Just bought a Model D on eBay...

[EricK]

Also, I'm curious about your calzone case. I built a case for mine from scratch in the 80s but that's vanished over the decades, so I need a new case. Can you share any info on that as well?
Leo

I purchased a Model D last year and inquired here about a professional quality road case to protect my investment. One of the long-time and well-respected members of this forum advised me to go with Anvil. Calzone makes Anvil, but I was told to contact Anvil and not their parent company (Calzone).

All you have to do is contact the dealer and tell them Minimoog Model D. It will be to the synth's exact size unless you specify something different like a case for cables or something like that. It cost about $475 if I remember correctly plus shipping from California to Florida.

The quality is superb. I'm confident that the Model D will be very protected, though it won't be spending much time in the case because I play it as often as I can.

Hope this helps.

Eric

Edit: The image was taken by the tech when it was at his place. It was 350 plus shipping.

[jsharpphoto]

If you are comfortable releasing the $ amounts, when it's all said and done, I think it would be a good resource for the Moog community. Sort of a cautionary tale? Every voyage Minimoog is going to have different needs, but I'm sure there are lots (relatively) of people who want a model D but don't know the commitment they are asking for. This wouldn't be to scare people off, or not intend to anyways. Just to inform them of potiental costs.

I heard someone say they couldn't believe that I bought a new voyager XL, when I could have purchased an original model D for less money. When in fact, I doubt that's really true.

If you don't feel comfortable telling us actual money, I totally understand. It can be a very private matter.

[Spumoni]

Analog Lab was very receptive to my problem. They offered to pay for half of the opto-key kit, and install it for free. In the end, I decided I didn't want to send it back in hopes to do it myself, so I asked for a little more of a credit since they wouldn't be installing it. The shipping alone was a cost issue.

They are going to refund me 350 dollars for the extra key contact work - remember he ended up spending hours soldering each and every contact, which in the end he thinks was guitar wire.

Total bill before the credit including everything was about 840 bucks. Minus the credit I paid 490. I believe I have a description of the work somewhere in this thread.

Leo - if you're an hour away, I wouldn't discourage you from going there just because I had an issue. As for the Calzone case, It think it was money well spent. I believe it cost about 390 for a custom built case - and this thing is definitely a tank! I will post a photo if you like.

In the process of purchasing the opto-key kit, I had some excellent dialog with Chris from This Old Synth, and decided to send him the unit (minus the wood case). It's on his way to him now.

Hope I answered everyones questions!

[EricK]

I'm glad you negotiated since it looked like they took advantage of you. I can't wait to hear how happy you are with your Mini once you finally get it all worked out.

Eric

[leohuppert]

Analog Lab was very receptive to my problem. They offered to pay for half of the opto-key kit, and install it for free. In the end, I decided I didn't want to send it back in hopes to do it myself, so I asked for a little more of a credit since they wouldn't be installing it. The shipping alone was a cost issue.

They are going to refund me 350 dollars for the extra key contact work - remember he ended up spending hours soldering each and every contact, which in the end he thinks was guitar wire.

Total bill before the credit including everything was about 840 bucks. Minus the credit I paid 490. I believe I have a description of the work somewhere in this thread.

Leo - if you're an hour away, I wouldn't discourage you from going there just because I had an issue. As for the Calzone case, It think it was money well spent. I believe it cost about 390 for a custom built case - and this thing is definitely a tank! I will post a photo if you like.

In the process of purchasing the opto-key kit, I had some excellent dialog with Chris from This Old Synth, and decided to send him the unit (minus the wood case). It's on his way to him now.

Hope I answered everyones questions!

hey spumoni thanks for the reply. i haven't done anything yet. i think (for the moment anyway) that i should get a quality case before it goes anywhere. seems to make sense.
as far as WHERE it goes, i'm trying to imagine shipping the thing across the country to chris. now i'm leaning toward the opto key mod. don't know if it's advisable (the shipping, not the mod).

two more questions if you don't mind:

--apart from the keybed issues, do you think the analog lab guys did the job you were hoping for? i feel like i only get one chance to screw this thing up and i want to make the right choice on who works on it.

--had you gone with the opto key initially, would that have eliminated all the problems you subsequently had?

thanks again for the info man. straight ahead...

leo

[leohuppert]

Also, I'm curious about your calzone case. I built a case for mine from scratch in the 80s but that's vanished over the decades, so I need a new case. Can you share any info on that as well?
Leo

I purchased a Model D last year and inquired here about a professional quality road case to protect my investment. One of the long-time and well-respected members of this forum advised me to go with Anvil. Calzone makes Anvil, but I was told to contact Anvil and not their parent company (Calzone).

All you have to do is contact the dealer and tell them Minimoog Model D. It will be to the synth's exact size unless you specify something different like a case for cables or something like that. It cost about $475 if I remember correctly plus shipping from California to Florida.

The quality is superb. I'm confident that the Model D will be very protected, though it won't be spending much time in the case because I play it as often as I can.

Hope this helps.



Eric

Edit: The image was taken by the tech when it was at his place. It was 350 plus shipping.

great stuff man. i really appreciate the input. i anvil's a good company top deal with. i have an anvil case for my bass from 1980 and it's been everywhere. got it re-foamed by them a couple yrs ago and it's good to go. anyway, i'll give 'em a shout.

cheers...


leo

[Spumoni]

Leo - Yes, I believe if I had gone with the opto-key kit originally it would have solved all of the problems. Looking forward to seeing how it works!

Attached are the photos of the new case - this thing is really built like a tank! Total price with shipping was $363, and it only took a couple of weeks. They are built to order with a choice of colors and stencil options. Hopefully some day I can introduce it to my Minimoog...

[leohuppert]

Leo - Yes, I believe if I had gone with the opto-key kit originally it would have solved all of the problems. Looking forward to seeing how it works!

Attached are the photos of the new case - this thing is really built like a tank! Total price with shipping was $363, and it only took a couple of weeks. They are built to order with a choice of colors and stencil options. Hopefully some day I can introduce it to my Minimoog...

Nice. Seems reasonable. i think the opto will be the way to go also.

thanks for all the great info, man. now all i have to do is get it happening...

[dougt]

Not sure about the foam in that case. Is it very firm or does it squish a bit? It also doesn't seem to be thick enough around the edges to protect the synth. At least I would be uncomfortable shipping it with that case.

[Spumoni]

Thanks to Chris from THIS OLD SYNTH! I can not recommend him highly enough. This is a night and day difference compared to the previous service experience. Not only is he meticulous, but his prices are extremely reasonable. I'm absolutely delighted in every regard.

[Spumoni]

I was able to refinish the case while Chris worked on everything else... what a satisfying experience putting the "perfect" pieces back together (hopefully for the last time!).

[EricK]

Looks beautiful.

Now sell it for $8500.

[Spumoni]

HA!!! I wished!!! I seriously doubt I could ever sell it for what I have into it. I wished I had sent it to Chris @ This Old Synth the first time around... But I'm very comfortable knowing that it IS slowly appreciating... UNLIKE my Voyager.

[thealien666]

Great work on the wood finish Spumoni ! Looks fantastic.

[torinkrell]

Its always great when we can turn an old relic back into a beautiful fully functional and expressive musical instrument! Does anyone know where I could get a soft case for my Minimoog Model D like that pictured above?