Synthesizer IIIp
1968 - Series: IIIp + dual sequencers
Asking Price $68,500 *
Perhaps as important as Edison’s lightbulb, which changed the way we see our world, Robert Moog and his Moog Synthesizer changed what we hear when we listen to music today.
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That’s why this particular Series IIIp Moog is so valuable.
It was there in the beginning – either #2 or #3 of the portable synths built by Robert Moog in his small Trumensburg, NY factory having a release date of
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March 15.1968
The Revolutionary Instrument that changed the sound of music
This unit is comprised of 3 portable cabinets housing the classic 901 oscillators, various filters, and envelope generators plus a 4th cabinet containing dual sequencers. Two keyboards and a ribbon controller are part of the package along with instrument documentation.
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Anyone familiar with vintage synthesizers will appreciate the significance of this unique instrument.
Originally owned by Paul Beaver, West Coast rep. for the Moog Synthesizer Company, this very synthesizer was used extensively in recording sessions for both film and record albums. Paul Beaver discography.
Bob Moog made the synthesizer – Paul Beaver made it known to the world
Second Owner - Phil Davis (Owner 1969 - 2006)
MOOG SYNTHESIZER IIIp + Dual Sequencers
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I thought a collector might be interested in owning one of the first IIIp that Moog shipped from the Trumansburg factory to Paul Beaver in 1968. It comes with a lot of history. This is the synthesizer that Paul and Bernie used on many of their early recordings and I played in stage productions of "Tommy", "Jesus Christ Superstar", and "Sgt. Pepper".
Here's the story of how I acquired it back in 1970:
I was 18 at the time I worked for Paul Beaver, a studio musician in Hollywood. One of my jobs was to move and setup the various instruments he would rent to studios in Hollywood for recording sessions. He had Novachords, harpsichords, clavinets… but of primary interest was his MOOG SYNTHESIZER.
Back at the warehouse, in my spare time, I was able to experiment with the synthesizer and learn how it worked. Paul was the West Coast rep for the Moog company and instrumental in letting Hollywood know about this new machine. As new equipment came in from the Moog factory, Paul would sell the earlier model to make room for the new.
Paul convinced me that I should own my own synthesizer and start doing recording sessions myself. That sounded logical so I took the leap and bought this IIIp. I thought I would instantly start getting gigs and become famous. Didn’t exactly work that way but over time I did start to get a few paying jobs.
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DON PRESTON from the Mothers of Invention & RAW MILK
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I guess my big break came in live performance including the stage productions of "Tommy" at the Aquarius Theater in LA, "Jesus Christ Superstar" at the Universal Amphitheater, "Sgt. Pepper" on Broadway, "Gil Evans Jazz Group" - European tour, "America on Parade" at Disneyland… (my synthesizer was the one Paul played on "The Electrical Light Parade" - I was the recording engineer for that), lots of work with Basil Poledouris, on and on….
The fact that Moog's IIIp was an innovative, revolutionary instrument that helped to change the course of electronic music, made it irresistible to me. Moog changed the course of electronic music and changed my life at the same time. That was 52 years ago.
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One last comment…. I'm excited to see that there is so much interest in the Moog Synthesizer and that there are so many people who truly appreciate its importance in the birth of a new form of music.
Phil Davis
Current Owner - Jeff Hall
Phil Davis is working with Jeff Hall to find a new home for the Moog IIIp. Contact Phil Davis for more details.