Claravox Centennial Theremin - Post Your Thoughts Here

It will be very exciting if Moog has begun shipping the Claravox. So far, I haven’t heard a word from Prymaxe about the one I ordered (they have an excellent deal on them). 

I recently became interested in playing the theremin and already have a Burns B3 and then bought a Theremini. Of the two, I think I like the Burns best. While I wasn’t planning on getting another, when Prymaxe had a holiday special (20% off their listed price), I took the plunge. While both the Burns and the Theremini have their limitations, I’m REALLY excited about getting the Claravox. 

As a classically trained musician, I learned long ago that it’s always easier to learn on a quality instrument. While the Claravox is “expensive,” it’s very inexpensive when compared to orchestral instruments. I really can’t wait for it to be released! So far, I’ve heard nothing. 

Update from Moog:

Thank you for your patience and support as we approach production of your Claravox Centennial. As we near the end of the year, we’d like to update you on our progress from the Moog Factory and let you know what to expect next:

We are currently experiencing supply chain delays and will not be shipping Claravox Centennial during the month of December as we had hoped. We now expect production to begin in early 2021 and believe we can fulfill all preorders during the first half of the new year. In order to continue keeping communication open and transparent, we will be updating dealers with our progress so that they can inform you of the latest details for your instrument’s arrival. Please know that we are doing everything in our control to expedite this process while ensuring your instrument is built with care.

Thanks for the update. I’ve heard nothing from either Moog or the dealer. 

"I preordered the Claravox on Octover 23rd.  Today, the payment went out of my accounts.  I am excited as this may mean that it is (or very shortly) on it's way to Guitar Center from Moog! Thoughts?" - mountaineir

That Guitar Center went bankrupt and really, really needs your money?  (I kinda keed - good luck and I hope you enjoy the Claravox!)

Thanks for the update. I’ve heard nothing from either Moog or the dealer.

My dealer is the most customer-oriented of all: Ethermagic. Highly recommend to anyone in Europe or the surrounding area
Btw, maybe someone hasn’t seen the new Gregoire's video yet:
 

Humph.

So, after some rumblings from this forum and elsewhere, I had a conversation with Moog less than 2 weeks ago in regard to rumoured delays in production/distribution of the Claravox. They assured, that despite anything I may have heard, that they were on track to start shipping the Claravox before the end of the year to their distributors and that everything was just fine. I have that conversation recorded.

Then, this morning, I, too, received the standard email that we have all been getting...."Thank you for your patience and support as we....problems with supply chain...We now expect PRODUCTION to begin in early 2021 and believe that we can fulfil all preorders during the first half of the new year...etc".

First half of the new year.....they should just say, first half of the year.

Plus the money coming out of my accounts...

Disappointed.

So we are looking at sometime before the middle of June 2021.

I agree, mountaineir, it's extremely disappointing. I just ordered mine recently, just before the rumors began that there were delays. I contacted Moog and was told to contact my dealer for information. I did that and was told they didn't have any information. To date, other than this forum, I've heard nothing. How do I get on Moog's e-mail list regarding the Claravox? I'm registered on both their site and on their forum (it appears as if one must register separately for both. If it's going to be another six month before they are shipped, that's a very long time. I wonder how many have been ordered? Thanks for the update.

People are right to be disappointed, and Moog should be doing a better job with setting expectations. But ultimately the proof of the pudding is in the eating; if Moog delivers a product that lives up to the high expectations they've set (with a big assist by Gregoire Blanc) then soon no one will remember a delay of one or even six months.

The confused messaging and indeterminate timeline makes me wonder if they have discovered a design or manufacturing problem that they need to fix before the units go out. But that's just me reading tea leaves; even if true they are still doing the right thing by pushing back the timeline. Sometimes there's no really good way to convey bad news.

I received a message at 11th December 2020 from the mayor German distributor I preordered from, that they have asked Moog why they haven’t delivered the Claravox and its stand as planned yet. The answer was that the delivery probably may take place on 5th of March 2021.

From my experience, all series production starts with problems. Therefore, prototypes are built and pre-series or zero-series runs are performed to test production readiness and quality. This would have to be finished at least in October 2020 to run the production in November 2020 which is of course a tight time schedule (especially under pandemic conditions).

Is there not even a small amount of instruments shipped within the US in time yet?

Sweetwater actually called me on the phone and told me that mine will be going out at the beginning of February.