Moog touring electronic music ensemble in the mid 70s by the then Moog V.P. of Marketing, Herb Deutsch. He is the man who co-invented the instrument in the summer of 1964 with Bob, and who was/is, an excellent snyth player as well.

The ensemble performed periodically for the next couple of years, so as a “road instrument,” it sustained multiple “car-door dings” if you will, but all of these were finished-over by a professional paint/stain restoration artist, and are now nearly imperceptible."

DSI still Sequential Circuits

This one spotted by prophei. He downloaded the sysex for the three individual OSes for the DSI Poly Evolver Keyboard off of the DSI website. When he looked at the manufacture in the Mac OS X SysEx Librarian this is what he saw. Anyone confirm?

Update: another screen shot sent in and confirmations in the comments.

Update via wavedeforum via the comments: "The manufacturer ID is not IP that would get sold with Sequential Circuits. It is an ID issued by the MIDI Manufacturers Association. Usually a number is retired or recycled when a company ceases doing business.

Because of Dave Smith's role in getting MIDI going, he gets to keep his ID, which is 1.

It's the programs that interpret Sysex that lookup the ID and display an appropriate string that are at fault for still displaying Sequential Circuits. I would think that they should be revised to display DSI/Sequential or something similar."

also sent my way privately via Stephen via Synthwood. Pretty cool when you think of it. Dave Smith was THE man behind MIDI. SCI was first with the Prophet-600 followed by Roland with the JX-3P. I'm guessing Roland has ID #2, but I have yet to confirm this. Be sure to see the comments of this post for more.

Update via Dave Cornutt in the comments:
"Roland is not ID #2 because the IDs are divided into three groups, American, European, and Japanese. The American group starts with 1; the European group starts with 20 hex, and the Japanese group starts with 40 hex. Roland is assigned ID 41H; for reasons unknown to me Kawai was given 40H. Here's the whole original list, from "The Complete SCI MIDI", January 1984 edition (all numbers in hex):

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Big Briar Model 331 Touch Plate - VEMIA

via this VEMIA auction

"The third of the touchplates that came from Bob Moog's friend and European accomplice Felix Visser, this was the Big Briar production model, although it still looks totally hand-made. This time, there are four controls, but all control voltages as well as any power are routed through the seven-pin DIN plug. Serial number 1024. Untested at present."

Big Briar Etherwave Waveforms

via Thumbuki

Don Martin Mini

Click here for more images of this Donimoog sent in by an anonymous reader. According to the person that sent it in, the "sound is very good, and extreme close, quasi the same as the original mini, I only noticed a different filter tracking." Except that,there are 7 other main differences (physical) Can u find them?"

For those of you not familiar with the Donimoog, Don Martin actually owned the MOOG name in the US when Bob Moog was running his company under the Big Briar name. Bob sued and eventually won his name back. You can read more in this Sound on Sound article where the following was pulled:

"In the 1990s, three new companies appeared, each bearing the Moog name, although none was connected with Bob Moog himself. In addition to the short-lived UK company Moog Music Ltd (see the 'Cambrian Capers' box towards the end of this article), there was the US-based Moog Music Inc, a company owned by a character named Don Martin who made lavish promises of new Minimoogs and other classic Moog products, took deposits from customers, but failed to deliver and then allegedly disappeared. The other company was Moog CE, which built modules for original Moog instruments such as the System 55 and IIIC. The owner of Moog CE, Michael Bucki, recently reached an amicable arrangement with Bob Moog, selling his name back to him, and renaming his company ModuSonics. He is still in business.

With Don Martin's Moog Music Inc defunct, and Moog CE renamed, Bob Moog was then free to rename Big Briar Moog Music Inc, and to undertake the development of the Minimoog Voyager. Except in the UK, of course, where it is marketed and sold as the Voyager By Bob Moog"

So can you spot the 7 differences? : ) BTW, DO NOT MISS this post.