Provided you can get them as spare parts from Moog or elsewhere, how complex is it to replace the plain black mod wheels with the backlit transparent version on a Voyager Performer edition as a DIY exercise?
Not difficult at all. All you need is a Phillips-head screwdriver to remove the old wheels and open the back panel.
It’s pretty handy to have some RTV silicone on hand and put a dab on the connector body so it can’t vibrate apart later.
That’s about it.
And what about the light source itself? Is that a LED or what? Actually I’d like to replicate the Solar color if possible.
You could get the aftertouch upgrade at the same time if you liked (serial < 2761):
http://moogmusic.com/products/minimoog-voyagers/voyager-upgrades
It’s available as a field upgrade and I’ve done it myself.
The stock colour is blue, but you could get orange I’m sure (or change the LEDs yourself).
Anyone has photos showing how to do that? I mean also the light part.
As you already noted…nobody is having pictures at hand to show you how to do this but at least i can try to explain it.
The modwheel comes as a wooden unit with the wheels already mounted in it.
The original one can be removed with 2 screws at the front…see also this picture :
http://media.soundonsound.com/sos/nov04/images/moog3thewheels.l.jpg
Be carefull as some washers will be situated between the unit and the voyager itself.
After the crews are removed you will see that there is still (one or two…can’t remember) some connectors left which can be removed.
Then you can remove the whole “old” unit…and replace it in the same way with the new one.
For changing the color in the unit…it is just a LED…can be replaced for another color if you know the correct value.
I guess you may have to solder a resistor in between if the current is to high for the other colored LED.
Hope this helps…if you have any more questions…please feel free to ask.
Thanks a lot, it sounds easy enough then. Is there any reliable Moog parts supplier around (assuming Moog themselves won’t sell spare parts…)? I found this one: http://www.instrumentalparts.com/movosppa.html
Cheers!
Moog WILL sell spare parts, and will even give you tips on how to add lights. E-mail Amos. He’s awesome. 