AKG SOLIDTUBE foam removal?

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bruiser1964

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Hi guys, I have an AKG solidtube and am in the main happy with it although I've read it is improved by removing the internal windshield. Anyone familliar with this process? I've had a look and can remove the bottom (valve access) but not the top. Any tips?
Thanks
 
Mine will arrive in a couple of days so I couldn't tell you yet but the Behringer T-1 pulls straight off. No twisting, no screws.
I took the foam out of that one for a few minutes but wasn't particularly fond of the results.
Changes everything.
 
That's what I've read as well. It seems to remove some of the dullness the mic is reputed to have.

(cue mshilarious with a response to prove why that isn't possible)
 
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Thanks guys I'm gonna give it a try tonight - BTW beware of the 3 scews at the bottom they are made of chocolate ... I'm gonna find replacements :)
 
akg solidtube tweaks

I just bought one of these off a friend that had some extra mics laying around.i got a great deal 400$. He never used it nor is he that savvy to the technical side of things, so anyways he had someone switch the tube out with a jann phillips , well the first thing i did was take the internal pop filter out ! much less muffled sound! ! but for some vocal treatments i could see how the pop filter would be useful. to my ears it sounds really rich with a clarity that you wouldnt expect. the jann phillips tube doesnt do the trick for me though, definitly going to change it.. not sure which tube to get ive heard mallurd or rca black something or other. ? do you guys have any opinions of which tube to get? i am running the mic into a presonus solidstate eureka preamp.
 
Thanks guys I'm gonna give it a try tonight - BTW beware of the 3 scews at the bottom they are made of chocolate ... I'm gonna find replacements
Click to expand...
Those are extremely soft screws. I'll be looking for replacements too.
$400 Wow!
Do keep in mind that if you remove that foam you are going to have to use something to keep the moisture away.
I don't think it's such a great idea.
I'll be doing what I did with the ribbons. i.e. Leave everything intact, don't use an external pop filter but keep my distance. 10" minimum.
 
Finally got around to doing a shoot out with a bunch of tubes in the AKG.
Extremely time consuming, given warm up times and change over time etc..
Tip: Remove the rubber yoke until such time as you're done swapping. Saves a bit of time & tinkering.
Anyway, the results. (entirely subjective) The JAN Phillips 12AX7WA, which I think is actually the original valve, beat everything
hands down with the exception of the Telefunken ECC801S/12AT7 which in itself is an absolutely fantabulous vacuum tube.
Much hyped and selling for as much as $125 apiece on E-bay but an absolute winner nonetheless.
The Mullard 12AT7 tubes were a bit dark to my liking and the JAN Phillips, given that it is a 12AX7 thus requiring less gain,
was much brighter in comparison.
I thought for that reason,(12AX7 vs 12AT7) the Philips would beat out the Telefunken but it didn't. At least, not to my ear.
The Telefunken was fairly even and true to the sound across the whole spectrum whereas the Philips kind of morphed into
a very warm, bassy rumble at the extreme lows and a real vintage, ribbon like sound in the highs.
I could have gone with either but I'm keeping the Telefunken in the mic and will find a safe way to store the Phillips in the case
since both are excellent tubes and in my opinion, well suited to the mic.
 
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