Claravox Centennial- known issues, bugs and quirks

I hate the fact that this thread has to exist but I thought we could have a place to discuss the problems with the Claravox Centennial.

We can also track the progress in getting issues resolved. 

It may help us avoid duplicating our efforts and maybe Moog tech support will benefit from that as well.

Let’s remember to not turn this into a Moog bashing thread.  I’m sure they want to put out a quality instrument even more than we want to play one. 

Let’s also post resolutions to the problems. 

Finally, as Jason has suggested, if your issue is with shipping, receiving, dealers etc. start a separate thread for that. 

I’ll have some things to contribute in that department as well since I ordered from Prymaxe. 

I’ll start:

I received serial #00132 on 8/09/21.

I ordered it on 10/12/20.

Yesterday, 8/10/21, it started having issues with the sound output.

The main output and headphone Jack were silent but the tuner output was still working. 

This leads me to believe there is a problem with the volume circuit or hardware.

I turned it off and removed and reinstalled the volume loop and it worked fine for about 45 minutes. 

Then it died again and nothing I did could bring it back. 

I took both antennae off and put them back on, I twiddled every knob, starting with the volume side and working my way round the front panel controls all to no avail.

I contacted Moog Tech Support late last night/early this morning and I’m waiting to hear from them.

Then, before I went to bed I fired it up once more and it worked fine. 

I hope this isn’t the norm for this instrument. 

I’ll start:I received serial #00132 on 8/09/21.I ordered it on 10/12/20.Yesterday, 8/10/21, it started having issues with the sound output.The main output and headphone Jack were silent but the tuner output was still working. This leads me to believe there is a problem with the volume circuit or hardware.I turned it off and removed and reinstalled the volume loop and it worked fine for about 45 minutes. Then it died again and nothing I did could bring it back. I took both antennae off and put them back on, I twiddled every knob, starting with the volume side and working my way round the front panel controls all to no avail.I contacted Moog Tech Support late last night/early this morning and I’m waiting to hear from them.Then, before I went to bed I fired it up once more and it worked fine. I hope this isn’t the norm for this instrument.

That’s interesting. I’ve not had this happen, fortunately. Does power cycling makes the problem go away, does it have to be turned off until the circuits cool down? 

Needless to say, Moog owes you a repair or replacement.

I’m not sure what brought it back to life but I’ll keep messing with it until I get a response from Moog.

I’ve got  a busy few days ahead of me so I’ll call them next week if they don’t respond to my email.

Here's a list of reportedly troubled Claravoxen so far:

Gilda Razani #8
tcordara #29, #34 (jumping pitch)
hudri #39
Gibarian #40
UROMASTYX #95
DiggyDog #132
johnthom #133

That's roughly 6% (that we know of).  If I were in the market I don't know what I'd do.  Early adopters usually take it on the nose in terms of bugs, but I don't believe Moog Inc. has been clear as to how many of these they'll actually manufacture - if only a short run, than effectively everyone is an early adopter.

[EDIT] Added UROMASTYX #95 and updated the percentage.

If I'm honest I'd say the list of confirmed issue-free claravoxen is shorter than what you just posted. Really shocking.

I heard back from Moog tech support.

Their response was in my spam folder.

They linked me to a pdf that explains how to tighten up the volume loop.

They also said if that doesn’t solve the issue I can send it in for repairs. 

Here is the response:

“There's an adjustment that you can make to the volume antenna that may resolve the issue, otherwise I would recommend that the Claravox come in for repair. In that event, we would cover shipping and repair costs. 

In some cases, the Claravox's volume antenna can lose contact with the chassis, causing volume dropouts. In other cases, an adjustment needs to be made to the inductors of the volume antenna, this needs to be performed at our service center. The below linked guide will walk you through the first adjustment. Let me know how the Claravox responds.

https://moogmusic1.sharepoint.com/:f:/s/service/EuTm6WK35bxKj4nDMBInnn0B7_a_c-jcb03QfjvT2jVbXw?e=MfiYxY

“

I’ll see if I can get to it this week but I’ve been busy since the pandemic shut down live event so it be traded my regular job for multiple side hustles. 

Turns out being unemployed is hard work. 

I’ve got unit #95 & am having similar problems. 

Overall volume was low from the get go...but it intermittently drops to being close to inaudible. This is an issue on both the main out & the headphone 

Modern mode is silent & I feel some of the filters & other pots aren’t responsive either but it’s hard to be sure as the volume issues may be influences on these issues. 

Pretty disappointed after such a long wait

Jon

I finally got around to opening up 00132 and checked the volume loop connections as instructed by Moog. 

Only one of them was loose it wasn’t very loose at all.

I guess I’ll be sending it in to them for repair.

What a joy this instrument has been so far!

After 4-5 Business days of hearing nothing back regarding my non-operational Claravox I asked my Sweetwater dealer about it who suggested I sent it back to them for evaluation & repair. Which I did. 

Moog emailed me back ten days after I initially contacted them with the same suggestion about recommended at home adjustments which I already tried. I answered the email saying as much as well as that in the absence of any contact from them I had already returned the unit to Sweetwater. This was 3-4 days ago & I have yet to receive an answer from this email. 

Today I inquired from Sweetwater as to the status of the evaluation & repair as it had been there for a 4 business days & I was curious at least if they had some idea as to the cause & was told they were intact not authorized to evaluate or repair Moog products as I was told beforehand & the unit would need to be forwarded to them & they were awaiting authorization from Moog to do so. 

It being Friday best case scenario Moog gets Sweetwater authorized to ship by Monday it gets back to Moog by the end of the week & ,depending on how backed up they are, evaluated the following week. 

Don’t know why I’m having such difficulties getting service on this.