Just a quick question…
Can anyone tell me if the LP Stage II has different processors to the Stage I that hold the Operating system etc…?
And what are the other hardware differences between the LP Stage I & Stage II, apart from the obvious USB port and Black rear panel…?
,I own an LP Stage II… as far as I know, the only hardware difference is the USB port and of course the cosmetic color change you mentioned…mine came with the new OS 2.0 on it, but a Stage I that gets upgraded to OS 2.0 will be functionally identical, save for the USB items… and of course the sound is the same… I posted a “best of” set of 100 patches for the LP that are a selection of factory presets from the TE, the SE and the SEII a while back…
The Stage II also has an upgraded keyboard which is built using finer tolerances as well as foam under the springs that make for a quieter action. Also, the wheel assembly is a bit stronger in the Stage II. These upgrades are talked about in other threads, so explore the forum for more detailed explainations. 
Don’t forget the improved sample and hold ICs in the Stage II, which lower a high frequency aliasing type noise by 12db. 
Also, the Stage II no longer has a painted control panel, this has been replaced with a plastic overlay/sticker, similar to the type used on the Voyager series. At first I hated it, but have come to favor it. It’s more durable and looks more Moog like.
Are you sure about the overlay sticker? The one they have at the Sam Ash near me has a painted panel. Perhaps it’s an earlier model? Yes I forgot about the improved S&H…thanks for the reminder!
Either it was a Stage 1, or you need to go back and take a closer look…That’s a sticker.
Unless they put foam under the keys, added the black panel and upgraded left hand controller while keeping the Stage I front panel, it is definitely a Stage II without a sticker. Perhaps Amos or someone else at Moog could verify this?
You could see all that? 
No, of course I couldn’t see all that! But I sure could feel the difference between the Stage II keyboard and my own. The wheels were a bit stiffer as well, so I know those were different. But for sure there was no sticker on the front panel.
Oh, it’s there. It’s a very high quality sticker. hard to detect. Just look for the border of the sticker.
…Or read this thread: http://www.moogmusic.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=5124&highlight=sticker
Some LPs have silkscreened front panels. I don’t know how many, or why; mostly they have the acrylic overlay like you’ve seen. But this isn’t always the case.
And to answer the original question, the processor is the same on the Stage II, the Stage I, and the Tribute. The Tribute has a smaller EEPROM which is where the operating system is stored; this is why when we (finally) complete the OS 2.0 for the Tribute Edition, it will need an EEPROM upgrade to hold the expanded firmware code. Fortunately, EEPROM chips are cheap. 
Thanks a lot Amos! I knew I wasn’t going crazier than I already am! 
I know a sticker when I see one, and the Stage II at the Buffalo Grove Sam Ash definitely DOES NOT have a sticker! So glad to clear my mind of this matter.
Could this be due to the remaining Stage 1s being converted to Stage 2s?
_maaay_be… but I think the same situation was true with the stage I, i.e. some had silkscreened panels and some overlays. I seem to recall some forum posts to that effect.
Interesting. On the Stage I, the majority had silkscreening. On the Stage II, the majority have the sticker(which I prefer, BTW). Any reason for this change? Looks, durability, economy…?
Is the EEPROM in the Tribute socketed, or surface mounted? If it is socketed,
it can be replaced pretty easily. If it’s surface mounted I have to send it to
someone to be installed…
rachel
I suspect is surface mount Rachel…but good question…would it be advantagous to socket it on replacement for future possible upgrades?
Cheers
LPTE #585
it is surface mounted.