Moog Music's latest creation is a supercharged Minimoog for the Rush icon Geddy Lee. Built to his custom specs, it's only exclusively available in the US right here on Reverb through Geddy Lee’s Official Reverb Shop.
The Moog Music Geddy Lee Minimoog Model D features all the rich, analog circuitry that made the Minimoog a household name, with some special additions. Top features include: a hot-rodded VCA circuit, dedicated LFO controls, modern MIDI integration, and a custom, satin red finish with metallic flecks that recalls the red stage instruments from Rush's Grace Under Pressure tour.
What makes the Geddy Lee Minimoog Model D special? Every unit comes with:
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A numbered Certificate of Authenticity, hand-signed by Geddy Lee
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An exclusive red translucent 10” Vinyl EP with iconic Rush tracks "Xanadu" and "Jacob’s Ladder"
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Special “Starman” badge on the synth's front and its back
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Exclusive Geddy Lee poster
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Satin red finish with metallic flecks
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Hot-rodded VCA circuit
“It really is a thrill for me to see this new signature release in that red color that is so representative of one of the most fertile periods in Rush's creative history.”
— Geddy Lee
Geddy's history with the Minimoog
"When I look back on the history of me playing a Minimoog," Geddy Lee tells us, "I think of those earliest days: dry ice, clouds floating onto the stage, and I'm standing there with just a set of Taurus pedals and a Model D in front of me, and we're about to break into the meat of 'Xanadu.'"
Ever since, the Model D became an integral part of Rush's sound. "Can you imagine 'Tom Sawyer' without that little break?" he asks. "The same thing could be said about 'Xanadu' and, of course, 'Subdivisions.' By then I was full-on keyboards. Those three songs, the Minimoog is pretty much part of the basic structure and you can't really hear those songs without that instrument."
The form-factor of the Model D—especially in an era of large-format modular systems—made it an easy choice for Geddy at the time, but to him, the instrument also made synthesis approachable, tactile, and easy to understand.
"You could get your head around it. You could learn about waveforms by just clicking the dial and blending them and playing with the modulation wheel. I think that's the legacy of the Model D, of the Minimoog: It's the fact that—not only does it sound sophisticated and have a fat sound—but it's not daunting to get your hands on," Geddy says.
The custom, satin red finish of the Geddy Lee Minimoog Model D is directly inspired from the band's red period, as seen on the Grace Under Pressure tour stages. Drummer Neil Peart kicked off the trend with a Candy Apple Red drum set. Guitarist Alex Lifeson's Hentor Sportscaster (recently reissued as the Lerxst Grace), Geddy's Minimoog, and more of the band's gear all got paintjobs to match.
"It really is a thrill for me to see this new signature release in that red color that is so representative of one of the most fertile periods in Rush's creative history," Geddy says.
"What's interesting about the journey to get these beautiful devices was replicating those automotive [paint] colors to the right degree," he says. "I'm thrilled with how they've turned out. They're just so beautiful."
More Moog Music signature models to come?
Moog Music is no stranger to limited runs with a long trail of custom editions from Moogfest and otherwise in the rearview mirror. But this Geddy Lee Minimoog is the first true artist edition in the company's history. Does this mean more artist runs to come? Given the treatment here—specifically the hot-rodded circuit—we sure hope so. What artist signature Moog would you be most excited about?
Watch our video above with Geddy Lee as he talks about the synth's development and shares stories of Rush's electronic adventures. Shop the Moog Music Geddy Lee Minimoog Model D now.