EMI TG12345 MK IV. The console that Pink Floyd used to record ‘The Dark Side of the Moon’ in 1972 at Abbey Road Studios. Photo credit Mike Ross.
 
Only two of these custom EMI TG12345 MK IV consoles were ever made and according to former Abbey Road engineer Brian Gibson—long considered to be one of the foremost authorities in the world on such things—this particular console is the “greatest to ever be constructed.”

This particular EMI TG12345 MK IV was in use for over a decade in Studio 2 at the world-renowned Abbey Road Studio. The mythical studio that has stood on 3 Abbey Road, St John’s Wood, City of Westminster, London, England since 1931 has recorded notable bands from The Beatles to The Buzzcocks during its long history. When it comes to the history of this console, it is as rich as the studio it occupied during its heyday. Though it was used by other prestigious artists such as Paul McCartney and Wings, George Harrison, Kate Bush and later on by The Cure—as the title of this post indicates—the most noteworthy piece of musical history created with the help of this console was Pink Floyd’s 1973 mind-bender The Dark Side of the Moon. Whoah.

The mother of all consoles is in full working order and will hit the auction block on March 27th for a yet-to-be-disclosed opening bid. More details and images of the magical console can be seen on the official site for the prestigious auction house Bonhams.
 

This early footage of the group performing “Interstellar Overdrive” (from Granada TV’s ‘Scene’ program–an episode called “Underground”) was posted recently at Pink Floyd’s YouTube channel. It was shot at London’s legendary UFO Club on January 27, 1967
 
HT: Goldmine

Previously on Dangerous Minds:
Watch Pink Floyd make an early appearance on American television, 1967
Shine On You Shitty Diamond: Worst Pink Floyd Cover Band. Ever.
Pink Floyd’s ‘Dark Side of the Moon’ comic book tour program