Topic: Advice: Opportunity to buy AKG 391' in Excellent Condition

[obaaron]

So I have the opportunity to buy a pair of 391 Bluelines for $400.  The mics are in great condition is this a fair deal?  I will be taping mostly indoor shows at clubs here in San Diego and occasional outdoor shows and festivals.   Will want to get an active set up for them also.

I want to make sure I'm making a good purchase so any advice would be greatly appreciated.  Thanks!

Current rigs:  CA-14/CA-11's, Zoom H4N

[bhtoque]

That's a fair price for a pair in good condition, but you may have a hard time finding the active cables to go with them. Someone on the board was doing a mod for them though so you should be all set.

JAson

[obaaron]

Thanks Jason.  I've heard good things about these mics and $400 seems like a good deal from what I've seen in my research.  It's just the mics and the clips, no windscreens but that'ss no biggie.  I'll probably move forward with the purchase today.

Anyone have any feedback?

[DigiGal]

I'm very happy with mine, got lucky and picked up a pair of used OEM active cables.  I have CK91's, CK94 and CK98 capsules which provides extra flexibility in running different types of stereo configs/mic patterns to fit the recording environment.

[acidjack]

I concur with the others.  I think the 391s are great mics for that price.  In that range I'd also look at Audio Technica's line.  You may be able to get a new pair of AT's that you like as much as these AKGs, depending what sound you prefer.  Though the AT's do not have active setups, so if that is a key requirement, these are your best bet at that price.

[newplanet7]

Are the AT's you have in mind fixed or modular AJ?

[acidjack]

Are the AT's you have in mind fixed or modular AJ?

In the OP's price range I think you'd be looking at fixed, like these: http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/AT4041SP/

or these, for $50 less than the AKGs.

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/AT4021/

The 4021s are, IIRC, the same thing basically as 3031s, which IMHO sound better than those AKGs.  But it's a difference of flavor; the AT's are a bit cleaner sounding but don't have the fat, round bass response the AKGs have.

I think to get switchable cap AT's, you'd have to go to the 4050 series, which is substantially more (but are great mics).  http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/AT4051

I've run the AKG 91s and AT 3031s and you can't go wrong with either, but they are different creatures.  If it's important to have actives and switchable caps the AKGs are the way to go. If I just wanted a really nice card at a decent price, I'd listen to LMA samples and decide which I liked better, but I'd give the two AT models a hard look.

[obaaron]

gonna grab these for $400.  I do like the switchable capsule capabilities and that I can run them in an active set up at some point if I can find the right cables so I can still use the bodies if desired.  Listened to a few WSP shows recorded with them and sounded pretty darn good!

Thanks for the feedback everyone!