Any other Moog Taurus owners here?

**superdick2112** · #1 12-10-2010, 02:30 PM

Here is one of my favorite low end monsters.

Even though I only play them on a few songs, the sound, audience reaction and sheer low end of my Moog Taurus III bass pedals makes them one of my favorite "basses".

Does anyone else here play Taurus bass pedals? Do you use yours mainly for covers or originals? Low end sonics or soaring strings & lead patches? Chime in & share your Taurus experiences.

ModuMan · #2 12-10-2010, 03:22 PM

I can only share my jealousy, that is awesome!

When I saw (and heard) the Police reunion Sting was using them and it was wonderful.

SactoBass · #3 12-10-2010, 03:26 PM

Very cool!

I had a set of the Taurus One's back in the 70's. About ten years ago, I was in a YES tribute band, and I had a Roland PK5 (set of MIDI bass pedals...one octave set just like the Taurus) and a sound module that generated big deep thick ultra low notes like you hear Squire play at Yes concerts. It sounded awesome! It required lots of wattage (3200 watts) into a pair of custom made subs, each the size of a washing machine, loaded with McCauley 6174's. It shook the bowels of hell!! I loved stepping on those!!!!

Fretless5verfan · #4 12-10-2010, 03:51 PM

I've been serious contemplating one of these...

They seem so awesome, but I highly doubt I'd use them enough to fully warrant the $2k+ price tag.

Folmeister · #5 12-10-2010, 04:30 PM

I played the heck out of a set of Taurus IIs in the 80s. I would LOVE to have T3s, but there is not a lot of call for that sound in country these days! Congrats!

stringzz · #6 12-10-2010, 05:31 PM

Very nice, I saw one of those a few months back at a metal show, and I was intrigued and looked it up. Man I would love to own one of those!

Bard2dbone · #7 12-11-2010, 12:53 AM

I was mildly shocked at the $2k mention. I had a set for a few months back in '90 or '91. I think I payed about $150 for them. Nobody valued them back then. I got mine from someone who had had them sitting around in his music room since the early '80's

I loved them for a few weeks and got bored. They made a HUGE low end sound. But it's one of those things that a little goes a long way.

I do miss that enormous blooming low drone under my bass sometimes. But nowadays I'm playing covers with three other old men, and not originals with three other young men. SO it's a different world. That huge bottom wouldn't be nearly as useful in this context.

**superdick2112** · #8 12-11-2010, 06:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bard2dbone

I was mildly shocked at the $2k mention. I had a set for a few months back in '90 or '91. I think I payed about $150 for them. Nobody valued them back then.

I also owned a set of the originals back around '87 - '88, purchased from Kip Winger for $500. Kip had just come off the road as the bassist for Alice Cooper, and was clearing out some of his lesser-used gear, and I came across his Taurus ad in the Rocky Mountain News. I played them for about two years, and sold them for about what I'd paid for them. I began to really miss them, and after owning (and being very dissappointed with) a set of Taurus-2s, I started to search for another set of originals...

Flash forward to 2008 - I'm looking for a set of Taurus 1s (the Taurus 2s did not have "The Sound"), and prices were in the 3 - 4K range! Moog Music had a poll on their website to see if there was enough interest to warrant building a limited run of new Taurus, using the original sound engine design, but with modern features like MIDI, programmability and even an arpeggiator, and the response was overwhelming.

Moog announced they would design & build the new Taurus if enough people placed deposits, and I ordered mine that same day. Almost 2 years later, I'm the proud owner of T-3 # 0028, and because I was an early adopter, I recieved a $500 discount. With the release of the Taurus-3, prices for the originals dropped back down to the 1.5 - 2.5k range. I'll never make the mistake of selling these - they are the King of Pedal Synthesizers, and are simply incredible!

xring · #9 12-11-2010, 07:27 AM

I was (still am) a huge Rush fan, and I played these since around '78. These and a 4001 went a long way. I'd love to have another set. I had no idea they were back. My budget is in trouble.

Joeykun · #10 12-11-2010, 07:34 AM

I had Taurus II's back in the 80's. I now use the Roland PK-5.

Lately I just use a Roland XV-5080 with the PK-5. But, love the Taurus III!! You said it...it's a monster!

**superdick2112** · #11 12-11-2010, 08:12 AM

Joeykun, your keyboard rig looks kind of familiar...

clickable

Joeykun · #12 12-11-2010, 08:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by superdick2112

Joeykun, your keyboard rig looks kind of familiar...

clickable

Sweet. I love the P'08 just has issues with the encoders but the sounds are great!!!
How do you like the little Phatty?? I heard mixed reviews. I had the Moog Source back
in the 80's as well that I would trigger with the Taurus II.

Love the analog stuff!! I tried some of the modeling units but they sound thin compared to the real deal!

**superdick2112** · #13 12-11-2010, 09:01 AM

The Moog Voyager I had & sold was far more powerful, but the Phatty has a beefy low end, great feeling wheels & controls, and at half the size & weight of a Voyager, it is a far more practical gigging instrument.

The Prophet does indeed have some killer sounds, and if I ever do start having encoder issues, I plan on sending it into Dave Smith for the potentiometer conversion.

And lastly, Yes - nothing sounds like real analog. I have a Roland JP-8000 analog modelling synth, and while I value it for it's ease of programming, it's light weight and it's tuning stability, it can't come close to the Phatty for bass or the Prophet for wicked filter sweeps.

Digital control of analog sound rocks! Its the best of both worlds.

Stick_Player · #14 12-11-2010, 09:17 AM

I have the T3s. They do cost $2K.

None of the imitators come close.

One does need a system to fully 'appreciate' their sound - massive.

I believe the run is capped at 1000, and that No. 952 is the highest one registered on the T3 site. Might be a few more "NEW" instruments available.

Ask Santa.

**superdick2112** · #15 12-11-2010, 09:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stick_Player

I have the T3s. They do cost $2K.

None of the imitators come close.

Might be a few more "NEW" instruments available.

Ask Santa.

I purchased mine directly from Moog (no longer an option), but Nova Musik sells a Taurus bundle - a great value that includes the factory dust cover, 3 expression pedals, a Moog video and other assorted goodies. Oh, and I also bought the factory road case - a must-have if you plan on gigging with your Taurus.

Since Santa helped fund my T-3 a few years ago, I do believe she may be in for a pair of diamond earrings, or even a diamond tennis bracelet on the 25th...

ZuluFunk · #16 12-15-2010, 04:14 AM

I have the Taurus II. Although not as "stage ready" it does the job if you know what you're doing. It generates plenty LOW...lower that a normal cab will cover. A PK-5A would be a lighter and more flexible option, but I'm not a pro with midi stuff. Maybe I can get a lesson somewhere.

metron · #17 12-15-2010, 01:54 PM

I was so close to buying T3s but bought other Moog stuff instead. I still want a set though. Jealous over here!

Hey I just noticed you are down in the Ranch, not too far from Green Mountain. Maybe sometime we can have a bass/Moogfest!

plangentmusic · #18 12-15-2010, 01:57 PM

I have a software patch that gives me an authentic Taurus pedal sound. Does that count?

**superdick2112** · #19 12-15-2010, 10:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by metron

I was so close to buying T3s but bought other Moog stuff instead. I still want a set though. Jealous over here!

Hey I just noticed you are down in the Ranch, not too far from Green Mountain. Maybe sometime we can have a bass/Moogfest!

Metron, a bass/Moogfest sounds like a winner!
Ever been to Wildwood guitars up in Louisville? Fantastic store, even if they do carry far more guitars than basses. I was there this morning & made the mistake of bringing my wallet with me - came home with this... Doh!

btw, your "crate monster" avatar rocks - Creepshow 1 and 2 are both great movies, and, f.y.i., the "something to tide you over" skit in Creepshow 1 is heavy with Taurus bass in the soundtrack.

metron · #20 12-16-2010, 08:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by superdick2112

Metron, a bass/Moogfest sounds like a winner!
Ever been to Wildwood guitars up in Louisville? Fantastic store, even if they do carry far more guitars than basses. I was there this morning & made the mistake of bringing my wallet with me - came home with this... Doh!

btw, your "crate monster" avatar rocks - Creepshow 1 and 2 are both great movies, and, f.y.i., the "something to tide you over" skit in Creepshow 1 is heavy with Taurus bass in the soundtrack.

Thanks! I think half the tracks on Creepshow are Moog something or other, probably mostly Taurus. That movie is one of my all time favorites and of course Fluffy is very dear to my heart.

One should never underestimate a 2 1/2 foot tall abominable snow monster.

I haven't been up to Wildwood yet but I have heard from a few people that it's pretty nice. Can't see the link because I'm at work

but congrats on the purchase!

Great now Im gassing for Taurus pedals so I can cop some Creepshow tracks.