Moog Music Forum

Hi,

I am looking at buying a minimoog D as I love the dirty vintage sound it can produce.
The one that i am looking at on the net though, has a modification on the controllers section. I cant make out from the picture what it is for, but being a bit of a purist, i would like to know if modifications can easily be removed?

Also, are there any companies that sell replacement front panels for the Minimoog D?

Thanks

Relayer

It depends on what the modification is, if it involves a lot of circuitry you’ll pay quite a bite to have ti removed and restored properly. If there are any holes in the panel ( probably why you’re asking about panels) they will have to be filled.

Many Mini’s had modifications done to them over the years, when they are done properly they don’t affect the character of the sound. While it’s understandable to be a purist I think there is nothing wrong with having a Mini with Mod’s done to it.

You may have guessed, yes I have a D with some modifications done to it. When I bought it used it had several done to it, some worked a few didn’t. A local synth tech changed the ones that didn’t “work” to something I thought would come in handy from time to time, and added a dedicated LFO. The dedicated LFO is one of the best mods you can have on a D, it will allow you to use all three osc’s in audio range, or do some really cool cross mod things with osc 3. Do I do that often, no, do I used all three osc’s and the dedicated LFO ? All the time .

If you have a good price on a D and the Mod is in place and it works, I’d buy it and keep the mod in place.. I didn’t see you say what the mod is ?

Good luck
Brian

Hi, thanks for your reply.
Yeah i understand exactly what you are saying. The only reason i thought that i might try to get the mod removed was that the knob is in a position that i dont think looks all that good Then again, i cant make out what the mod is from the pic (i have asked the seller but he hasnt replied yet) so I may end up keeping it if it is well done and useful.

That is it down there. The Mod is in the left hand top corner.

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No Problem . It's not the best looking place, but from the photo not to bad, You may be able to get use to it .

No Problem . It's not the best looking place, but from the photo not to bad, You may be able to get use to it .

It looks like there is also a switch next to the glide knob, could be a 2X mod that will increase your glide time from that dialed in.

The knob next to the tune knob could be anything... not sure why, but could be a fine tune, or may tie in with the switch below in some way...

Thanks mate, i didnt even see that swich down there.
Also, do you know if there is any place i would be able to buy the littel silver theing for the top of the knob from?

Thanks

Relayer

No PRoblem.

The little silvery thingie you may be able to find at an electronics store, or supplier on line. You may have to buy a knob that is the same size and replace it with that though.

the knobs the mini uses are still available, and usually sell for around 2.50 each. You can buy them from synthesizers.com or from most on-line part suppliers like mouser.com. it will be easier to just replace the knob, but if you for some reason wanted to, you could buy a new knob, and then remove the silver disk (soak it in water for a while, and it should slide off), and replace it on the mini's original knob.

I personnally don't mind mods either. There are a ton of mods that people have done over the years to their mini's--most add to the mini's functionality.

The mini was one of the very first attempts at a "combo" type of portable synthesizer (before then, it was just large modular synths with seperate key controllers), and for this reason, it lacks some features that would later become standard on many synths. So, many users just added LFOs, Osc Sync, extra CV jacks, etc. on to their Mini's.

Sometimes it hurts their re-sale value; sometimes not. It seems like now, with the rarity of Mini's for sale, many buyers just buy whatever they can find, for whatever price is being asked.

the knobs the mini uses are still available, and usually sell for around 2.50 each. You can buy them from synthesizers.com or from most on-line part suppliers like mouser.com.

Sorry, but Mouser doesn't sell these exact types of knobs.

My guess on the mods is that there's an internal LFO and the switch goes between it and vco 3 as the source.
But it's all just guessing.
Some mods make future service quite a drag though.
Stock is usually cheaper when it comes time for service

Thanks all for your replies. I am getting quite excited about the moog.
Now i just have to hope the auction doesnt go through the roof and some one doesnt out bid me.

I'm sure Kevin is correct , I was thinking it could be a rate knob for an LFO, then the switch could be to go betrween osc 3 or noise source and the "added" LFO... I was thinking of mine where the LFO has mulit wave forms , then a switch for 2x glide, then another switch under the right side ofd the mod mix to chose between noise or the dedicated lfo.

I agree mods can make it hard for service down the road, especially if they are not done too well. On mine several of the preoius mods were not doen too well, the tech who did all the work for me had to clean a few things up.

Hope you are able to get it, you'll have a blast