MiniMoog 2022 V's the Bob tribute edition

General
1

Hi,

I’m hoping someone can help me understand the differences between the 2022 Minimoog Model D reissue and the newer Bob Moog Tribute Edition.

From what I’ve read and heard—including comparisons such as Alex Ball’s YouTube video—the 2022 reissue is often regarded as being extremely close in both sound and build quality to some of the best original 1970s Minimoogs. That’s really appealing to me.

However, I have to admit I much prefer the aesthetics of the Bob Moog Tribute Edition, so I’m trying to understand whether choosing it would involve any compromise in terms of sound or authenticity.

I’m interested to know whether there are any differences between the two in terms of:

  • The analogue circuit design or signal path

  • Components used (including whether there were any substitutions or revisions)

  • Oscillator, filter or VCA circuitry

  • Calibration or tuning procedures

  • Power supply design

  • Build quality or manufacturing process

  • Overall sonic character

In other words, is the Bob Moog Tribute Edition electronically identical to the 2022 reissue, with the differences being purely cosmetic and commemorative? Or were there any changes to the electronics or design that would affect how the instrument sounds or behaves?

I’d really appreciate any technical detail on this, as I’m trying to decide which version to purchase.

Thanks!

2

Some technical aspects and thoughts:

I have studied the original circuit diagrams of the 1970s, and I am owner of a reissue. So here some aspects concerning the sound:

The most important sound affecting sub units of a Mini are the Moog Saw as part of the VCO and the ladder filter obviously. The rest of the circuitry only adds some side effects to the sound, like the VCA or the overall signal routing. AFAIK all these aspects are kept for all reissues.

There are some issues I don’t know details about. One is the tuning and scale stability and rail noise which might occur in the original. This might be probably better nowadays. The ua726 heated transistor pair is hard to obtain nowadays, so I assume the reissues use 3046 based expos now for stability.

So technically I’d say all reissues are close enough to the original to obtain them for “the original sound”. At the end it is a matter of taste concerning design.

3

thanks, i appreciate your thought son this. It’s a lot of money and unfortunately there is literally nowhere in Ireland where i live that you can try either one of these out, so just trying to gather whatever info i can on it before making the decision to buy one.