After listening to some of my favorite singers recorded with AKG 480s, I later wound up springing for a couple of them when I found a great deal on a slightly used pair. I absolutely adore those mics on everything I've thrown at them so far,
Well, I'd have also suggested those mics too, but you're disregarding what he said in the first place, that his budget is $1200. You can't squeeze blood out of a turnip and we all have to compromise when we can't jump right to the ultimate quality gear we start out. So that's why I suggested that the C-42 or Peluso's seem to be amongst the most popular mics that have the biggest bang for buck at the $700 or so price point.
You do a new taper a disservice by telling them to check out the higher priced gear because it's only natural, in general, that the higher price stuff is gonna sound better, which in turn is gonna make someone potentially less than happy about a decision when they have to buy less.
Just my opinion...as usual.