GC blowing out Oktava

  • Thread starter Thread starter Richard Monroe
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i was out of town and stopped at a gc the day before labor day. the guy in there said they were $99 and they were "probably" going on sale on labor day (the way he said it was insinuating that they were, but not having the decency to tell me). so i said fuck it and left. they only had 4 anyway.
 
tkingen said:
But there's no bids on them!
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...that's why they call it "buying on spec"...

spec·u·la·tion (spky-lshn) noun:
1. Engagement in risky business transactions on the chance of quick or considerable profit.
2. A commercial or financial transaction involving speculation.
The taking of above-average risks to achieve above-average returns, generally during a relatively short period of time. Speculation involves buying something on the basis of its potential selling price rather than on the basis of its actual value.

...note the key phrase "actual value"...
 
tkingen said:
But there's no bids on them!
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Crikey I just did a search for completed listings on ebay and some of these have gone for as much as $300 - at that rate you could make a living out of buying & selling them.

I can understand them going for ver $100 because we're not all lucky enough to live near a GC - my nearest is 3000 miles away :D - but $300!! :o
 
paddyponchero said:
Crikey I just did a search for completed listings on ebay and some of these have gone for as much as $300 - at that rate you could make a living out of buying & selling them.

I can understand them going for ver $100 because we're not all lucky enough to live near a GC - my nearest is 3000 miles away :D - but $300!! :o
Click to expand...

...that leads to the next principle of buying on spec, "supply and demand"...
 
I went to my local Guitar Center today (Rockville, Md). They ran out of the Oktavas, but said that they can order them in no time for the same price:

MC-012 $69.-
MC-012 matched pair: $145.-
MKL-2500 $99.-

I am tempted to either get the matched pair or the 2500. On the other hand, what would I do if I buy a mic that I end up never using coz it sounds like crap?? I need some help deciding ...

How do you think the MC-012 will sound on a saxophone? :confused:
 
Giganova said:
I am tempted to either get the matched pair or the 2500. On the other hand, what would I do if I buy a mic that I end up never using coz it sounds like crap?? I need some help deciding ...

How do you think the MC-012 will sound on a saxophone? :confused:
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You can hear the MKL 2500 on vox here:
http://www.recordingproject.com/bbs/viewtopic.php?p=230976#230976
For $99 you're not risking much and if you decide you don't like it sell it. Good luck.
 
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My new MKL-2500 had a slight hum problem when I first fired it up, so I did the anti-hum mod shown in the previous post, and it's really quiet now.

I'm beginning to think that this hum issue might be the main reason GC decided to sell them so cheap. The mod only took 5 minutes to do (it took 4 minutes for the soldering pencil to warm up)... ;)

Maybe the other reason is because I didn't see any type of safety lab logo (like CSA or UL) on the power supply.
 
kid klash said:
My new MKL-2500 had a slight hum problem when I first fired it up, so I did the anti-hum mod shown in the previous post, and it's really quiet now.

I'm beginning to think that this hum issue might be the main reason GC decided to sell them so cheap. The mod only took 5 minutes to do (it took 4 minutes for the soldering pencil to warm up)... ;)

Maybe the other reason is because I didn't see any type of safety lab logo (like CSA or UL) on the power supply.
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And the main reason is that all Oktava mikes at GC are counterfeit http://debris.com/journal/1274 (read all 4 parts). For the same reason eBay removed all unauthorized Oktava auctions recently.

There is also information on the misleading GC ads about "hand-made MKL-2500 microphones" (http://www.debris.com/journal/1333) and leaked GC memo on Oktava inventory liquidation (http://www.debris.com/journal/1336).
 
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bl2003 said:
And the main reason is that all Oktava mikes at GC are counterfeit http://debris.com/journal/1274 (read all 4 parts). For the same reason eBay removed all unauthorized Oktava auctions recently.

There is also information on the misleading GC ads about "hand-made MLL-2500 microphones" (http://www.debris.com/journal/1333) and leaked GC memo on Oktava inventory liquidation (http://www.debris.com/journal/1336).
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I think you're misinformed. The counterfeit issue pertains only to the small diaphragm 012 condenser, not the large diaphragm 219, 319, 2500 or 5000 condensers. :)
 
kid klash said:
I think you're misinformed. The counterfeit issue pertains only to the small diaphragm 012 condenser, not the large diaphragm 219, 319, 2500 or 5000 condensers. :)
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I'm pretty sure it pertains to all 3 "for sale" microphones: 012, 319 and 2500.
Like they wrote in the leaked memo:
"MKL2500 and MK319:
Both of these mics that you are selling right not are the official, made in Russia Oktava microphones, to the best of our knowledge. We are selling them below our cost because we no longer want to be associated with the problems this company is going through right now."
BTW, as I can see on audio-related forums, the majority of non-authorized MKL2500 has chinese-made PS.

But the main reason for the recent events is probably the copyright issues related to the conflict between russian OAO Oktava and Oktava Limited (a.k.a A & F Mckay Audio Ltd.)
"In 2004 Oktava Limited(A&F McKay) lost its distributor’s rights because it unlawfully used our trademark “Oktava” and violated numerous contract terms.
...
OAO Oktava did not grant Oktava Limited(A&F McKay) any rights to manufacture copies of its products or use its trademark.
…
OAO Oktava is not responsible for the quality of copies made in China or in any other part of the world. Microphones or any other products not produced by OAO Oktava, Tula, Russia, do not have the OAO Oktava’s guarantee and will not be serviced by OAO Oktava."
 
FWIW, I just picked up a second MK319 at GC. When taking note of the serial # for my records I discovered it was much lower than one I had bought over a year ago.

If the counterfeit issue does not apply, what could explain the serial number going from something like 765342 to 000345?

Just wondering.
 
...the irony in all this is that many of the active members of this BB site have been fans of the Oktava mics, while at the same time been very critical of the many Chinese made microphones at the same pricepoint (they shall remain nameless)...the "Euro" origin of the Oktavas seem to motivate some to look past the vast QC problems Oktava products have been plagued by for years...I don't think any of the Chinese manufacturers (even Nady) have displayed such poor QC...now many who ran out to grab one of the "bargain" Oktavas have in turn purchased a Chinese "knockoff"...
...I'll take a (reliable/non-humming) SP B1 or MXL V67 over a 319 (even a "good" one) any day of the week...

...and so much for the "buy low, sell high" speculators who stocked up on counterfeit product and now got booted off Ebay...too much irony for one day, I'd say...
 
kid klash said:
Well, here's a link from Oktava that I interpret as saying it's only the 012 :

http://oktava.tula.net/fake/
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...that link predates these:

"There is also information on the misleading GC ads about "hand-made MLL-2500 microphones" (http://www.debris.com/journal/1333) and leaked GC memo on Oktava inventory liquidation (http://www.debris.com/journal/1336)."


...jeez...this is more fun than the Telefunken debacle!!!


...here's some more:
http://forum.cakewalk.com/tm.asp?m=575625


...even causing a stir in the "Mother Country":
http://homerecording.de/modules/newbb/viewtopic.php?topic_id=35044&forum=39&10
 
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kid klash said:
Well, here's a link from Oktava that I interpret as saying it's only the 012 :

http://oktava.tula.net/fake/
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Unfortunately, it's all three of them, as noted on the Oktava USA home page
http://www.oktavausa.com/ :
"Since April 2005 there are some MC012, MK319 and MKL2500 Oktava Microphones being sold in the United States of America that are manufactured in CHINA, not in Russia".
You may check "How to tell the difference!" button on that page, it helps.
 
kidvybes said:
...that link predates these:

"There is also information on the misleading GC ads about "hand-made MLL-2500 microphones" (http://www.debris.com/journal/1333) and leaked GC memo on Oktava inventory liquidation (http://www.debris.com/journal/1336)."


...jeez...this is more fun than the Telefunken debacle!!!


...here's some more:
http://forum.cakewalk.com/tm.asp?m=575625


...even causing a stir in the "Mother Country":
http://homerecording.de/modules/newbb/viewtopic.php?topic_id=35044&forum=39&10
Click to expand...

Interesting stuff! Maybe they're actually Behr-tava mics! ;)
Personally, I think whatever MKL-2500 you've got is worth the $99!
 
I dont give a rats ass if it was built in Russia of China.
I have a good sounding tube mic for onli $99.oo :) :) :)
 
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