I’m in the process of restoring a 1973 Minimoog (serial # 2001). It’s a nice example with Alan Pierce initials and is in that quirky run where they used black rocker switches instead of blue…the restoration has been a fun process and the synth sounds very good now. I have gleaned a lot of great information from this forum which I appreciate very much.
I have two problems that need solving:
First, the bottom of the case is not original but luckily the only holes are the 8 original screw holes. I would like to make a new one. What are the dimensions of the bottom wood (partical board?), e.g., thickness, length/width? Are the edges straight or beveled. What kind of feet were used? What are the two inside runner pieces on the bottom, that is the two strips of wood that are painted black like the bottom and seem to be mounted to the bottom piece, I imagine to serve as guides of some sort.
Second, the (black vinyl) face plate has some ugly lifting of the transparent vinyl top coat…this gives the front panel (and panel around the wheels) a hazy, whitish appearance in certain areas. My instincts are to try and “melt” it back down with solvent or heat. Anybody with experience on this? I don’t want a repro if I can help it and of course I don’t want to do anything stupid.
I greatly appreciate any advice or info!
i will measure it and get back to you.. As far as I know it is one piece of wood.. Not sure what you mean about the two black strips..
i think you might be thinking about the strips that are actually cushioning the back of the front panel when you lay the panel flat… ???
ALSO, You can BUY NEW panels.. I wouldn’t melt ANYTHING if I were you.. Plus no one will ever know..
I know that just a few weeks ago there was a post by the person who made em.. Even Kevin Lightner said they look great… And he is tough to please when it comes to making duplicate Mini parts…
Oh here is that post : http://www.moogmusic.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=5465
Hope this helps
i will measure it and get back to you.. As far as I know it is one piece of wood.. Not sure what you mean about the two black strips..
Many thanks! I thought it was a composition or partical board? Regarding the two extra strips of wood on the bottom panel: I saw them in a photo on this page: http://www.artlabz.com/moog/restoration_6xxx/minimoog6xxx_5.htm In these photos 2 strips (cushions, guides?) are glued or screwed to the bottom panel. Maybe their job is as you say to cushion the back panel when flat, that would make sense…they could be rubber or painted wood for all I know.
ALSO, You can BUY NEW panels.. I wouldn’t melt ANYTHING if I were you.. Plus no one will ever know..
It’s good to know the repros are so good. I’d always thought that changing a repairable original part on a vintage instrument for a reproduction is considered a mortal sin by many, especially collectors. A new front panel still wouldn’t solve the whitishness on the wheel control panel.
Because the troublesome top (transparent) layer of vinyl is becoming unstuck with the years (causing the whitish haze) it makes sense to try to re-adhere it to the black textured surface beneath. I remember years ago building models that had decals that must be applied to uneven surfaces, like a riveted airplane wing…there was a solvent that was applied to the decal and it softened and “melted” the decal into every nook and cranny. It seems that re-adhering polymer films that have seperated would be a standard job for art and antique restorers?
Thanks again for your time and experience.
Yes.. those black pieces are black rubber foam stuff of some sort., to cushion the panel when you lay it flat. I will measure those too..
ALSO Yes the bottom is particle board !
You might be able to find a NEW or repro Left hand controller that looks good and not faded or whitish as you say…
So the panel itself is not bubbling, its just the protecting sheet that came on the panel 30 years ago.. Peel that shitt off already 
It’s all good.. Otherwise I’m confused, if you are refering to something else..
Yes.. those black pieces are black rubber foam stuff of some sort., to cushion the panel when you lay it flat. I will measure those too..
Aahh, very interesting…I would have never known that without your help.
ALSO Yes the bottom is particle board !
Thats a clear answer…thank you Nick!!! When you have missing parts on a restoration it can be so frustrating to look at photos on ebay or whereever and try to intrerpret what something is…much thanks. Words like “rubber blocks” or “particle board” take me from the dark to the light.
So the panel itself is not bubbling, its just the protecting sheet that came on the panel 30 years ago.. Peel that shitt off already It’s all good.. Otherwise I’m confused, if you are refering to something else..
If you’ve never examined a Moog with whitish contol plates it’s hard to describe. I think a previous poster described the effect as “bubbling”. It’s not a peel-off protective sheet. You’re confused (probably my fault)…you see, the black textured vinyl has a top coat of super thin transparent film
that was never meant to come off. It’s a protective laminate clear coat of some kind, probably a 3M type polymer. If your Mini panel is in good shape you’d never know it was there, that’s the idea…Clear Coat…not hazy whitish coat. But in the case of serial #2001 time has not been so kind, and it has begun to lift and seperate from the backing material. I’m assuming it’s a fairly common problem.[/img]
The same fellow that’s making front panels may be offering mod section vinyls soon also.
The film on the panel can be removed usually, but it’s a long process.
I used to use lacquer thinner, but it can melt the panel slightly if you’re not careful.
Citrus oil (De-SolvIt) works also and won’t mess with the panel underneath, but it’s not quite as good as lacquer thinner.
Heat works, but it’s a very fine line between warping a panel and removing the film. If too hot, the first thing you’ll see are edges around switches start to melt or become rounded. Not good. No way back.
All removal processes require a lot of patience, good lighting and sharp tweezers.
Replacement with an aftermarket panel is also quite a lot of work, but probably less than some bubbled panels.
The rectangular blocks in the back of the case are foam pads for the panel to rest on when down.
Fwiw, a serial number of that range is pretty early and there were many changes made in later minis and in the service manual, though not all were documented.
You may encounter errors or discrepancies in the manual vs the Mini you’re working on.
I generally consider the term “restoration” as something possible once a tech is very familar and skilled with a particular unit, but wish you good luck with whatever you’re doing.