The Bob Moog Foundation has announced its spring raffle for a vintage Moog Liberation synthesizer. The raffle, a fundraiser in support of the Foundation's projects, runs through April 20 or until all 2,000 tickets are sold. Tickets are $20 each and can be purchased through the Foundation's website. The winner will be announced on April 24. Also included in the raffle is an original owner's manual for the Liberation, written by Rock Wehrmann in 1980.
The Moog Liberation is distinctive in its form and function as a keytar, or guitar-shaped synthesizer. It was one of the first of its kind when released in 1980, and provided freedom to move around stage while playing. The Liberation was quickly adopted by such bands as Devo, the Human League, Jean Michel Jarre, Tom Coster of Santana, Herbie Hancock, Spyro Gyra and more.
The Liberation is a strap-on, dual oscillator, monophonic/polyphonic analog synthesizer with one voltage controlled 24dB/octave Moog filter (VCF) and one voltage controlled amplifier (VCA). It boasts a polyphonic section, which allows for synth-like chords, a ring modulator, noise generator, syncable VCOs and a ribbon controller, located in the neck portion of the instrument.
"The Moog Liberation has a special significance to the Bob Moog Foundation, remarks executive director Michelle Moog-Koussa. "Through our archives, we are the proud stewards of the Liberation prototype, a host of fascinating schematics, and a variety of conceptual drawings. The raffle will be a springboard for us to share other historic materials regarding this intriguing instrument."
The instrument being offered is in excellent technical condition. It has been meticulously restored by the highly regarded restoration studio, Tone Tweakers. There are minor exterior flaws comprised mostly of minor chips in the paint as a badge of its vintage status.
The Liberation raffle follows the Foundation's successful fall 2014 raffle of a vintage Minimoog Model D, won by Danny Hagan of Statesboro, GA. Funding raised from the Foundation's raffles supports its innovative educational project, Dr. Bob's SoundSchool, and the organization's Archive Preservation Initiative.
For more information, visit moogfoundation.org.
