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Rare and Legendary Vintage Vacuum Tube Multi-pattern Large Diameter Condenser Microphone - In Used, Excellent, Original Condition
$29,500.00
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This mic has been lovingly, and carefully gone through by John Peluso. It is a marvel of original stock status, and only needed minor servicing to bring it back to full historic glory. The tube is an NOS EI 6072A which was noise tested for low-noise vintage microphone use. Peluso sorted out a very small problem with the pattern control, and replaced a singular pot in the power supply, while also cleaning and tracking down an ineffective original solder joint in the microphone. The capsule is all original and only needed a light cleaning. This is a WOW for any serious collector, or studio looking to raise the bar to a point that very few can claim - one of the original AKG C12's. This is the holy grail, and an immaculate specimen - best of the best.
The microphone is supplied with vintage cable, PSU, an after market flight case, and a vintage, velvet-lined box. This microphone is safely in our hands and available for on site viewing and testing (for the pre-qualified purchaser) at our Sound Pure’s Grammy-nominated facility, in Durham, NC. Due to the value of this microphone, standard terms are Bank Wire Prepayment, with shipping only via FedEx overnight, fully insured. We are able to ship this microphone globally to most international destinations.
The AKG C12 is a justifiable legend in the world of microphones. Now enshrined in the Technology Hall of Fame, it has spawned a number of imitators and vintage re-issues. The originals were only made for ten years, (1953-1963), with approximately 2,500 microphones manufactured.
Known for its unparalleled clarity and unique sound, with rich low end and natural top end, the combination of the CK12 capsule and the 6072 tube achieves what many consider the pinnacle of the microphone designer's art. The rarity of the mic, combined with the outstanding tone, and a frequency range from 20 kHz all the way down to 20 Hz, has made it one of the two or three 'Holy Grail' large diaphragm condensers.
But there is no single version of the C12. There were actually two different CK 12 capsules used in the mic, a large-cavity and a small-cavity version, as well as different thicknesses of diaphragm material. The transformers also went through different versions, from the Hiller T14 to the Henry 2148 to the famous Haufe T14/1. All of these variations combine to make the C12 a microphone that truly evolved over time into the magic of this one - the holy grail!
Coming hard on the heels of the Neumann M49, it was the second LDC mic that had a remote-controlled multi-pattern capability. A separate box allows switching the mic between any of nine different patterns, from omni through cardioid to figure-of-eight. This was very helpful for installations, such as a concert hall, where one did not want to have to move the microphone to change the polar pattern (especially after carefully finding the perfect "sweet spot" to record from).
The C12 is not only a fantastic mic in its own right, but has also spawned the whole series of AKG mics from the C12A to the 414 series of today. And when Neumann stopped working with Telefunken, they came calling to AKG, who made a variation of the C12 for them called the Ela-M 251. A case of one Holy Grail microphone giving birth to another.
The C12 was frequently used for recording Paul McCartney's bass on Beatles tracks from Sgt. Pepper onwards, and also saw use recording the grand piano, strings, and the famous orchestral section of A Day in the Life.
The great versatility of the C12 was proven in the sessions produced by Quincy Jones for "We Are The World". With a dazzling array of the best singers in the business, Quincy tried several mics before choosig the AKG C12 as the one mic that could do justice to ALL of their voices. The result was one of the most famous collaborations ever recorded with multiple singers - all of them using the equally famous C12.
Around the world recording studios, radio and TV stations, opera houses and famous stages count on AKG products. Internationally known musicians and show-stars have frequently been seen using our high-quality microphones and headphones for many decades. Today AKG is one of the leading manufacturers of high-quality microphones, headphones and wireless-equipment. Listed below is the brief story of one of the most famous brands in the professional audio-world. AKG, founded in Vienna by Dr. Rudolf Goerike and Ernst Pless, soon became one of the biggest players in the world of sound. Today AKG is synonymous with good sound, stands for passion in music providing the highest quality and ongoing innovation in the world of music. The company was founded in 1947 and within months, the first AKG microphones were being used in radio stations, theatres and Jazz-Clubs. The products (the AKG DYN Series) were at that time manufactured by hand by five workers. In 1949, the first AKG headphones came on the market. Then, in the early fifties AKG made a breakthrough with several new products: Totally new technologies like the world’s first high quality condenser microphone, the D 12 with its cardioid characteristics, the world’s first remote-controlled multi-pattern capacitor microphone, the C 12 and the D 36 made acoustic history. One of the first customers of the famous C 12 microphone was the BBC in London.
Frequency Range: 20 to 20,000 cps
Polar Pattern: Variable-Pattern
Directional Characteristics (3 different positions): omni-directional, Cardioid, bi-directional
Sensitivity: 1.0 mV/µbar (–60 dB re 1 V/dyne/cm2), unloaded (200 ohms)
Equivalent Noise Level: less than 20 dB
Impedance: 50/200 ohms (change solder lugs)
Tube Complement: 1 x 6072, 6.3 volts DC filament voltage, 120 volts DC plate voltage
Stand Connector: 3?8", ½", 5?8"-27 with micro phone cable MK 12
Dimensions: 10" (255 mm) with connector, 11?16" diameter (43 mm)
Condition: Used / Vintage
Package Contents: Mic swivel mount (original), Mic-PSU cable, Microphone box, PSU, IEC Power cable
Tube or Solid State: Tube
Tube Type: 6072
Capsule Type: CK12
Transducer Type: Condenser