Has anyone removed the Wooden Side Panels on their T3’s? 
I gig with mine and I’ve found after only a relatively short period of time the Wood has picked up a couple of dings already, (mainly my fault in trying to fit the flight case on clumsily). I was wondering whether to remove them and if so what is actually behind there? I assume the Wooden Panels are cosmetic only as I think I’ve seen a video on You Tube of some on Test at Moog with black panelling and no Wood?
There’s definitely a market for replacement wood. Maybe Technician Larry, who’s doing the MG/Rogue side panels, could knock something up.
I don’t want to replace the Wooden Side Panels, I’m just assuming that they are cosmetic only and if removed (for long term preservation) there are no gaping holes behind so the T3’s can be transported and gigged without them?
Behind the side panels are the steel sides of the chassis.
I realised that, I was just thinking if you could get some cheap replacements for gigging and keep the originals safe at home. Just think it’ll look a bit odd without. I was wondering about some black rubber cheeks a la OSCar, I think that would be cool (and tough).
Gents, check out synthwood.com - they make custom wood side panels for many different synths. They haven’t done the T-3 yet, but once the first customer sends their’s in, they will have a pattern for future builds.
Just heard too many bad stories on various forums about synthwood: very hit and miss.
I don’t really want to go down the route of buying replacement Side Panels. 
If you look at the “Taurus 3 Timelapse” Movie on the dedicated Taurus 3 Site it shows the T3 being assembled and it doesn’t appear to have the Wooden Side Panels fitted until quite late in their assembly stage and I think they look quite cool without them! 
I think this may have raised the issue of the possible need for a '‘Stage’ Version of the T3, i.e. a lighter ‘no-frills’ version with an Aluminium Chassis and GRP or Aluminium Body?
Wood Side panels???
Save yourself some money, head over to your local Home Improvement store, Big ones offer more. Check out the lumber area for shelving and hard wood. You can pick up boards made of Pine, Cedar, Poplar and Oak (usually red oak). Trace out some measurements, cut to size, drill holes for the screws, sand stain to what ever color you desire. Then install them on your T-3!! I’m thinking some dark Mahogony side panels will look good in any studio!
My original posting was the exact opposite of what is now being discussed in that I was trying to establish whether it is possible to remove the Wooden Side Panels, i.e. to do without them and not source alternative materials to replace them with. 
Well I think Erik K already established that there’s steel behind there. I think you would run a little risk of the now exposed top black panel edges getting scratched/chipped though, which is why I suggested putting something there.
Why not just take them off and have a look?
Hi Mr Arkadin,
I might try removing them as you say to have a look. As I said a while ago the T3 Assembly Video on the Taurus Site shows it fully enclosed in the black panelling and the wooden side panels appear to be a ‘last fit’ item. They should come off ok as it’s only a couple of screws per side, however I would dread to hear the awful sound of a nut falling inside the casing upon removing the first screw! 
We could do with a service manual right about now showing all the screw positions. It doesn’t look too difficult to open up if something does drop, but I understand your concern - a rattling T3 would not be good (unless it’s windows you’re rattling), plus the possibility of short circuits.
If we have to wait as long for the Service Manual as for the Editor/Librarian then all is lost! 
Funny stuff right there!
Come on guys, where’s your sense of adventure? I’ve had the sides & front panel off of just about every synth I’ve ever owned, just to see what’s inside. Naturally curious, I guess. The T-3 side panels remove easily (just draw a diagram on some scratch paper 1st, designating which screw came out of which hole, and tape the screws to the paper), but I sure wouldn’t gig with them removed - the structural integrity could be compromised. The wood may get banged up a bit gigging, but nothing compared to the metal sides of my Roland PK-5s - it’s down to bare metal in some spots. Of course they are 10 years old, and have been on many a stage in many a seedy club…
The PK5’s are quite low so I can appreciate them getting a few scuffs and knocks. On the T3’s the Wooden Side Panels don’t seem quite as vulnerable but this will obviously vary from band to band and how the stage gear is packed away at the end of the gig. Personally any damage I’ve done to the Wood is purely my own fault and have caused this by not aligning the flight case properly and have caught the Wood with the metal edge of the case.
Yes, I’m going to remove them (possibly at the weekend) to have a good look.
Although the Wooden Side Panels look very smart I don’t quite understand why Moog decided to use this type of material, the T3’s almost look too nice to gig with! I think Aluminum would have been a better choice, and these days you can get Aluminum with a quite realistic Woodgrain effect.