sweetbeats
Reel deep thoughts...
This thread is an homage to...
Otto "I'm a Stephens freak" Fajen...
Otto "I'm a Stephens freak" Fajen...
Blue Jinn
Rider of the ARPocalypse
That's painful. And the ad suggests it was something of an "estate sale find..."
BTW Dave Kean is the same guy who brought the Mellotron back from the ashes of Mellotron Digital in the very late 1980s
You can buy a brand new Mellotron, for probably less what they cost in 1974 adjusted for inflation.
BTW Dave Kean is the same guy who brought the Mellotron back from the ashes of Mellotron Digital in the very late 1980s
You can buy a brand new Mellotron, for probably less what they cost in 1974 adjusted for inflation.
sweetbeats
Reel deep thoughts...
Oh I KNOW...!
I struggle to resist the temptation to idolize a piece of gear but my GOODNESS that is a rare treasure!
What really struck me from the listing detail is the statement that "The console was saved from the trash by Doug Messenger..."
I'm going to copy and paste the text and pics from the listing here since the listing will go away at some point...
sweetbeats
Reel deep thoughts...
The listing detail...
Here is the text copied from the listing
"First, if anyone is seriously interested in this console please call or email me directly - there is simply too much information I know about this console to type it all in an ebay listing. John Stephens made approximately seven of these consoles any only two are known to still exist. This is NOT a Stevenson console, do not be confused, this was handmade by John Stephens of Stephens Electronics in Burbank, CA. David Kean at the Audities Foundation has a larger one (48 input channels) and I have the other (24 input channels). The last photo is of the Stephens 2416 console owned by David Kean/Audities installed in the 1970's at Premore Studios in North Hollywood. Mine was never installed but was obtained by David Kean from the estate of John Stephens when he passed away several years ago. The console was saved from the trash by Doug Messenger @ harddrive studios in LA (who owns the Stephens 821B used to record Pink Floyd's "The Wall") when Premore Inc closed its doors after the death of Leo Hulseman of Solo Cup Company (who originally commissioned the consoles from John Stephens for an excess of $70,000 in the early 1970's). When John Stephens was still alive he bought the console back from Doug Messenger and it sat unused in his workspace until he passed away.
Console features:
Portable (Less than 100 lbs) - Main Section is in a road case that measures 49"x29"x6", Master/Monitor section is in a case that measures 25"x17"x6". Both cases can be carried by one person.
All discrete point to point circuitry using the same proprietary 618/620 amplifiers used in the 821B tape machines.
100% hand made and built by John Stephens himself.
Center/Main Section:
-24 Microphone preamps with UTC ouncer input transformers and direct outputs to TT patchbay
-24 Line inputs
-18 Busses (10 primary, 8 secondary). Unique sealed flip switches for quick buss assignment.
-2 Sub Master Groups
-2 band passive inductor based EQ on all input channels with Stephens 621 makeup amplifier.
-Two large inductors for each channel. All eq controls are gold plated stepped switches.
-High eq selectable: 10K, 5K, 3.5K, 1.5K, .88K.
-Low Eq selectable: 50, 100, 200, 300, 500.
-EQ in/out switch, Solo switch. Channel On/Off Switch
-600 ohm P&G faders (primary outputs), Allen Bradley pots (secondary outputs/master/group outputs)
and more...depending on how you configure the console.
Master/Monitor Section:
-16 Subgroups
-12 Master Outs
-3 Headphone Outputs with 16 inputs on each for custom headphone mixes
General Specifications:
High level impedance: 2K ohms
Low level impedance: 150 ohms
Outputs capable of operating into 600 ohm load or higher
Board Output level: +4dbm, maximum output level +23 dbm, into 600 ohm load
Noise level under normal operating conditions better than -70db
Frequency response +/- .5db at 20Hz to 20KHz
Intermodulation distortion: less than 1% at +20dbm
Harmonic Distortion: less than .5% at +20dbm
I am currently only using the main section, which by itself is a complete 24x2x16 mixer (24 mic inputs w/direct outs, 24 line inputs, 8 primary outputs, 8 secondary outputs, 2 subgroup outputs/master outs). The master/monitor section is useful if you want to use it as a master section, create headphone submixes or alternate mixes to different speaker sets, sends, and so on - it could also be used as a standalone 16x12 channel line submixer. Some features have not been implemented that could be implemented if you need them, please call me to discuss. The console has been in use in my studio for three years. I've restored the console completely with new audio grade high temperature, low esr capacitors and have made it 100% functional despite limited documentation. The company that made the first set of fader panels for me did a bad job and I will cover the cost of new fader panels to be made with the sale of the console.
Whomever buys this console should be willing to learn about the console design and have basic technical knowledge or capability. Since the console is essentially one of a kind I want to make sure the future owner knows how it is built. I am willing to deliver and install the console in your studio anywhere in the world for the cost of travel. I will include the smaller 3M 16 channel VU panel and the original, and larger, Stephens 16 channel VU panel with large Modutec VU meters. I also have many spare 618 amplifier modules, rare schematics, and documents including the console specs. I am currently using a large 10A regulated HP power supply which supplies the 618 modules with -38V for tons of headroom. I had new aluminum EQ frequency select knobs made since the original plastic ones were old and breaking. As you can see from the photos some of the gold switch caps are missing - but I don't know where to get replacements.
As one would expect the sound is hifi, pure, and second to none - anyone that has heard his tape machines knows that nothing compares to the sound of a Stephens. One of the great pioneers of recording technology, John Stephens was a genius and rarely gets the credit he deserves for the beautiful recorders and consoles he designed. A master of simplicity John Stephens was able to make a discrete 24 channel console, with 18 busses and a versatile monitor section weigh under 100 lbs. Every other console with this build quality easily weighs 300-800 lbs and has a huge footprint. The sound is on par with the early Quad Eight / Electrodyne consoles but the design of the Stephens is much more elegant and really a work of art. The 1/2" metal plate the console is designed around also serves as the ground plane so there are never any problems with noise. The amplifier response is flat from 20-20K and the EQ is musical at all settings. The only console IMO that sounds as good as the Stephens console, with regard to musicality and purity of sound are the early Quad Eight consoles - but those typically weigh hundreds of pounds and a 16 track, 8 buss version would easily be 8 feet wide and impossible to move around. The Stephens can fit in the back seat of a medium size car and would be perfect for someone with a small recording space or requires something portable without sacrificing fidelity. All the wiring on the console was originally done with silver plated teflon insulated wiring and all the inputs and outputs run to four connectors on the side of the console for quick and easy setup. The console can easily be set up for recording in 5-10 minutes.
I have a mother that needs care and can't justify keeping this console if someone out there is willing to pay what it is worth. Compare this console to the cost of a discrete/inductor based vintage API/Neve/Quad Eight/Electrodyne and you know this is a bargain! I might consider selling my 811D Stephens 2" 16 track along with the console if the right buyer is out there. Please, questions and inquiries from serious buyers only - I have limited time and simply can not respond to casual inquiries. Please call 503-437-6281 with any questions or offers since currently I have limited internet access.
The console is located in Portland, OR and delivery or pickup anywhere on the west coast can be arranged. Because of its light weight the console could be shipped to anywhere in the world for a reasonable amount - although I would prefer local pickup or dropoff so that I could go through all the documentation with you, and explain the console design in person. Please check my recent feedback - including the sale of my vintage EMI sidecar which sold to Japan - and bid with confidence!"
And it is listed as a Buy-It-Now at $32,000USD Or Best Offer.
Pics from the listing:
Here is the text copied from the listing
"First, if anyone is seriously interested in this console please call or email me directly - there is simply too much information I know about this console to type it all in an ebay listing. John Stephens made approximately seven of these consoles any only two are known to still exist. This is NOT a Stevenson console, do not be confused, this was handmade by John Stephens of Stephens Electronics in Burbank, CA. David Kean at the Audities Foundation has a larger one (48 input channels) and I have the other (24 input channels). The last photo is of the Stephens 2416 console owned by David Kean/Audities installed in the 1970's at Premore Studios in North Hollywood. Mine was never installed but was obtained by David Kean from the estate of John Stephens when he passed away several years ago. The console was saved from the trash by Doug Messenger @ harddrive studios in LA (who owns the Stephens 821B used to record Pink Floyd's "The Wall") when Premore Inc closed its doors after the death of Leo Hulseman of Solo Cup Company (who originally commissioned the consoles from John Stephens for an excess of $70,000 in the early 1970's). When John Stephens was still alive he bought the console back from Doug Messenger and it sat unused in his workspace until he passed away.
Console features:
Portable (Less than 100 lbs) - Main Section is in a road case that measures 49"x29"x6", Master/Monitor section is in a case that measures 25"x17"x6". Both cases can be carried by one person.
All discrete point to point circuitry using the same proprietary 618/620 amplifiers used in the 821B tape machines.
100% hand made and built by John Stephens himself.
Center/Main Section:
-24 Microphone preamps with UTC ouncer input transformers and direct outputs to TT patchbay
-24 Line inputs
-18 Busses (10 primary, 8 secondary). Unique sealed flip switches for quick buss assignment.
-2 Sub Master Groups
-2 band passive inductor based EQ on all input channels with Stephens 621 makeup amplifier.
-Two large inductors for each channel. All eq controls are gold plated stepped switches.
-High eq selectable: 10K, 5K, 3.5K, 1.5K, .88K.
-Low Eq selectable: 50, 100, 200, 300, 500.
-EQ in/out switch, Solo switch. Channel On/Off Switch
-600 ohm P&G faders (primary outputs), Allen Bradley pots (secondary outputs/master/group outputs)
and more...depending on how you configure the console.
Master/Monitor Section:
-16 Subgroups
-12 Master Outs
-3 Headphone Outputs with 16 inputs on each for custom headphone mixes
General Specifications:
High level impedance: 2K ohms
Low level impedance: 150 ohms
Outputs capable of operating into 600 ohm load or higher
Board Output level: +4dbm, maximum output level +23 dbm, into 600 ohm load
Noise level under normal operating conditions better than -70db
Frequency response +/- .5db at 20Hz to 20KHz
Intermodulation distortion: less than 1% at +20dbm
Harmonic Distortion: less than .5% at +20dbm
I am currently only using the main section, which by itself is a complete 24x2x16 mixer (24 mic inputs w/direct outs, 24 line inputs, 8 primary outputs, 8 secondary outputs, 2 subgroup outputs/master outs). The master/monitor section is useful if you want to use it as a master section, create headphone submixes or alternate mixes to different speaker sets, sends, and so on - it could also be used as a standalone 16x12 channel line submixer. Some features have not been implemented that could be implemented if you need them, please call me to discuss. The console has been in use in my studio for three years. I've restored the console completely with new audio grade high temperature, low esr capacitors and have made it 100% functional despite limited documentation. The company that made the first set of fader panels for me did a bad job and I will cover the cost of new fader panels to be made with the sale of the console.
Whomever buys this console should be willing to learn about the console design and have basic technical knowledge or capability. Since the console is essentially one of a kind I want to make sure the future owner knows how it is built. I am willing to deliver and install the console in your studio anywhere in the world for the cost of travel. I will include the smaller 3M 16 channel VU panel and the original, and larger, Stephens 16 channel VU panel with large Modutec VU meters. I also have many spare 618 amplifier modules, rare schematics, and documents including the console specs. I am currently using a large 10A regulated HP power supply which supplies the 618 modules with -38V for tons of headroom. I had new aluminum EQ frequency select knobs made since the original plastic ones were old and breaking. As you can see from the photos some of the gold switch caps are missing - but I don't know where to get replacements.
As one would expect the sound is hifi, pure, and second to none - anyone that has heard his tape machines knows that nothing compares to the sound of a Stephens. One of the great pioneers of recording technology, John Stephens was a genius and rarely gets the credit he deserves for the beautiful recorders and consoles he designed. A master of simplicity John Stephens was able to make a discrete 24 channel console, with 18 busses and a versatile monitor section weigh under 100 lbs. Every other console with this build quality easily weighs 300-800 lbs and has a huge footprint. The sound is on par with the early Quad Eight / Electrodyne consoles but the design of the Stephens is much more elegant and really a work of art. The 1/2" metal plate the console is designed around also serves as the ground plane so there are never any problems with noise. The amplifier response is flat from 20-20K and the EQ is musical at all settings. The only console IMO that sounds as good as the Stephens console, with regard to musicality and purity of sound are the early Quad Eight consoles - but those typically weigh hundreds of pounds and a 16 track, 8 buss version would easily be 8 feet wide and impossible to move around. The Stephens can fit in the back seat of a medium size car and would be perfect for someone with a small recording space or requires something portable without sacrificing fidelity. All the wiring on the console was originally done with silver plated teflon insulated wiring and all the inputs and outputs run to four connectors on the side of the console for quick and easy setup. The console can easily be set up for recording in 5-10 minutes.
I have a mother that needs care and can't justify keeping this console if someone out there is willing to pay what it is worth. Compare this console to the cost of a discrete/inductor based vintage API/Neve/Quad Eight/Electrodyne and you know this is a bargain! I might consider selling my 811D Stephens 2" 16 track along with the console if the right buyer is out there. Please, questions and inquiries from serious buyers only - I have limited time and simply can not respond to casual inquiries. Please call 503-437-6281 with any questions or offers since currently I have limited internet access.
The console is located in Portland, OR and delivery or pickup anywhere on the west coast can be arranged. Because of its light weight the console could be shipped to anywhere in the world for a reasonable amount - although I would prefer local pickup or dropoff so that I could go through all the documentation with you, and explain the console design in person. Please check my recent feedback - including the sale of my vintage EMI sidecar which sold to Japan - and bid with confidence!"
And it is listed as a Buy-It-Now at $32,000USD Or Best Offer.
Pics from the listing:
Attachments
sweetbeats
Reel deep thoughts...
sweetbeats
Reel deep thoughts...
cjacek
Analogue Enthusiast
The seller should have probably included shipping in the price. 
.... 
Seriously, that IS a beautiful piece! Right up my alley. It was saved from the trash you say. Wow.
.... Seriously, that IS a beautiful piece! Right up my alley. It was saved from the trash you say. Wow.
Dr ZEE
Anti-Pro Circles Insider
Build your own. One of a king ...or any kind. Just build your own, that's all.
GCalo
Member
Sell the house, Cory.
Here's your one and only chance to make it BIG!!!
Here's your one and only chance to make it BIG!!!
sweetbeats
Reel deep thoughts...
I've got it all backwards...I'm doing what Dr. ZEE suggested to my house...
Nah, Greg...I'm set. Wish my back would cooperate...when it does I'm having as much fun putting the same kind of attention and care into all the work we're doing on our house as I do into refurbing a piece of gear.
Nah, Greg...I'm set. Wish my back would cooperate...when it does I'm having as much fun putting the same kind of attention and care into all the work we're doing on our house as I do into refurbing a piece of gear.
witzendoz
Senior Member
Funny reading that, I mortgaged my house (that was fully payed off) in the early 1990's to kick start my home studio into a full time business.
Alan.
GCalo
Member
Nothing wrong w/that.
Sometimes you have no choice.
The hope is that the investment pays off so that the note gets repaid.
Sometimes you have no choice.
The hope is that the investment pays off so that the note gets repaid.
O
ofajen
Daddy-O Daddy-O Baby
Hey, I resemble that remark!
Anyway, you gotta give John credit: the console weighs 100 pounds. Any other comparable rig would way many times more and be much bigger, and probably not sound quite as clean. It would go nicely with a 2" 811 or 821 machine, but there is the small matter of the price...
Cheers,
Otto
O
ofajen
Daddy-O Daddy-O Baby
Actually, David Kean bought up pretty much everything John still had in the way of tape machines, but I think it was a bit before John passed away. Perhaps he got the desk from the estate later on.
Cheers,
Otto