The Bob Moog Foundation has announced its latest fundraising raffle – and this time the prize is a fully-restored vintage Minimoog synthesizer signed by Geddy Lee, the legendary synthesist, bassist, and vocalist for the band Rush.
“Bob Moog’s legacy stands out as a pioneer, an inventor, and a stylist. He helped initiate styles of music that wouldn’t have otherwise been possible without his contribution,” said Lee.
Geddy Lee prominently used the Minimoog in some of Rush’s most iconic songs, including The Trees, Countdown, Xanadu, and Tom Sawyer.
“The Minimoog sets itself apart because it has a fat, identifiable tone. I really like that,” noted Lee.
The raffle begins on February 6 and ends on February 27, 2023 at 11:59 p.m. ET, or when all 10,000 tickets sell out, whichever comes first. The raffle is open internationally.
The Minimoog featured is serial number 4070, built at Moog Music’s Williamsville, NY, USA factory on Feb 14, 1974. It has a desirable modification: the Opto-Key upgrade, originally created by Kevin Lightner, which replaces the original mechanical contacts with infrared light sensors, eliminating contact cleaning or wear.
The Opto-Key upgrade also includes MIDI In and as well as MIDI Out. The MIDI jacks were modified in a very discreet manner, to prevent holes in the chassis. The Minimoog is in excellent technical condition, and has minor cosmetic flaws, as is commensurate with a synthesizer of this vintage.
The Minimoog has an estimated value of $10,000 USD. Due to the highly coveted nature of this archetypal synthesizer, and the signature from Geddy Lee, it is likely to increase in value. It has been meticulously restored by synthesizer technician Jareth Lackey of Synthpro Restorations, who specializes in restoration of vintage Moog synthesizers.
Funds raised from the raffle will be used to expand the Foundation’s hallmark educational project, Dr. Bob’s SoundSchool, which has inspired over 25,000 elementary school students through the science of sound. The raffle also helps support the Moogseum, an immersive, experiential museum located in Asheville, NC, which brings the science of sound and synthesis alive for people of all ages, through Bob Moog’s pioneering legacy. The Moogseum opened in May 2019, and has since welcomed over 25,000 visitors from all over the world.
“The Bob Moog Foundation is honored to offer this rare Minimoog synthesizer signed by Geddy Lee,” said Executive Director Michelle Moog-Koussa.
“Geddy’s distinctive and innovative use of the Minimoog and Moog Taurus Bass pedals was intrinsic to Rush’s early archetypal sound, and served as a hallmark of how those instruments could be artfully fused in a live setting. We are deeply grateful to Geddy for supporting our important work at the intersection of science, music, and innovation.”
Tickets are $25 each, five for $100, 12 for $200, or 35 for $500, and can be purchased at the Bob Moog Foundation website. The winner will be announced on Friday, March 3, 2023.
i never win these things. however, I am glad the money goes toward teaching kids something real about the world.
Admin: Personal attack deleted (mocking someone).
Keep comments on topic and constructive.
is that who that googly eye guy is? I saw them on Don Kirshners Rock Concert on Saturday night at 11pm with a six pack of heffenreffers and a pack of cools when I was but the strapping young wastrel of my teens.
The Bob Moog Foundation is an independent non-profit charity organization and is not associated with the company Moog in any way.
Your bizarre hate towards a synth manufacturer and musicians just led you to discredit a charity that helps kids learn about music. Maybe it’s time to reevaluate your values.
That does not change the fact that you intentionally or unknowingly confused the Bob Moog Foundation with Moog Music Inc. and their spokesperson Lisa Belladonna. Stop spreading misinformation and stay on topic please.
They are drumming up publicity to raise as much for their non-profit as they can. Is that so hard to understand?
Admin: Personal attack deleted.
Your comments will be held for moderation, going forward, because you have made multiple personal attacks.
Keep your future comments on topic and don’t waste the site admin’s time.
made you look, didn’t she? 😉
For somebody who claims to have worked for non-profit charities, you sure have little insight into how fundraisers work. Understatement does not help the cause when you are trying to create publicity and sell tickets for a raffle. But hey, feel free to run your own charity and do it your way; the more money goes into good causes, the better.
If you don’t think giving children the gift of MUSIC is important work, what are you even doing here? This is a website by and for people who love music and technology. Do you actually make music and enjoy it? Where does this bitterness towards other people’s efforts to help children come from?
doesn’t even mention “youth education”, just bs and blah blah
we would have fired our spokesperson the next day for a such a bad PR stunt. can’t act like that.
Lala, who did you work for?
speaking of wastrels, whatever happened to ‘synth making slave’? maybe he’ll be back when the Behringer floodgates open.
Something about the filter on this one sounds slightly nasally… (sorry sir geddy, had to xo)
i don’t care who it is, even Bob himself, i wouldn’t want someone to write their name on my Minimoog.
yeah, agreed. this is just cashing in on ‘hero’ worship.
Nah, but call me if you’re raffling those K240’s with Neil Peart’s sweat in ’em.