AKG c414??

If you can find a silver EB with the original CK12 capsule inside, that would be a good thing. There you'd have the same capsule that you'd find in a C12 or ELA M251. If you want to get fancy later, Klaus Heyne does mods on these that sound wonderful. Of the two contemporary varieties of 414, (ULS and TLII) I'm fond of neither ... but you might like 'em.. Best thing is to try them out yourself. -dave

i have an original silver eb with ck 12 and it is the silkiest sounding mic i have ever used(aside from the "tube")this is avery sought after mic!

WOW!!, I've still got a C414 (no extension behind this), silver colored, serial number 450 laying around. Do you tell me that there's a C12 capsule in this thing? Tjeezz, I baugt this mic Yeeeeeaars ago for less than 10 $ ! Who's Mr. Klaus Heyne,a and how do I contact him?? Thanx for this discovery.. Huby

First of all, I'll give you $20 for your mic... that's DOUBLE!!! Seriously, if your mic is a silver-colored 414-EB, and it has NOT been to AKG for "service", it may still have the CK12 capsule in it.... and that would be reason for celebration. Klaus Heyne is one of the foremost experts on vintage Neumann and AKG microphones. He does offer wonderful custom modifications to them, with a very tasteful approach. His contact info can be found at . You'll learn a lot about your mic just by talking to him. -dave

I'd avoid the B-ULS - I think it sounds a lot worse than the EB, especially the ones with the old capsule. I believe that the C414 (w/ no extra letters after) also has the old C12 capsule, and should sound great. BTW - the only mic mod I ever heard that actually improved the mic was a tube conversion of a U87. The Steven Paul mod on a U87 sounded pretty awful to me compared to a stock 87. If the mic sounds good -DON'T MOD IT! If you can find a used 87, I would also suggest that if you can find a good deal, otherwise stick with the older 414's.

How do I know if I have the CK12? I mean they are silver, serials in the low 1000's. EB model. How do I tell if they got that CK12? Probably these are 20 years old and I paid $1000 for the pair a year ago.