Bob Moog Foundation to present Emerson modular reissue at NAMM

The Bob Moog Foundation will bring one of the newly reissued Keith Emerson Moog Modular Systems to NAMM 2026 in Anaheim, offering hands-on demonstrations and a TEC Tracks panel that highlight Emerson’s legacy and modular design. The instrument, on loan from Orange Coast Modular and valued at about $150,000, is one of five reissue rigs that recreate the original massive modular setups Emerson used on stage.

Attendees can see the reissue at the Foundation’s booth, 10604, where scheduled demonstration performers include Lisa Bella Donna, Andrew Colyer with Robert Berry, and Rachel Flowers. Brian Kehew, synth historian and a co-developer of the reissue, is also scheduled to appear and will provide technical insight into how the instrument was reconstructed. The live demos promise a rare opportunity to hear an original-style modular voice played in a modern setting and to observe classic patching approaches up close.

The Foundation will also host a TEC Tracks panel titled "Honoring the Legacy of Keith Emerson" with panelists Steve Porcaro of Toto, Emerson’s fiancée Mari Kawaguchi, Rachel Flowers, Brian Kehew, and former Moog engineer Rich Walborn. Michelle Moog-Koussa will moderate the session, which is scheduled for Friday, January 23 in Hilton California B during NAMM. The panel offers a focused look at Emerson’s influence on synthesizer performance, the technical challenges of rebuilding historic rigs, and the cultural impact of large-format modular synthesis in rock and progressive music.

For the synth community this appearance matters on several levels. First, it puts a high-fidelity reconstruction in public view, letting players inspect wiring, panel layouts, and signal flow that are often only seen in archival photos. Second, the lineup of performers and developers bridges historical knowledge with live technique, useful for anyone researching authentic Emerson-era patches or for players chasing specific tonal fingerprints. Finally, the Foundation’s involvement and the $150,000 valuation underline the cost and craft behind faithful reissues, a useful benchmark for collectors and builders tracking supply, parts sourcing, and restoration standards.

If you plan to see the rig, map out booth 10604 and the Hilton California B panel on your NAMM itinerary early; these sessions will draw crowds, and close-up time with the modular may be limited. The takeaway? Treat this as both a listening session and a masterclass in old-school patching: arrive early, take notes on signal flow and panel labeling, and use the chance to ask the people who rebuilt it about modules, mods, and maintenance.