AKG 414 EB

[anonymous]

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?

 

[soulconnect]

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

 

[anonymous]

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.

 

[drundall]

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.

 

[anonymous]

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?

 

[Bear's Gone Fission]

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