antique microphones

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auburncatfish

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I, like most of us am always in the market for good microphones. I've dug a bit on this site and there's no real threads dealing with the question of vintage mics.

1st - are these worth anything for the home recording musician?

2nd - Do they have flavors comparable to today's mics?

Perhaps these are elementary questions, but these mics come through e-bay quite often and I wonder what their recording or maybe even performing worth is. Don't y'all?

Anybody?
 
mostly the random mics that come through on e-bay. "Elvis" style shures and such. I'm more interested in whether or not these things actually work good for people like us. Good sound?
 
For the most part, old microphones (30 years or more) are not going to sound as good as their modern counterparts. There are some prominent exceptions to this rule, but those are well known and sought after by the pro recording community to the point where the prices are ridiculous. I would avoid old dynamic mics (they do NOT improve with age), and I would want to try out any condensor or ribbon mic before buying it. Any of the vintage mics worth having - even if they are in working order - are going to need cleaning/refurbishing/upgrading/modifying/TLC to be a reliable and useful tool in a modern recording situation. Unless you have a clueless seller (this does happen, but it's rare) you probably won't find any bargains.

Scott
 
auburncatfish said:
mostly the random mics that come through on e-bay. "Elvis" style shures and such. I'm more interested in whether or not these things actually work good for people like us. Good sound?
Click to expand...

The capsules on the old "Big Elvis" mics are Crystal. I personally do not like crystal capsules. Mics of this design were mainly used for radio and PA systems. Radio was AM and the frequencies passing from station to home were not very broad (much like a telephone) therefore the microphones emphasize mostly the upper mids much like a harmonica mic. It’s a low impedance microphone. PA's were not the mega giants we have now able to produce 10,000w of sound. Some of the best only put out 100w or worse. When you're trying to compete with a full band (at the time) they want to have the frequencies that will cut through to SEEM louder. I'd stay away from the Elvis mics unless it's a newer 55 that you can pick up in the stores today. Even still the newer ones (albeit a dynamic mic) have low impedance and needs a good high level pre-amp for softer sources. It's actually not any better than an SM58 (I prefer the 58).

If you're to buy any mic because it's old, that's all you're going to get (with the exception of more sought after RCA 44's or Neumann U47's and alike)

--AdamLazlo
 
I have a very old EV-636 that I've used on acoustic guitar. It's an omni though, and picks up too much of the room which in my case is not a good thing.

However, the mic does sound pretty good.
 
Check my thread on the SM82. It's not quite "vintage", but it was a monster steal.-Richie
 
auburncatfish said:
mostly the random mics that come through on e-bay. "Elvis" style shures and such. I'm more interested in whether or not these things actually work good for people like us. Good sound?
Click to expand...
I have two that have just sort of come to me over the years. They sound like crap pure and simple.
 
I have a great affection for big old EV dynamics. No they don't sound like todays mic.'s but I have plenty of todays mic.'s and realy like to use something with a different sound from time to time. Some suggestions:
664, a great vocal mic for male vox that don't need or want proximity coloration.
664a, a smaller diaphram with a crisper more defined high end.
630, a large diphram omni that adds a fullnes to acoustic guitar or vox (also a good ambient or rom mic. in sme situations).
611, an inexpensive omni.
911, a (ceramic or crystal?) great old mic. that gives you that telephone or radio sound you know you want.

That's my short list. The only problem I've had is finding good cables and connectors.

You can spend your money on the cheap new condencers and get that cheap condencer sound we've all come to love. Just leave the old dynamics to me.
Thanks
 
So to wrap up...antique microphones are basically old and crappy sounding with the exception of a few gems.

My next question is...

What are the gems? I saw RCA 44 a couple times. What are the more sought after old mics? Are they worth it either?
 
auburncatfish said:
So to wrap up...antique microphones are basically old and crappy sounding with the exception of a few gems.

My next question is...

What are the gems? I saw RCA 44 a couple times. What are the more sought after old mics? Are they worth it either?
Click to expand...

Are they worth it? That's a hard question to answer. I guess it's up to the individual. I buy older stuff because I've used them some place else and really liked the sound of them. There are a bunch of older mics that people have and use but generally they're mighty pricy and might not be in good shape. Here are one's I like to use:

Neumann U47 tube
Neumann U47fet
Neumann CMV563
Neumann U67
Neumann KM84
RCA 74b junior ribbon
RCA BK-5A
RCA 44BX
AKG C12
AKG D12E
Shure SM59
Shure SM7
Lomo 19A19

You really have to be careful if purchasing stuff on the Internet. I have a guy in town that lets me try before I buy if it's something he can get his hands on. My favorite is the RCA 44BX and a good working one will run about $3000-$4000.

--AdamLazlo
 
Electro Voice Model V3

Hello:

I own an Electro Voice Ribbon Microphone (Circa 1940)

It is a model # V3 ...vari Z ohms

It has a WMTR (NJ) flag on it and a desk stand.

I believe it is still in operating condition.

I wonder if you know roughly what it would be worth if decided to sell it and if you or a friend would be interested in buying it?

Thank you.

Steve
analogelectric said:
Are they worth it? That's a hard question to answer. I guess it's up to the individual. I buy older stuff because I've used them some place else and really liked the sound of them. There are a bunch of older mics that people have and use but generally they're mighty pricy and might not be in good shape. Here are one's I like to use:

Neumann U47 tube
Neumann U47fet
Neumann CMV563
Neumann U67
Neumann KM84
RCA 74b junior ribbon
RCA BK-5A
RCA 44BX
AKG C12
AKG D12E
Shure SM59
Shure SM7
Lomo 19A19

You really have to be careful if purchasing stuff on the Internet. I have a guy in town that lets me try before I buy if it's something he can get his hands on. My favorite is the RCA 44BX and a good working one will run about $3000-$4000.

--AdamLazlo
Click to expand...
 
Electro Voice Model V3

Hello:

I own an Electro Voice Ribbon Microphone (Circa 1940)

It is a model # V3 ...vari Z ohms

It has a WMTR (NJ) flag on it and a desk stand.

I believe it is still in operating condition.

I wonder if you know roughly what it would be worth if decided to sell it and if you or a friend would be interested in buying it?

Thank you.

Steve
auburncatfish said:
So to wrap up...antique microphones are basically old and crappy sounding with the exception of a few gems.

My next question is...

What are the gems? I saw RCA 44 a couple times. What are the more sought after old mics? Are they worth it either?
Click to expand...
 
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