Moog Prodigy: what and how to check before buying?

FlavioB · May 5, 2014, 7:20pm

Hy there.
I will get the chance to put my fingers on a Moog Prodigy this week. The actual owner says it’s working ok, the pictures look ok to me.
Now still I’d like to know what and how to check on the Prodigy when I get my hands on it?

Thanks for any helpful advice!
F.

PS: it’s already fitted with CV/gate in and outs (seem to be made “by hand”).

megavoice · May 6, 2014, 6:26pm

I’m going to ask my tech this week, he’s just working on one currently.

FlavioB · May 6, 2014, 6:32pm

Oh ok… I will get to test the Prodigy Thursday evening!
Thanks,
F.

thealien666 · May 6, 2014, 9:33pm

The Moog Prodigy being a rather “basic” analog synth (much like its close siblings the MG-1 and The Rogue), there are of course the obvious things to check like : are the two oscillators producing tones, are they in tune with each other on all octave ranges, do all the waveforms work, does the sync work, does the filter work and its resonance too, does the keyboard tracking work on the filter, are both envelopes working properly on all settings, is the LFO working on its two waveforms and modulating destinations properly via the mod wheel, does the glide function work as it should, do all the knobs and switches work without scratchiness, are the keys of the keyboard all triggering properly, are they making clunking noises (worn or damaged bushings), are there signs of mishandling (chipped wood, missing switch caps or knobs, or other physical damage) ?

But these also apply to any analog synth being evaluated for purchase.

Good luck.

FlavioB · May 7, 2014, 11:11am

Thanks “thealien666”! I’ll do the checks right away tomorrow!

F.

megavoice · May 7, 2014, 6:17pm

Well, all is said above perfectly. There’s anything to add.

EricK · May 7, 2014, 8:21pm

The 650-750 price range is probably fair. I haven’t checked ebay to see what these are selling for but there’s no way that I think people can justify asking more than that unless it is in immaculate condition and they have had it totally restored. Still, it doesn’t seem like it is even deserving of approaching the $1000 price some people try to get for it.

MC1 · May 7, 2014, 8:37pm

thealien666:

The Moog Prodigy being a rather “basic” analog synth (much like its close siblings the MG-1 and The Rogue), there are of course the obvious things to check like : are the two oscillators producing tones, are they in tune with each other on all octave ranges, do all the waveforms work, does the sync work, does the filter work and its resonance too, does the keyboard tracking work on the filter, are both envelopes working properly on all settings, is the LFO working on its two waveforms and modulating destinations properly via the mod wheel, does the glide function work as it should, do all the knobs and switches work without scratchiness, are the keys of the keyboard all triggering properly, are they making clunking noises (worn or damaged bushings), are there signs of mishandling (chipped wood, missing switch caps or knobs, or other physical damage) ?

But these also apply to any analog synth being evaluated for purchase.

Good luck.

And if it doesn’t play more than one note, it is broken and your final offer should be $50.

FlavioB · May 7, 2014, 8:42pm

MC:

thealien666:

The Moog Prodigy being a rather “basic” analog synth (much like its close siblings the MG-1 and The Rogue), there are of course the obvious things to check like : are the two oscillators producing tones, are they in tune with each other on all octave ranges, do all the waveforms work, does the sync work, does the filter work and its resonance too, does the keyboard tracking work on the filter, are both envelopes working properly on all settings, is the LFO working on its two waveforms and modulating destinations properly via the mod wheel, does the glide function work as it should, do all the knobs and switches work without scratchiness, are the keys of the keyboard all triggering properly, are they making clunking noises (worn or damaged bushings), are there signs of mishandling (chipped wood, missing switch caps or knobs, or other physical damage) ?

But these also apply to any analog synth being evaluated for purchase.

Good luck.

And if it doesn’t play more than one note, it is broken and your final offer should be $50.

HE HE HE!
Then I think I will get my first Moog for $ 50 !!!

F.

thealien666 · May 7, 2014, 8:48pm

Unfortunately, not everyone can be as lucky as Rick Wakeman with his first Minimoog !
Although, when I bought my Mini in somewhat bad shape electronically, I could see the face of the seller cringe when the siren sound behaviour, completely out of tune, and misfiring triggers of the dirty contacts on the keyboard were heard, and thus I could have him lower his asking price. But he wouldn’t go down to $50, unfortunately.