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I actually wrote a Taurus review several years ago for this site or a similar one. I lost track of where it was saved and haven't been able to locate it since. Maybe it was date-sensitive or deleted. I thought to offer another essay since my recent forays into EBAY and other internet/web sites uncovered more Taurus info. Also, a local music store now carries newer Moog equipment and factory or manufacturer servicing may be available.
Having always been a big fan of cathedral pipe organ and progressive rock music, I was naturally drawn to the Moog Taurus bass pedals. I once performed with a touring chorale group at Liverpool Cathedral in the 1970s and am since an avid collector of the Willis organ recordings produced there (you should check out THOSE pedals!)
I am still a (part-time) professional from the Detroit-area and performed in various vocal and instrumental groups from the 1960s to today. Some of my fellow musicians and I were HUGE ‘70s Genesis fans! We played some of their tunes live and attended several concerts during and following the reign of Peter Gabriel. To me, there is almost nothing as musically powerful and exciting as Mellotron/Taurus recordings! We also enjoyed other live concerts featuring the Taurus including Steve Hackett, UK, Yes, Rush, and Max Webster.
During initial rehearsals for one of my earlier bands, an acquaintance from another group had a Taurus I pedal unit available. His name escapes me, but he played the pedals, a Rickenbacker bass, and coincidentally resembled Chris Squire of YES fame. I was primarily a bassist as well and had some limited ability to double on vocals or other instruments. I borrowed his Taurus and worked them into our repertoire of mostly rock power-trio stuff. Not long after our gigs began, the Taurus owner needed them back as his new group was beginning rehearsals for recording and touring. I do vividly remember they were called “Art in America�. Their band featured an electric harpist and produced a late '70s or early ‘80s release and an MTV video.
After returning his Taurus (which had a very bad intonation or oscillator problem), I had to scramble to find another set! This was late 1978 and Moog Taurus pedals were not very common or even readily available in Detroit. I managed to contact Norlin HQ, but they had a backorder waiting list of over two months! I was pretty broke at the time, but managed enough of a loan for pedals from somewhere. I contacted world-famous Manny’s Music in New York City and they had three Taurus in stock! THAT whole trip and ordeal is a story for another day! I bought the Taurus and returned home.
I continued to perform all over Michigan and Southern Ontario, Canada for many years. Although I was and continue to be primarily a bassist, I doubled on keyboards with Taurus, Mellotron, Korg, Peavey, and other equipment. Playing the Moog and Mellotron together live was a fantastic experience that I will always treasure!
Over 15 years ago, my Mellotron 400 got terribly damaged during an equipment move and needed serious repairs. I stopped playing the Mellotron and eventually replaced it with more modern keyboards. Some years later, I loaned it to a fellow musician who almost disappeared with it. I managed to get my Mellotron back just in time (you should have seen the place I rescued it from!) and then reluctantly sold it to a friend who could give it a new home. He repaired the old “white elephant� and now uses it in his excellent home studio here in southeast Michigan!
Sorry about the long story, but I am still the proud owner of those very same Taurus I pedals and played them for many years as a stand-alone unit or in conjunction with those other keyboards. However, in the early to mid ‘90s, I began experiencing problems with their intonation and pedal contacts. I read from other users that more solder points could allow for better circuit contacts. The intonation seems to be a common problem, one that doesn't appear to have a solid repair solution. I’m not sure who can service my Taurus locally, but the Moog factory or tech center may be able to help as suggested by that local music store. Unfortunately, I have been playing blues and R&B most of the past 8 or 9 years and haven’t needed the Taurus anyway. But, I’m looking forward to repairing my Taurus and hooking up those thunderous pedals again to a real nice PA and rock the house like I did those many years ago!
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