Anyone within traveling distance of the Bog Moog Foundation’s Moogseum in Asheville, NC, is in for a treat on the third weekend in November.
The Foundation has announced a weekend-long exhibit of four Minimoog prototypes, showing 14-16 November 2025.
The four prototypes are of the Minimoog Model A, Minimoog Model B, Minimoog Model C and Minimoog Model D.
The Minimoog, first released in 1970, is widely regarded as one of the most iconic analog synthesizers of all times. With its robust sound, elegant interface, and roadworthy build, the Minimoog went on to sell 12,269 units between 1970-1982. It’s early adopters spanned genres and included Mother Mallard’s Portable Masterpiece, Sun Ra, Dick Hyman, Rick Wakeman (Yes), Herbie Hancock, Stevie Wonder, Geddy Lee (Rush), Keith Emerson (Emerson, Lake and Palmer), Chick Corea, Bernie Worell (Parliament Funkadelic) Jan Hammer, George Duke, Billy Joel, Manfredd Mann, Paul and Linda McCartney, Gary Numan, Kraftwerk, and many others.
The Minimoog began in 1969 as the “Min A”, a five-module unit created by R.A. Moog Co. engineer, Bill Hemsath to provide easy demonstrations for the larger famed Moog modular systems.
The portability of the unit generated such appeal that Hemsath, along with fellow engineers Jim Scott and Chad Hunt, created the Model B prototype, which used circuit boards from the modular, housed under an integrated front panel designed by Hemsath. It included three identical oscillator sections; noise, filter, and master tuning sections; amplitude and filter contour controls, as well as a front-mounted power switch, and it came with a fitted lid with a handle that clipped on the top of the synthesizer for ease of portability.
The Model C prototype was the first prototype to replace existing circuits from the modulars with new circuit designs which were simplified and adapted for the portable system. Its panel design shows significant evidence of Bob Moog’s involvement as he added the all-important rocker switches, among other aspects, as well as specifying the cabinet with its signature fold-down panel, to enhance portability.
The Model D prototype had a few cosmetic tweaks to the front panel design to ready it for production, and design progressed to printed circuit boards with copper traces that could be mass produced. The A440 tuning reference replaced the momentary pushbutton with a rocker switch. Wood trim was added to the top of the control panel, and most importantly, the left hand controller sliders were replaced with wheels per Bob’s instruction, which allowed for more human nuance.
Tickets can be bought here.
