I like them, I used them on ACU, Overheads and High Hat. They are worth $400 for a pair. They are decent utility condenser IMO.

Are these the current models or the original modular version with the screw-on capsules? I had the originals and they were pretty nice on the stuff Link mentioned. Haven't tried the current ones.

Man they made a different version? Well I used the older model, since the last time I played with a pair was 10 years ago at least...

$400 is a really good price for two of them whether they're new or old (especially old-style).
The current version is C451B

As stated, very well suited for hi-hat and overhead, or anything else you'd do with an SDC. The built-in pad and low-cut is pretty useful.

They are comparable to Shure SM81s, and to my ears a noticeable upgrade from Rode NT5s - if that helps in the comparison department.

Really like the SM81's too, actually I prefer the 81's on most ACU GTRs even over my QTC50's. Sacrilege I know....

Link555 wrote: Really like the SM81's too, actually I prefer the 81's on most ACU GTRs even over my QTC50's. Sacrilege I know....

Some mics just do something to the sound that others do not, The 81's are forward and aggressive sounding on AG Guitar and this really helps in a dense mix. I've always liked them for this over AKG 451's, or even Neumann 184's. Nothing in a SDC pencil sounds as good as an older Neumann KM84.

As for 451's, they are very good mics but will take some getting used to. They are real bright, but still retain the body of the low-mids. Worth that price.

i sent an email to the seller, asking about condition, mic clips / shockmounts, etc. this was his response:

One is a C451-EB - which has a black finish, the other I believe is a C451-B.

Both mics were removed from service as broadcast mics at a talk radio station several years ago - and were given to me in trade for overtime work at the station. They both still work wonderfully - I still use the C451-EB as a microphone for my computer / gaming.

I have one shock mount for them, which is in use at the moment. But it is held together with a cable tie... I also have one or two wind screens for them. I do not have the cases, or other accessories, however i do have a spare capsule.

so they are not matched pairs, nor even the same series. still sound like a good deal?

Davedog wrote:
Some mics just do something to the sound that others do not

amen, i've been using super cheapo Cascade M37 pencil condensers for a year or 2 now. got the pair, along with nice shockmounts, for $70. and they sound much better for OHs than my $200 akg c1000s.

i've always thought about upgrading them - but if they sound surprisingly nice, i should upgrade elsewhere first.

Not sure if it's the same mic, but I love my Cascade M39s. Almost as much as my 414s for OHs, more than any other mic I own for AG.
Having a bass roll-off and pad built-in is nice, too.

If you are a microphone whore, I mean collector, like the rest of us, go for it. The one thing to watch out for is on the older model with the screws on replaceable capsules, the threads can get easily screwed up. And since the oldest version (mine) did not have any built in switches, you needed to screw on the pad. And all that screwing, well, you can imagine.

Really Dave? You think the SM 81 sounds more aggressive? I always felt it was the other way around. I always felt the SM 81 was smoother compared to the more aggressive 451. It's amazing how different our perceptions of the same things can be. That's so cool. And that's what makes this so incredibly subjective. These are certainly great microphones that are not great on everything. And I don't find them as universally useful as my SM 81's. But still great & bright sounding. Certainly not a one-size-fits-all microphone.

I've gained weight and lost microphones
Mx. Remy Ann David

Whether you're a 451 fan or not, does anyone else bristle just a little bit at the idea of the current owner using a mic of that caliber to chat up dwarves in the World of Warcraft?

He must be serious if he's got a set-up that can feed a computer mic phantom power.

Whoops! Totally glossed over that one! Haha.

But hey, more power to him - were it me, I'd probably wear an E6 if I wanted to talk to people while I bashed them with a morning star...

Yah I hear where you're coming from there Remy...I guess its the 'fuller' sound of the 81's as opposed to the brighter sound of the 451's that gives it something that sounds more 'in yer face' without a bunch of spittiness that I was referring to. I always thought my 81's sounded 'bigger'.....heck, you see em with the ball windscreen all over TV from lots of years ago as a vocal mic for performances. I used mine for vocals a lot. Worked great.

oh snap! looks like one of them is actually a C452

what do you know about those??

They're virtually identical, but the 452 ONLY runs on 48v phantom power.

ALSO...
Test them very carefully, let them run for a good 30 minutes or so. They are VERY sensitive to humidity conditions and wil "spit and crackle" if they are not well-kept. And, you might be able to pick up an SM81 or two at that same price point ($200/ea), that's what I've found in my neck of the woods. I agree with the Dog, the SM81 is a more versatile and smoother-sounding mic...my 0.02