So I am closing in on imminently being able to release something I have been working on on and off for a couple years, what I have dubbed the "MG-1 ModEx" expansion/mod kit for the "Realistic Concertmate" Moog MG-1. I’m also in Los Angeles and would be willing to take on some extras projects, though I’d like to do mine first to see how long it takes.OK folks, bear with me because I have both a lot of information to deposit here, and a sort of convoluted request for opinions! gonna break it into 2 posts. That said… I’m going to do some of them, because I want more out of my synth and know about electronics. Not only are you totally customizing a vintage (albeit budget) instrument, but the ergonomics of all the squeezed-in knobs and switches and the super weak box its built in make the project seem less worthwhile. ![]() It’s essentially a new synth! Maybe you should just put that money into a synth designed with all of those features. To those looking to mod their synths like this: you’re basically taking a simple old synth and adding double the features through extra holes here and there. I don’t think I’ll be doing ALL of them, but I am really excited about it now. I have been planning on servicing/modding my MG-1 for some time, but did not know about all of these mods! I’ve seen the modular inputs that Analogue Solutions does, but this little guy is fully tricked out. So total – is in the neighborhood of $900 – not cheap, if I didn’t do the labor myself.Ī fully refurbed – beautiful Moog Rogue goes for 750 to 850 right now – and that’s without knowing for sure what has actually been done to it. The MG-1 does have some unique things going for it that may make it all worthwhile.Īs a comparison my Moog Rogue resto cost me:ġ – Moog Rogue on eBay – unrestored and uncleaned – $465.00ģ – New power supply – $12 plus $8 ship from JamecoĤ – Full set of replacement sliders, Knobs, and slider caps – $150 plus $8 shippingĦ – Replacement caps, ICs, power jack, etc – $20 or so from Mouserħ – Labor – at least 16 hours counting buffing keys, desoldering and soldering, cleaning black foam gunk Figure labor at or so and that’s super low honestly – $192 You only do it if you value that specific synths sound. So in the end – all the above would at least double and likely triple the cost of an eBay, or wherever, purchased MG-1.Īt that point you might even consider a Moog Sub for a bit more.Īgain – paying someone to refurb an old synth IS NOT a budget conscious option. Not tough but lots of labor.Ħ.) The actual mods here are pretty cheap parts wise and a few hours of labor. Even if it doesn’t need keys – these old synths really benefit from a key buff as it drastically improves their appearance….and since you likely need to do 5.) anyways…ĥ.) The keybed has a buswire/copper contact system that oxidizes with age and usually needs to be cleaned up - not too tough but it requires removing the keybed and fully dissembling it, ie removing all the keys. ![]() If major circuit ICs are faulty, then they can be hard to find and spendy – some are 45 bucks or more.Ĥ.) Sometimes they need replacement keys – these are around $15 a piece – and you generally then need to buff out all the keys with a polishing compound and a bench grinder so that they are all a consistent color and gloss. Also this gunk is CORROSIVE as hell - so some component leads on the PCB may need to replaced due to this alone.ģ.) It would benefit from having the power regulator ICs and caps replaced – good news is all these are available and relatively cheap. If the sliders need replacement – that’s at least 150 or so for the sliders alone….and more labor. These almost always have not be serviced or cleaned out, if they have been then expect to pay even more for that luxury.Ģ.) If is needs cleaning and removal of the black foam gunk, then that’s hours of labor and it may indicate that it will need most or all of the slide pots replaced. ![]() If that is what you are after, then a Minitaur or Werkstatt might be a better option.ġ.) You have to buy a MG-1 – so figure between 300 and 500 depending on condition etc. ![]() Well, first off – buying an MG-1 that needs to be cleaned, possibly have some parts replaced, possibly need a re-capping, for sure needs the sliders cleaned and maybe fully replaced – IS NOT a cheap way to get a Moog sound.
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