AKG 414 EB

I first started hearing about the 414EB on these forums, (especially how favorably they compared to the new 414's) so when I saw a chance to buy a used one cheap, I grabbed it.

Having had the opportunity to check it out a little in the studio, it has a lovely sound, but perhaps subjectively a little dark. (I don't have the test equipment to do an objective test.) Could be because i'm used to the hyped upper mids of the "modern" mics in my collection. I was just curious if this is "normal" for this mic, or if perhaps mine needs some work.

I'm sure i will find plenty of uses for it - horn micing, guitar/bass amps or various drums certainly seem worth experimenting with. I just probably wouldn't try to get a sparkly pop vocal with it. (But then again, I have lots of stuff that will already do that).

Any 414EB veterans out there want to weigh in?

 

Is it the old model with the silver body? Those are the ones in high demand because they have the brass capsule like the original C-12. Mine is very bright and clear. Maybe you are letting the singer get too close. That could cause a nasty proximity effect.

Steve

 

Hmmm - actually it looks a lot like my 414B-ULS - silver on front side of the grill, black on the other, black body. Says "P-48" above the pattern select, "C414 EB" on the back. Apparently owned by a NY entity called "The Rental Company" whose phone number (212-265-4400) is etched on the side.

So, did I rip myself off of $500 through my own ignorance? I guess that is the inherent danger of buying vintage gear with no knowledge. You don't want to lose out on "golden" opportunities, but it's something of a crap shoot when you don't know diddly. Of course, it was through a dealer that values my business, so if you tell me it's a piece of $*^t not worth anything, i can probably convince them to void my sale.

 

Mine's as you describe but with a silver body. I like the sound of it but it been broken 3 times (it's broke now). 5 bills seems a good pice for it, though.

 

What i'd really like to know is, if I don't have the silver body, does that mean i don't have the C12 capsule?

 

The black bodies can have the original style capsule, the silver bodies might have gotten the plastic ringed capsule as a replacement at some point. Only way to tell is to look at the capsule. I haven't priced a 414, but $500 seems reasonable for any version if you want one.

Bear