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[jstaines]

Hey yall,

I was wondering if anyone on this forum knows of some common microphone models during the 1960's Brill Building era (ronettes,Shangri-Las etc) that would be used during live performances or tv performances. I am doing a theatre production from this time period and want to make sure I have accurate models. Any help would be greatly appreciated! THANKS!

[Richie Royale]

Aside to the (obvious) Shure S55/55SH model this guy has some lovely mics

http://k9toa.net/ which may be of inspiration or just eye candy!

55SH http://www.nevadamusic.co.uk/PA_Mics_&_Vocals/Microphones/Dynamic_Mics/p3460.aspx

Cheap copy of 55SH

http://www.creativetools.co.uk/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=542

The 55SH is a 1950's mic, but they were and still are popular in TV shows depicting the past. http://www.shure.com/proaudio/products/wiredmicrophones/us_pro_55shseriesii_content

[Yago]

Gort Veringa ! Klaatu barata nicto !!

[ROLO46]

Those are ham radio microphones...

[Yago]

Oooo , and not a comment on my movie joke
Try this site :
Clicky

[colemcg]

I have a Neumann KTM vintage microphone made in West Berlin, was wondering if anyone could tell me the price of this

[Hugh Robjohns]

A KM74, which is essentially the same thing (came out a year later with a slightly revised body) was on offer on Reverb.com recently for around £1500... So About that or a little more, depending on condition I'd say.

H

[Arpangel]

Sorry to pop in with a question, I often see a prolific mystery microphone on some 60's videos, it's got a preamp body, quite big, about 7/8 inches long, on which is attached a long thin angled tube, on top of which sits a basket that looks like an SM58.
Any ideas folks?

[Hugh Robjohns]

Do you mean something like this?



If so, that's the AKG C450 system which -- in this example -- comprises the C451 preamp body at the bottom, with a VR2 long extension tube, and a CK5 cardioid capsule at the top with integral windshield.

It was a very popular system in (UK) TV studios in the 70s and 80s, and you see it all the time on 70s programmes. In addition to the long tube, there was also a short extension tube (VR1), and a wide range of different capsules, as well as angled 'knuckles' and pads that fitted between the capsule and tube/preamp body. There were also several variations on the preamp too.

There's a catalogue of the various system components here:

http://lcweb2.loc.gov/master/mbrs/recording_preservation/manuals/AKG%20C-450%20System%20Modular%20Condenser%20Microphones.pdf

H

[Sam Inglis]

There was also an earlier valve version which used the same CK5 capsule with a C28 preamp and similar extension tubes.

[The Red Bladder]

In recording, they would be Neumann U67, U47 and stuff like that and RCA ribbons - totally unsuitable (they would just break on the first performance) and stupidly expensive to get the originals (think thousands each).

Stage stuff was just the old Shures and EV mics.

[Hugh Robjohns]

There was indeed, called the C30 I believe. Never got my hands on that system, sadly.

https://www.gearslutz.com/board/attachments/so-much-gear-so-little-time/509689d1446669142-beatles-egg-shaped-mics-ones-akg-c30-c28-variant-w-vr30-long-extension-ck28-cardioid-capsule-.pdf

[Arpangel]

Do you mean something like this?



If so, that's the AKG C450 system which -- in this example -- comprises the C451 preamp body at the bottom, with a VR2 long extension tube, and a CK5 cardioid capsule at the top with integral windshield.

It was a very popular system in (UK) TV studios in the 70s and 80s, and you see it all the time on 70s programmes. In addition to the long tube, there was also a short extension tube (VR1), and a wide range of different capsules, as well as angled 'knuckles' and pads that fitted between the capsule and tube/preamp body. There were also several variations on the preamp too.

There's a catalogue of the various system components here:

http://lcweb2.loc.gov/master/mbrs/recording_preservation/manuals/AKG%20C-450%20System%20Modular%20Condenser%20Microphones.pdf

H

Thanks Hugh, I knew you'd be able to identify this one!
I had a brush with a couple of these things awhile back...

http://collection.sciencemuseum.org.uk/objects/co8430787/bbc-marconi-axbt-ribbon-microphone-1944-1959-microphone

They were from the mic collection of the late Mike Skeet, and I sold them for his family.
I had the privilege of owning and trying them while we were waiting for a buyer, I would have loved to have kept them, but they were well beyond my budget at the time.
I had to get one overhauled, there were a few issues with it, but honestly, they still sounded very good indeed, lovely quallity on speech especially.

[Hugh Robjohns]

Lovely mics. The Beeb used to give them way to certain retiring staff members until the discarded stocks ran out! Worth very serious money these days.

H

[Arpangel]

Lovely mics. The Beeb used to give them way to certain retiring staff members until the discarded stocks ran out! Worth very serious money these days.

H

Yes they are worth serious money, to the right person. I ended up selling them to a dealer after talking to Mikes family about it, but everyone was happy at the end of the day.
I must have advertised them for about 6 months before we finally sold them.
I had to get one sorted out by a UK ribbon specialist, but at a very reasonable price.
I would love to have bought one, but even the dealer price was beyond me.
The Beeb used to gold plate them I think, for retiring members.