Moog 3P Modular Synthesizer Being Auctioned By UC Berkeley Music Department

Moog 3p Modular Synthesizer

The UC Berkeley Music Department is auctioning off a Moog 3P modular synthesizer that it has had in storage for decades:

Complete Moog 3P modular synthesizer
with sequencer option (2 sequencers total) and additional 3-piece high/low+coupler filter set

This unrestored Moog 3P has been in storage at a university for decades. It is being sold “as is”. However, it has been recently checked for functionality, which is very good–very few functional problems (documentation is available). Lots of dirty and/or intermittent jacks, pots, and switches, as expected in a unit of this age. Cosmetic condition is good to very good. Our suggested opening bid is $10,000.00. This is an extremely valuable instrument in good condition; please only contact seller if you have a serious interest in purchasing.

The modules included are–

Case 1
914, 905, 901A (2), 901B (6), Filter/attenuator, Mult panel, CV unit (2), mixer (2)

Case 2
904A, 904B, 904C, 901A, 901B (3), 903, 912, CV unit (3), mixer (2)

Case 3
902 VCA (4), 911 EG (4), 911A, 984 mixer, trigger/envelope module, controller interface module, power supply

Case 4
960 (2), 961, 962 (2)

Case 5 (wood case, no road case)
904A, 904B, 904C

Item 6 (no case)
950 keyboard controller (one key broken)

Item 7 (no case)
956 ribbon controller

Item 8
box of patch cables (audio and S-trigger) and power cables; schematics

Keeping a Moog 3P modular synthesizer in storage for decades and then auctioning it off seems like a big lost opportunity for students to work with a piece of music history. The auction, though, is a rare opportunity, too.

Auction details are available here.

22 thoughts on “Moog 3P Modular Synthesizer Being Auctioned By UC Berkeley Music Department”

  1. The etiquette of auctions evades me.

    "We suggest an opening bid of $10,000."

    "I'll open with $11,000."

    "Reserve not met."

    Next year, they'll be wanting $50,000 for their clapped-out CMI.

  3. i love how most these just end just sitting at someone's house they make a couple sounds post videos on youtube basically a very expensive toy yet the actually musicians who would use them and create sounds or access there full potential will never even touch one

  4. Mickey Dolenz of The Monkees bought one in the '60s without considering where he was going to put it. When it was delivered, he set it up in the entrance lobby of his apartment, and there it sat, largely unused. One evening, he threw a Hollywood party for John Lennon. Lennon duly arrived, saw the Moog and spent the entire party playing with it. Dolenz was later asked, "What did Lennon play on it?" "Nothing musical," replied Dolenz, "He just spent the entire evening making flying saucer noises on it. The Moog was very good at making flying saucer noises."

    One of my favourite Moog Modular stories. My DIY analogue synth also makes superior flying saucer noises.

  5. Mickey Dolenz actually played that Moog your talking about in one of their performance footage at the end of one of their TV episodes.

    R

  6. As I recall, it featured on just one Monkees song, but I'm blowed if I can remember the name of it – I'm sure somebody will step in with the title. It's probably the song from that TV show.

  7. They should keep it. Take $10000 and restore it to pristine condition and use it for a change, because it really is a piece of musical history they'll be whining about letting go of in another 20 years or so. Bet it won't take that long!

    This one isn't just another 3p either (though all were custom built). Someone sometime took extra care ordering or built onto this guy and then probably retired or something. Then the "brainiacs" packed it up and stored it away– for decades! Must be one hell of a musical department there. One that only makes "real" music. (remember that crap?)

    But the old Big Moog has lost it's snot appeal for Berkeley and they have all the flying saucer samples they need, so off she goes.

    I remember when our local college got one, a 15, on loan for a year and only special people could touch it, the rest of us (students) could look, from the doorway, if we were especially well behaved– and clean. They were particularly snotty about having it. Just like they knew what they were doing with it. It's probably in some guys attic under a half ton of unused and burned out Christmas decorations in Pittsburgh now.

  8. They should keep it. Take $10000 and restore it to pristine condition and use it for a change, because it really is a piece of musical history they'll be whining about letting go of in another 20 years or so. Bet it won't take that long!

    This one isn't just another 3p either (though all were custom built). Someone sometime took extra care ordering or built onto this guy, used it a few years, and then probably retired or something. Then the "brainiacs" packed it up and stored it away– for decades! Must be one hell of a musical department there. One that only makes "real" music. (remember that crap?)

    But the old Big Moog has lost it's snot appeal for Berkeley and they have all the flying saucer samples they need, so off she goes.

    I remember when our local college got one, a 15, on loan for a year and only special people could touch it, the rest of us (students) could look, from the doorway, if we were especially well behaved– and clean. They were particularly snotty about having it. Just like they knew what they were doing with it. It's probably in some guys attic under a half ton of unused and burned out Christmas decorations in Pittsburgh now.

  15. Gosh, I was so lucky by comparison. I went to Durham University (UK) to read Applied Physics and Chemistry in 1977, with an interest in electronic music. I discovered that the university had a small electronic music studio with two VCS3s and a brilliant technician and asked for permission to use it. After a short interview over coffee with (now Professor) Peter Manning, he generously gave me free access in the evenings.

    I contacted Peter Manning recently and I believe he reported that one VCS3 has only just been retired, while the other was refurbished and is still in use. Oh, and he also allowed the Electronic Music Society to have the VCS3 on display on their stand at Societies Day. No preciousness there – open access for those with a serious interest.

  16. Gosh, I was so lucky by comparison. I went to Durham University (UK) to read Applied Physics and Chemistry in 1977, with an interest in electronic music. I discovered that the university had a small electronic music studio with two VCS3s and a brilliant technician and asked for permission to use it. After a short interview over coffee with (now Professor) Peter Manning, he generously gave me free access in the evenings.

    I contacted Peter Manning recently and I believe he reported that one VCS3 has only just been retired, while the other was refurbished and is still in use. Oh, and he also allowed the Electronic Music Society to have a VCS3 on display on their stand at Societies Day. No preciousness there – open access for those with a serious interest.

  17. Micky Dolenz song with the Monkeys featuring the Moog– "Daily Nightly"

    It's on YouTube.

    Guess what– he's making flying saucer noises!

    Ok. You beat me to it.

  20. My friend Rich Dart plays drums w/ Micky these days. A while back asked if he had played on one of the first Pop tunes on a Moog. He said no,I think someone else did, I don't remember. So that you for sharing this. 😉

  21. Update: according to the University website, BOTH VCS3s are still operating and available to students. Plus their brilliant engineer, Ron Berry, is still there. Cheers Ron, I still owe you a beer!

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