Guitar Center Oktava MC-012... no -10dB Pad anymore?

[noisedude]

Well the problem is that the 'counterfeits' are probably as 'real' as anything else carrying the Oktava name. We've heard that the Russian factory has closed, so if this ASM bloke has the rights to distributing the Oktava brand, it's possible he can release anything under that name and in a commercial sense it's still Oktava.

But obviously it raises issues if people think they're buying the Russian ones that people write such good feedback on, but really they're getting some knocked-off re-designed thing.

 

[ozraves]

In that the new Chinese knock off Guitar Center Oktava MC012 mics are not the ones that we've all recommended for the last few years then they are simply fakes trying to trade off of the good will of the real thing.

Of course, if they try to knock off the MK219, then I think these guys are nuts and deserve to be shot. However, it'd be hard not to improve that mic.

 

[drummerdude666]

OK so seeing as A.S. McKay are distributing the 'fake' oktavas... how come the UK cant get hold of Oktavas to save their lives.. Nowhere stocks them and no-one can get any from me.

 

[noisedude]

Dude, you need to chill out on these Oktavas. They aren't the only SDC ever made. If you can't get them, you can't get them. It's not worth stressing over - you have a plethora of options, not least the Red5 mics which none of these yanks can even get!

 

[crazydoc]

Hi bro... do you mean comparing the Chinese made counterfeit mics with each other... or comparing the Chinese made counterfeit mics with the real Oktava mics?

The Chinese with the Russian, of course.

Well, I went to guitar center and the mics they had, 4 of them, came with the plastic holder, no -10dB pad, but had MK-012 01A or whatever that is, and had ASM on it.

They were basically a mix of both of those pictures that show a 'real' and a 'fake'.

I think this is probably gonna blow over as internet hog wash, but who knows...stranger things have happend.

My "old Russian" Octavas also have MK-012-01 and A.S.M. stamped on them, and the name Oktava instead of the cyrillic OktaBa. I assume this is because they were made for export.

It looks like the presumptive rip offs are differentiated by the plastic instead of metal clip, lack of the -10dB pad, and most telling, copper instead of silver contact pins. Just unscrew the capsule when you're in GC and the difference should be apparent.

 

[drummerdude666]

BUT ARGH!!!!!!!!! 8*&^(")!!!!!!!!!!!

........one......two.......three............(breath in).....four......(breath out)....five.... . .

lol. I know noisedude but i'd finally figured out what i wanted (many threads and posts later) and now i cant get what i want. Just annoying - thats all. I've got my GCSEs in two weeks.

I dont need this stress! lol.

 

[Harvey Gerst]

Late Breaking News/Confirmations:

A & F McKay Audio LTD is officially in liquidation. Oktava (in Tula, Russia) is still in business. There is a dispute pending as to whether McKay has the right to manufacture mics with the Oktava name, but made in China, strictly for McKay. Oktava has severed all business relations with McKay, and is warning people to avoid these Chinese Oktava copies.

 

[noisedude]

BUT ARGH!!!!!!!!! 8*&^(")!!!!!!!!!!!

........one......two.......three............(breath in).....four......(breath out)....five.... . .

lol. I know noisedude but i'd finally figured out what i wanted (many threads and posts later) and now i cant get what i want. Just annoying - thats all. I've got my GCSEs in two weeks.

I dont need this stress! lol.

I tell you what - can you type me 30,000 words on Christian Theology in the next five days for me? I'll sit your GCSEs for you in return

The Oktavas were overpriced in the UK anyway. I reckon you have three options worth taking - ADK SC1 (supercheap at only £100 for two), SP C4 (equivalent to what you were getting) and Red5 RV8 (the great unknown, but championed by Dot, who knows his stuff). I've made my decision and stand by it, but if you get the Red5s, let me know how you find them.

 

[giraffe]

both my mk-012's are a juxtposition ot the two pictured in the
real vs fake page
and both of mine are over two years old!!!

 

[DJL]

Late Breaking News/Confirmations:

A & F McKay Audio LTD is officially in liquidation. Oktava (in Tula, Russia) is still in business. There is a dispute pending as to whether McKay has the right to manufacture mics with the Oktava name, but made in China, strictly for McKay. Oktava has severed all business relations with McKay, and is warning people to avoid these Chinese Oktava copies.

Bingo... I had a feeling that's what was happening. Now we need to know how to detect the Chinese counterfeits. I'm still curious which Chinese mic factory made the Qktava counterfeit mics... does anyone here know?


By the way... if anyone is looking for Oktava mics, I recommend you get them from the SoundRoom.

 

[noisedude]

I'm with DJL - this is fascinating stuff. But seeing as Oktava aren't a factor for us Brits, I'm at least safe til ASM start peddling knock-offs over here!!

 

[CanopuS]

I'm with DJL - this is fascinating stuff. But seeing as Oktava aren't a factor for us Brits, I'm at least safe til ASM start peddling knock-offs over here!!

http://www.turnkey.co.uk/tkweb/stockdetail.jsp?sku=OKTA-MK012A&context=WEB

But anyway

 

[crazydoc]

Bingo... I had a feeling that's what was happening. Now we need to know how to detect the Chinese counterfeits.

It looks like you just unscrew the capsule and see what color/configuration the contact pins are.

 

[DJL]

http://www.turnkey.co.uk/tkweb/stockdetail.jsp?sku=OKTA-MK012A&context=WEB

But anyway

LOL... wow, that was quick... at least it comes with a pad.

 

[DJL]

It looks like you just unscrew the capsule and see what color/configuration the contact pins are.

Yeah, so what's the deal... I'm not clear on that... how can I tell?

 

[noisedude]

So is that one at Turnkey a knock-off? It has a metal clip in the pic and stock availability is 'limited' - I suspect it might be an old one they've not taken off the website yet, but I can't be sure.

 

[paddyponchero]

All the genuine oktavas are brass construcion with tiny flat head screws (nickel plated brass?). I have one ASM oktava that has no serial number but is definitely identical in every way to the other oktava.

The chinese version is definitely not made of brass, looks like lacquered steel and uses philips head black screws. Both the construction material and holder are like the behringer B5 whoever makes those.

 

[crazydoc]

Yeah, so what's the deal... I'm not clear on that... how can I tell?

These pictures.

 

[drummerdude666]

http://www.turnkey.co.uk/tkweb/stockdetail.jsp?sku=OKTA-MK012A&context=WEB

But anyway

Brillaint! i can now buy some oktavas!

 

[pcs2000]

Earlier this afternoon, I decided to return the Oktava MK012s that I purchased last week from the GC promotion after reading this thread.

I spoke to the GC manager about story of the the fake (Chinese reissue) versus the original Russian made MK012s. The GC manager was aware of the issue and told me that he may have an original in stock.

After a 5-10 minute search the GC manager came back with two MK012 mics complete with the 10db pad, the metal clip, the cardioid capsule, and documentation in Russian all in a black case. I was rather surprised that they had not one but two. Now I wondering if there were some more stashed in the back somewhere.

Anyway I am pretty darn happy about the exchange even though they should have sold me the originals in the first place. The GC manager was really helpful and I left the store a happy camper.

If it weren't for this thread I would have been thinking I had the Russian-made MK012s all along.

Thanks everyone!
Pete