I stumbled across a mini the other day and had to buy it despite having not fiddled with any moogs in some time. The synth is complete except that in the late 70’s, it had it’s #1 and #4 boards taken out for servicing and they were lost (along with a pitch wheel assembly as well …the mod wheel is still there 
). Boo hiss. So I’m wondering, since I haven’t been in “the loop” of moogs much lately, is it fixable? Am I going to pull my hair out for 5 years looking for pieces? Should I trade for another moog? Advice all around is welcome. I’ll see if I can take some pics and scrounge up some of my past moog pictures. Best HIMMM
So you’re missing the filter and oscillator boards?
I might be able to set you up with another oscillator board, but I haven’t any filter boards available.
A spare wheel isn’t a problem, though I only have used ones.
(unless you want new ones made, which is possible too.)
But it’s up to you whether it’s a parts Moog or one you want to invest time and money into.
It IS fixable in my opinion. Even a duplicate filter board could be made if desperate. But it’s a money/time/patience thing.
Which ones do you have or not?
Sounds like someone just straight up raped that Mini.
Hmmm..
It will probably cost around 1000.00 in parts and work, thats assumeing it doesn’t need much else (right Kevin?) … 
If I found one in this condition I would DEFINITELY fix it, with Kevin at the helms !!
BTW, just curious - What did you pay for it?
My friend was just in NYC and saw a mini in a glass case at a music store.. He thought it was super special so he took a pic to show..
Turns out it was a basic run of the mill mini - No metal panel, no clear wheels, not an R.A - Just a Norlin model Mini…
Yeah.. They wanted 8000.00 USD for it… Um, yeah.. I thought, well damn my mini is worth like 10 grand , in that case !! And I have fully lit (of any RGB color I want) Pitch/mod wheels !!!
Also, That mini looked like shitttt…
So, with that said - its up to you. Maybe 1000.00 of work will be worth it, eh?
- Nick
A few pics of the ol’ girl, her best friend Bessy (Neil McKinnons’ Mini) and some loves of the past (including the only blurry proof remaining of my moog source!) I wish I had made an album of them all while they were still kickin’ around.
http://s318.photobucket.com/albums/mm421/TheWesthaver/Moogs%20I%20Have%20Loved/
On to the gritty…
Kevin, Firstly it is an honor to make contact with you … I have always been in awe of what you’ve contributed to keeping everything that is Moog alive! I would definitely be interested in ANYTHING you could offer. Getting a osc board and a wheel set-up would be a great first step! The filter board sounds like a thorn but if that’s all it may need to function I think a restoration is sounding a lot sweeter. If you can send me a few more details, I’ll jump all over it!
She also needs some mini logo plates, her top wood strip and back cover but those cosmetic things I think will be no sweat.
Do you still actively take in sick minis and go over them top to bottom? If I had all the obvious pieces are there places to send it to to have it pieced together and gone over 100%? I have no problem investing the money if it is feasible.
What I’m dying for is at least the prospect of having a fully functioning moog. It’s almost horrible that I ran into this one instead of a source or even a lil phatty that actually plays like it should. Mini’s have such a soft spot with me but I’ve been burned by the logistics of keeping them going before. Fingers crossed…if it was ment to be with this one it was ment to BE!!!
HIMMM
Nick- Thanx for the shout! All I paid for it was my best mare and 100lbs of salted cod! winkwinknudgenudge … (Google NOVA SCOTIA and HAPPY CANADA DAY!)
Thanks for the kind words.
Glad to meet you also.
In looking at your pics, it would seem yours is an earlier rev mini once outfitted with a later temp stabilized board.
The piece of insulting cardboard at the top where the vco board should be gives it away. Earlier vcos didn’t need this piece.
New caps appear to be in the envs, I think. Others still stock.
Yeah, someone took yer boards!
Fixing these up is what I do.
The only worry to me on yours are the missing boards.
The vco board I have is a Don Martin duped board. Not orig.
It’s fine and runs, but is of the later temp stabilized rev.
Not the kind that originally came with the unit.
I wish you were missing the env boards.
Those I have 20 of!
But the VCF board missing raises a big question..
Do you search and wait until an original board presents itself and hopefully at a reasonable cost?
Or do you have one made from scratch and pay possibly more than for a used one?
That board has not only the filter on it, but also the A-440 reference, ext audio preamp and lamp driver and two vcas.
There’s a lot to duplicate from scratch and there’s no ICs at all.
It’s all discrete transistor technology.
Update…
I’ve done a little scouring.
#4 board is still up in the air but maybe some promising leads.
I found another original #1 so hopefully between that and you Kevin, I can sleep easy about Osc boards.
I popped the other mini’s boards in for kicks the other night and the thing actually played quite well. The osc’s jump around a bit and the pots were scratchy …but it was thick All the keys worked, switches were dirty but cracked just like new …there were some modulation issues, the filter and osc’ didn’t seem to want to link to modulate … the mod wheel is missing so I can’t REALLY complain…we’ll see on that one.
Kevin,
Is there anyway to PM me with an estimate to get done what we’ve discussed up to this point? ( Your #1 Board, #4 Board (assuming I find one) Wheel Assem. and a goin’ over! … also shipping options… could I send just the guts?)
Many thanks to all already!!!
HIMMM
You’re welcome to email me. Thanks.
For spam purposes, I use this…
A=synthfool
Email me at A*A.com
I’m concerned about the lack of a filter board though.
Still no luck (thanks Mike B and Wetdragoon!).
Oh my (sigh) … I AM ITCHING!
-HIMMM