By popular demand, Moog Music has started offering 2 factory modifications for Etherwave theremins. One modification adds a red power LED so you can easily tell when your theremin is powered on. Interestingly, the original line of Etherwaves included a power LED, and I've always been curious why they removed it in later revs of the Etherwave.

The second modification adds a pitch preview feature that allows you to hear the sound from your Etherwave through headphones even when your volume hand is fully damping the sound. This is helpful for starting off on the right note at the beginning of a song or after rests.

Moog is also offering a modification for the early models in the Voyager synthesizer line to bring them up to match the specs of currently shipping units.

The modifications are available separately or together. As of this posting, the power LED mod costs $59 USD and the pitch preview mod goes for $179 USD. When purchased together, the 2 mods cost just $199 USD.

Both theremin mods have been listed in the Etherwave Hotrodding manual for quite some time, but there's just something nice about knowing they're being done and backed by the same experts at Moog Music.

Be sure to contact Moog Music for a return authorization before you send in your theremin! Find details on the whole process at Moog's factory mods page.

So how about it... are you going to send in your theremin for modifications? Have you already applied other mods?

Not for that kind of dough! I was surprised to see them making this offer, but now I know why. And that doesn't even include shipping.

A six-thousand dollar guitar, the possibility of a new Taurus Bass Pedal, and these $200 Etherwave mods...all in this tough economic time. I don't know what's in the water down there in Asheville, but somebody's sure got some kehonas.
Now, that's what you call staying positive! I wish them the best.

After Ethermusic 2k8, I ordered an ash Etherwave with the pitch preview mod. I like that it also has a seperate volume knob for the preview. That was a nice touch. Allthough, here lately, I've got to where I don't depend on preview as much, unless I'm going to perform with an orchestra, or doing a soundtrack professionally. I think the price for these mods is a bit steep though.

I don't like this supplementary volume knob squeezed between others on the front panel. Looks like a mother with three breasts...

The pricing: Even if I would ask "only" 140 US$ for both modifications, this would make a very good hourly fee!

BTW: Did you see that they ask US$ 20 just for the Etherwave manual?

They have become silly - I think my next theremin will not be a Moog!

They have been asking that for quite a while. The pdf version is free.

I picture a man behind a counter rolling his eyes and saying "Yes, sir, you can have a printed copy if you really insist, but there is an administrative charge, you know."

It sounds to me like "please stop asking us about those mods, we don't have time for you, but if you wanna waste your money..."

Remembers me when I worked one summer answering phones at an insurance company: 18 year old people asking for insurances for their sports bikes and meant an overpriced and discouraging fee.

I dunno...

They clearly don't have a replacement "Pro" machine to offer, that eliminates the wood cabinet supply issues that the original suffered... But I would buy a new one in a PVC case in a heartbeat-- if such a model were available.

As everyone here knows, unfortunately, they're not. :(

However, these Prefab Factory Mods allow current Standard users to painlessly improve their instruments; but not to the degree that it competes or replaces the need for a high end model... That's important to note, here.

So I kind of view this as a Moog "EtherWave Plus", with both mods installed. It creates a category of Theremin that's somewhere between a Standard & Pro...

I think most here sound like they're in agreement that the basic idea of providing upgrades is desirable, but the prices might need to be re-evaluated... $60 for a simple power LED seems a tad steep to me. *shrugs*

My thanks to Theremin World for letting me know these options exist for my instrument. :)

Well, if we're to delve into the differences between the Standard and Pro...

Pro: Easier to play, looks amazing
Standard: Looks okay, sounds way better, cheap

If you take the number of people who are likely to take up the Theremin as their main instrument, the quota for production of the Etherwave Pro was probably met long ago. But people may be willing to shell out £200 for something that looks cool onstage and provides them with a little personal project.

Moog doesn't need more products that are way beyond amateur and semi-pro musicians' financial reach, it needs to sell something cool that everyone can afford. Korg brought out the Microkorg a few years ago and essentially kickstarted a fad where everyone owned a proper synthesizer, because it was around the £200 mark, portable and cool to own.

If companies like this want mainstream success then they do have to take the focus off the professional demographic and their loyal cult following (us) and look at what a hobbyist (interpret this term liberally) musician with a wife and kids might buy. In those terms, and at this time, dropping the Pro and offering mods for the Standard is a good move.

Wow this is great.
And the pitch preview looks like the one Ryan at Moog first designed for me. I thought the mini-moog light knob fit in on the small face place was a stroke of genius. He really listened to my needs as a player, and my use of preview, and hope he's getting extra credit for this one.

At it's roots, Moog still values and listens to musicians, knowing they are struggling to survive in a country when small specialty industries as just not supported, really makes me value them as they continue to adjust to a post Bob world.
I cannot help but wonder if a mega corp like Roland Group owned them would we even have any theremins at all.
Jeese guys, consider any custome work these days, would you be able to do it for less at this level, would you pay just a few bucks and expect to get a solid, valuable and playable instrument?

omhage said:

'Jeese guys, consider any custome work these days, would you be able to do it for less at this level, would you pay just a few bucks and expect to get a solid, valuable and playable instrument?'

Well, if any Moog owners have done both of these 'Mods', we all would like to know what they really cost in USA dollars. I am guessing that RS, Moser, etc, and you exchanged some twenty greenbacks.
Just wondering...

Good Luck!

teslatheremin