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Re: Micky Dolenz Moog

Posted: Sun Dec 22, 2013 10:43 am
by Trigger
BrianK wrote:
compago wrote:I have access to Micky Dolenz' 1967 R.A. Moog Modular III-p or 3C. It's still visibly mint, the owner is selling it and I am representing him. It's a museum piece. It may have been the moog used on The Doors Strange Days song, I am trying to verify that. Pretty sure Micky sold it to Bobby Sherman "for a song". There are 3 wood cabinets and 28 modules total, including all three 904's, ten oscillators and some apparently rare one-off mixer and I/O modules without serials or model numbers - but with black lettering-gun tape. Talk about old school!
You may be disappointed to know that Electra studios had their own Moog, as used on some Doors and others. And Paul Beaver's was often brought to Electra (the building is still on La Cienega) for sessions (George Harrison's Electronic Sound, Mort Garson records, etc.) What are the clues that make you think the Monkees' machine was used?
Brian:

Wasn't there a connection with Jac Holzman (Elektra) and Beaver & Krause as far as the Elektra/Nonesuch label? IIRC, that's where the Nonesuch Guide to Electronic Music came from...That might explain Beaver's session work with Elektra artists, and that he might have sold Elektra their system.

Re: Micky Dolenz Moog

Posted: Thu Dec 26, 2013 3:31 am
by BrianK
Definitely. There was a connection AND Mort Garson (also a big proponent of early hippie Moog stuff) was there, too. Elektra bought their Moog through the sales agents (I think really mainly Paul Beaver, technically, but will have to ask Bernie if he was legally a rep, too) which they were on the West Coast. I don't know all the details, but it's a small world - especially then - and I've got to find Bob's story about the studio visit when he first heard the Cosmic Sounds record being made... hilarious. I think he was stunned by the West Coast hippie culture, being from a very different NY aesthetic...

Re: Micky Dolenz Moog

Posted: Sat Dec 28, 2013 4:25 pm
by mikael488
I was told by Bernie Krause that they (Beaver & Krause) usually used their own Moog system* on most of the recording sessions they participated to since the artists who had a Moog couldn't much figure out how to play theirs. This include albums such as "Zodiac. Cosmic sounds","The Trip" soundtrack, Strange Days by The Doors, Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn & Jones Ltd/Monkees, The Notorious Byrd Brothers/The Byrds, Performance soundtrack and others.

* from about spring '67 through mid '68 they used a late '66/early '67 model "synthesizer III" and after that they had two IIIP's with the extra double sequencer box units plus a Moog 10, and Krause later added a Moog 12. I don't know what happened to their original system but Beaver's system probably ended up with Dan Wyman/Sound arts when they took over Beaver & Krause's studio (which originally went under the name Parasound) in 1975.

Re: Micky Dolenz Moog

Posted: Sat Dec 28, 2013 8:13 pm
by compago
Here are some photos shot in Oct http://compago.net/music/synths/moog/index.html - all my contact info is there.

I've seen the lower mixer module on an earlier unit from '65 or '66, there is no serial or model number. The power unit is serial 1019 and the third I/O keyboard interface has no serial or model numbers. I'd guess proto's or one-offs or customs early models.

I also have a 1974 10-voice Oberheim - 4-voice w keyboard and 6-voice expander, all original, appears mint. It is For Sale.

Re: Micky Dolenz Moog

Posted: Sat Dec 28, 2013 8:15 pm
by compago
BrianK wrote:
compago wrote:
You may be disappointed to know that Electra studios had their own Moog, as used on some Doors and others. And Paul Beaver's was often brought to Electra (the building is still on La Cienega) for sessions (George Harrison's Electronic Sound, Mort Garson records, etc.) What are the clues that make you think the Monkees' machine was used?
The 67 we have has Paul Beavers sticker on one of the modules. I would guess there weren't that many in LA in 1967??

Re: Micky Dolenz Moog

Posted: Sun Dec 29, 2013 3:09 pm
by CZ Rider
Thanks for posting pics of that famous system. Certainly looks very well preserved, like it was kept in a time capsule. Quite a piece of Moog history there. The first "P" system ever made and the only one with oak cabinets. Perhaps the first system shown on American television to millions of viewers. Two famous owners. And in stellar condition. There was a matching oak portable keyboard controller with that system along with a 955 linear controller too.
Those early lower "CP" panels were mostly custom one off configurations, specifically designed for the system they were built for. Moog would later standardize the CP panel configurations from 1968 on. The 8 input mixer is probably the same as the more standard 4 input mixer, with 4 additional resistors/pots. Eric Siday had a similar 8 input mixer and this made sense with 8 of those 901B oscillators just above. The pre-wired patch switching is interesting and almost the same configuration all later system III's would follow with those lighted switches.
Interesting that at some later time, someone swapped the position of the 901A driver to the other cabinet. Was in the cabinet next to the two large 901's. Guessing the switching input node for the keyboard and linear controllers is still wired to that slot in the middle cabinet, and no longer works with the moved 901A. Possibly tuned better as the 901A signal had to travel via external wiring to the 901B bank of 8 oscillators?

Thanks again for shedding some light on this early portable configuration! Lots of info in those photos you posted.

Re: Micky Dolenz Moog

Posted: Sun Dec 29, 2013 4:27 pm
by compago
Thanks for all the additional information. Feel free to email me directly via the email link on the photos website.

The owner tells me he has the keyboard but it is not accessible at the moment, and that is all I know, but it is the original large wooden kb.

The condition is remarkable, especially with Paul Beaver adding the 901A with his business contact sticker on it. We're looking to sell it, the unit is in the Sacramento area. We've talked to a few pros and they've put some serious valuations on it. What do you think?

Re: Micky Dolenz Moog

Posted: Sun Dec 29, 2013 5:30 pm
by compago
Just found a video of Mickey playing this Moog, not contributing much until some randomness at the end, but his last word is priceless. Cool to see it being used in a music video! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SCWRjWOowkc

Do you you know what episode of the Monkees TV show this Moog appeared on please? Or was this it?

Re: Micky Dolenz Moog

Posted: Sun Dec 29, 2013 7:54 pm
by MC
Those aren't oak cabinets, they're plywood with veneer.

I count only a single 901A controller for the entire system. Did it drive all the 901B VCOs?

Note the 901C Output Stage module. You don't see many of those.

Zero 960 sequencers. You'd think that would be a standard module in a B&K system.

Definitely a very unusual modular, thanks for sharing.

Re: Micky Dolenz Moog

Posted: Sun Dec 29, 2013 8:36 pm
by compago
[quote="MC"]Those aren't oak cabinets, they're plywood with veneer.

- See photos. Not sure if it's oak plywood or whatnot.

I count only a single 901A controller for the entire system. Did it drive all the 901B VCOs?

- I don't know. My experience is limited to standard synths, and my time has been very limited with this unit given the owners busy schedule and private demeanor.

Note the 901C Output Stage module. You don't see many of those.

- Cool!

Zero 960 sequencers. You'd think that would be a standard module in a B&K system.

- Were those made in '66 or '67?

Re: Micky Dolenz Moog

Posted: Sun Dec 29, 2013 8:45 pm
by compago
Apparently we cannot add images as "the board / forums quota has been reached"

- Help me ID these hand made markings, a sideways "S" with a line through it - maybe an electrical engineering symbol? they appear on some of the module faceplates in the corners, randomly: http://compago.net/music/moog/img/Moog- ... cratch.jpg

- Here is a closeup of the wood quality: http://compago.net/music/moog/img/Moog-wood.jpg

Thanks!

Re: Micky Dolenz Moog

Posted: Sun Dec 29, 2013 8:50 pm
by Trigger
compago wrote:Help me ID these hand made markings, a sideways "S" with a line through it - maybe an electrical engineering symbol? they appear on some of the module faceplates in the corners, randomly: http://compago.net/music/moog/img/Moog- ... cratch.jpg
Just a WAG, but could it just be a sine wave with a line through it?

Re: Micky Dolenz Moog

Posted: Mon Dec 30, 2013 12:37 am
by MC
compago wrote:Help me ID these hand made markings, a sideways "S" with a line through it - maybe an electrical engineering symbol? they appear on some of the module faceplates in the corners, randomly: http://compago.net/music/moog/img/Moog- ... cratch.jpg
I'm an EE and that does not look like any engineering symbol at all.

You have to remember that the west coast in '66-67 was a very radical and experimental culture. That symbol may be related to those times.

Re: Micky Dolenz Moog

Posted: Mon Dec 30, 2013 1:33 am
by compago
In the words of Spock, "Fascinating".

The mystery builds. What's remarkable about this Moog is that it keeps getting more and more interesting at every turn.

We also have an early Minimoog, does anyone know anything about their seemingly vague serial numbering? Pretty sure ours is a 1970 but the serials make no sense. why not just do 70001 for 1970, #1??

I'll ask the owner to text me the serial, sorry don't have it handy.

Re: Micky Dolenz Moog

Posted: Mon Dec 30, 2013 1:44 am
by CZ Rider
MC wrote:Those aren't oak cabinets, they're plywood with veneer.
Not sure who did the woodwork at Trumansburg, it always seems top notch. All the Trumansburg "walnut" I have here is a combination of plywood covered veneer with some solid pieces. That would be typical for that R.A.Moog era. So while not a solid oak, it is rather oak finished. It doesn't appear to be a cheap method, but more of a structural one. The tops on both 950's here are plywood with a thick walnut verneer applied over top. Probably done to resist bowing. But at first look these seem like soild wood. Same with the 956 ribbon controller, all plywood with a nicely finished walnut veneer. I have seen the 955 refered to as the "Formica" controller, but never heard anyone refer to the 956 as the "Plywood" controller. :lol:
MC wrote:I count only a single 901A controller for the entire system. Did it drive all the 901B VCOs?

Note the 901C Output Stage module. You don't see many of those.
Quite a typical module selection for a 1967 "Synthesizer III" .
Moog Archives Synthesizer III info page
Have to remember this was 1967 and the Moog concept was still new. One 901A driver and eight 901B slaved oscillators, along with two independent 901's. By the later 1968 systems onward, the oscillators were grouped in banks of up to three, each with the newer CP3 mixers below. At some time Bob and company must have realized having 9 oscillators with three seperate drivers in a 3 X 3 configuration was more usefull.

compago wrote:Help me ID these hand made markings, a sideways "S" with a line through it - maybe an electrical engineering symbol?
They seem more like an ownership mark. This seems to be common in the 60's with universities to mark your Moog modules with an ID symbol. Actually takes away from the Mint condition a little bit. This was not a mark R.A.Moog would have made. But sadly many scratched ID's into modules for whatever reason. I would rather take the time and mark them on the inside? But Moog did mark some with "Property Of R A Moog" on the outside. They were neatly done with the same etching process as the modules calibration markings.

That "Daily Nightly" video is the only one I know of where it was shown on their TV series. It was originally aried at the end of two different episodes.
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