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Author Topic: C414 "Comb" version  (Read 5637 times)

Donn

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C414 "Comb" version
« on: July 21, 2021, 07:15:23 PM »

Hello,

I have the opportunity to purchase a C414 non "EB" version (often called the "Comb" version). It's the type that has the removable cable connector with the permanently attached cable, and a serial number in the 1500's on the body of the mic.  My understanding is that these predate the "EB" version. This one, however, has a teflon ring on the capsule. Would this version originally have a teflon ring, or were these equipped with brass capsules?

Donn
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klaus

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Re: C414 "Comb" version
« Reply #1 on: July 21, 2021, 10:48:53 PM »

No 414Comb came with the Nylon (“Teflon”) surround. The mic’s original brass-screw capsule was changed out at some point, which sadly also removed most of this model’s attraction.
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Klaus Heyne
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Donn

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Re: C414 "Comb" version
« Reply #2 on: July 22, 2021, 06:05:31 PM »

Thanks for the information, Klaus

Did the Comb versions all come with the red painted backplates, or were some of them the older clear ones?

Donn
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klaus

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Re: C414 "Comb" version
« Reply #3 on: July 23, 2021, 11:35:48 AM »

The C414Comb, introduced as the C412 in 1970, and finalized with added hyper-cardioid pattern as c414comb in 1972, did not have red paint on the CK12 backplates but used opaque-lear backplates, like previous CK12 versions.
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Klaus Heyne
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David Satz

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Re: C414 "Comb" version
« Reply #4 on: August 10, 2021, 09:20:42 AM »

Klaus, what sense do you / did you make of AKG's use of "Comb."? What did it indicate that was different from microphones that didn't have "Comb." in their names? That has never been clear to me.

--best regards
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klaus

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Re: C414 "Comb" version
« Reply #5 on: August 10, 2021, 12:15:43 PM »

It was explained to me by AKG's then technical director who also was in charge of the development of the model that "Comb" was chosen because it was the company's first mic whose patterns could be selected (combined) directly on the mic itself. (The ELA M251, which preceded the 414 as a mic with a pattern switch, was commissioned, named and marketed by Telefunken.)

As naming of mics is usually done by marketing, and not by R/D-lab coat types, I believe he, too, might have been speculating, as we are still today.
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Klaus Heyne
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soapfoot

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Re: C414 "Comb" version
« Reply #6 on: August 10, 2021, 02:02:52 PM »

Speaking of speculation:

Since this was (I believe) AKG's first model to offer four patterns, I always wondered whether there might've been another word (perhaps even German?) that could stand in for "supercardioid," as the mic's patterns (in order) were:

Cardioid, Omni, (M?), Bidirectional

But I've never been able to come up with a suitable "M" word, so it seems likely that the order of the other three are just coincidence.

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Kai

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Re: C414 "Comb" version
« Reply #7 on: August 11, 2021, 11:11:07 AM »

I have no explanation for the name, but found a nice history of the AKG C 414, including a sound comparison professionally done:
https://sonicscoop.com/2016/10/27/curing-condenser-confusion-an-audio-history-of-the-akg-c-414-2/?singlepage=1
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gtoledo3

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Re: C414 "Comb" version
« Reply #8 on: August 11, 2021, 02:38:16 PM »

I think “comb” refers to the offering of the mic as a full kit including in this instance the same phantom PSU that could also work with 451 mics, and whatever else would come with the “full package”. Kind of analogous to a Neumann Set Z. Note the mics have “414” engraved, iirc, not “414 COMB”.

AKG offered other mics in “comb” packages and non-comb (like the 480, others as well), and in those cases the difference seems to be that you get a base selection of items that work together, not the mic ala carte.

note p12: https://www.manualslib.com/manual/362186/Akg-C-480-B.html?page=12#manual

or here, 451 E, EB comb:

https://mpe.berklee.edu/documents/studio/manuals/microphone/AKG%20C451%20E/AKG%20451E.pdf

In the manual above it is noted that all “451E comb” specs are with the CK1, all “451E” specs are without CK1. It used to be that you could buy 451E, 451EB bodies as well as CK1 as individual products, but if you bought a 451EB comb, it would be the 451EB body with a CK1 and measurement plot, and the case.

Can’t seem to find a manual or catalog for the relevant years of 414 though.

I think something like this having a “comb” listing precludes comb referring to multi-pattern. https://www.akg.com/support/C747+comb_.html

So, I think comb is akin to combo, combination, a predefined kit of sorts.
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gtoledo3

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Re: C414 "Comb" version
« Reply #9 on: August 11, 2021, 10:11:47 PM »

This manual made when the 414EB was current refers to “complete microphone combinations” and uses “combination” in the same way “comb” is used in other AKG materials. Later it invoked the comb abbreviation within its pages.

http://lcweb2.loc.gov/master/mbrs/recording_preservation/manuals/AKG%20Professional%20Microphones%20and%20Accessories%20(brochure).pdf

On page 27, it lists C414EB Remote Comb. Comb package comes with a S42-E1 psu, which can also do remote pattern control and power two units, a stand mount, a windscreen and case.

I think that the original 414, non EB, came with a simpler PSU when sold in its “414 comb”
package.
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gtoledo3

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Re: C414 "Comb" version
« Reply #10 on: August 16, 2021, 01:44:15 PM »

I did a little more research, and though there seemed to be no interest in my last post, I’ll share the additional facts anyway, summarized.

None of the early product release advertisements for the AKG C414 refer to it as a C414 COMB. The review for it in Studio Sound does not, nor is it referred to that way in the mic survey articles, which summarize all of the current mic models from a variety of manufacturers.

The AKG catalog which features C412 and C414 has no reference to COMB, though there is a single reference to a C451 combined package. I could not determine the date of this catalog. It likely 1972 or possibly like a 1972/1973 holiday season catalog.

A 1973 catalog lists C414 (no C412), but again, no comb references.

Ads for C414 seem to appear in Feb 1973. The 1975 review of the C414 in Studio Sound has no comb references, but seems to suggest that at that time AKG is working on what is to become the E or EB version of the circuit. They do talk about the phantom PSU and issues when the 9V version battery drains.

There are several references to “combined”, “comb.”, and “comb” throughout AKG literature, which all seem to suggest that comb refers to some combination of AKG products sold as a single unit. If there ever really was an AKG C414 COMB, I would assume it to not refer to the mic itself, but whatever was sold as a fleshed out mic package for it, as I have already stated above.

The only time I can actually remember seeing a reference to a 414 COMB from AKG itself was in a historical retrospective article that they made some years back, where it kind of walks through the years in a timeline fashion. At this point I think there is a strong chance that is actually in error.

As a side note, in AKG parlance, E seems to represent an additional circuit revision, and B seems to indicate bass rolloff.
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klaus

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Re: C414 "Comb" version
« Reply #11 on: August 16, 2021, 02:50:16 PM »

Thank you for your research!

Please never judge interest in forum articles by the amount of responses. There are "chatty" forums, and there are information-based ones (I hope this one is in the latter category).

Best,
KH
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David Satz

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Re: C414 "Comb" version
« Reply #12 on: August 16, 2021, 05:10:47 PM »

From all this I think it's clear that "Comb." refers to a package with a set price for a microphone plus accessories. What the representative told you, Klaus, must have been wrong as you seem to have suspected. For example the C 451 "Comb." includes only one capsule, which doesn't have a switchable pattern. And gtoledo3, thank you for your very accurate information.

Attached are parts of AKG's price lists from 1963 and 1968 respectively showing the use of "Comb." which is explicitly spelled out in the earlier example. This 1963 list also features condenser microphones (C 12, C 24, C 28 A - 29 A - 30 A, C 260) with no "Comb."s among them--but curiously, it lists a "C 28/29/30 A Set" (see attached, third image).

--best regards
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klaus

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Re: C414 "Comb" version
« Reply #13 on: August 16, 2021, 07:17:22 PM »

Very informative, David, Thanks!
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Klaus Heyne
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soapfoot

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Re: C414 "Comb" version
« Reply #14 on: August 19, 2021, 09:15:40 AM »

Great information here! Thanks George (and everyone).
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gtoledo3

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Re: C414 "Comb" version
« Reply #15 on: August 19, 2021, 05:10:55 PM »

Point taken Klaus, and thanks David, Brad.

I was looking into something else today and happened to notice a document that clarifies something above:

https://www.akg.com/on/demandware.static/-/Sites-masterCatalog_Harman/default/dwab2b98cc/pdfs/CMSE.pdf

So, correcting/amplifying a point above; “E” stands for XLR connector, 100% certainty. 

At some point after the initial C451, the AKG catalogs begin to list AKG C451C as well as C451E, in addition to CB, EB, and 452 variants. The catalog description states that C in this position (post numbering) is a DIN connection, E is XLR.

I may put all of the substantiation of the points mentioned earlier in the thread, in a dropbox folder or on imgur at some point.

edit: Oh, I now see the attachment field I failed to notice earlier. Many points were covered, I’ll try to post some of the more relevant stuff in the near future. And it is nice to see even earlier examples David!
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David Satz

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Re: C414 "Comb" version
« Reply #16 on: August 20, 2021, 04:11:03 PM »

E = export = XLR
C = continental = Tuchel (back then)
L = Lemo for the ÖRF (Austrian national broadcasting network)

which could be combined with:
B = bass control (low-cut switch)

so EB = microphone with XLR output and low-cut switch

452 = 451 with one resistor different, so that current draw at 48 Volts would be somewhat reduced (it was about 5.5 mA for the C 451, back when the DIN standard was still 2 mA maximum). However, as a result the 452 requires 48 Volt powering, whereas the 451 could accept 9 - 52 Volts. And even the 452 required ca. 3 mA. Back then, AKG and Schoeps' Colette system were like "outlaws" until the DIN standard was revised to allow a maximum of 10 mA/microphone at 48 Volts.
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gtoledo3

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Re: C414 "Comb" version
« Reply #17 on: March 04, 2022, 09:52:07 AM »

I was reminded of this thread today when looking at these fraudulent Reverb listings for C4 heads and brass CK12.

The seller has obviously taken a red band CK12 from one of the C4 heads they have for sale, and is choosing to inaccurately describe it as from C12/251: https://reverb.com/item/51525768-akg-brass-ck-12-red-band-c12-251-capsule-1960s-brass

In my book these should be at a much lower price, and definitely not described this way.

And here are the C4 heads…for some reason with “Teflon” CK12. What a “coincidence”!

https://reverb.com/item/51541818-akg-ck-4-stereo-pair-figure-8-ldc-for-c28-c60-c61-451-pristine-mates-early-teflon-ck12
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panman

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Re: C414 "Comb" version
« Reply #18 on: March 04, 2022, 11:00:28 AM »

And here are the C4 heads…for some reason with “teflon” CK12. What a “coincidence”!

https://reverb.com/item/51541818-akg-ck-4-stereo-pair-figure-8-ldc-for-c28-c60-c61-451-pristine-mates-early-teflon-ck12

Oh yes, surely a "coincidence" just like the mad price.
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Esa Tervala

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Re: C414 "Comb" version
« Reply #19 on: June 24, 2022, 02:00:32 PM »

Did the CK4 head ever come with brass ring capsules? I thought it only ever came with the nylon ones.

Either way that listing is taking the mickey. There was a seller on UK eBay a couple of weeks ago who auctioned three pairs of CK4 heads, I think only one of the auctions went above £1k.
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gtoledo3

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Re: C414 "Comb" version
« Reply #20 on: June 24, 2022, 04:40:52 PM »

It’s my understanding that they only ever had brass CK12 though if you sent something back to AKG for repair they would often just replace it with the newer simple capsule.

I’m about 99% sure anyone takes the time to look through the catalogs and years they will also notice that the only time that a CK4 was available was for a very short period, and it was years before any akg mic came with the “nylon” simplified version. iirc.
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Peller

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Re: C414 "Comb" version
« Reply #21 on: June 24, 2022, 05:27:28 PM »

The Saturn Sound website states that the CK4 had nylon ring CK12s, and I'm sure I have read that elsewhere too. Never seen one in the flesh though.

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gtoledo3

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Re: C414 "Comb" version
« Reply #22 on: June 24, 2022, 06:51:56 PM »

I’m noting that I see C4 heads in the 1978 catalog, concurrent with models that had brass CK12.

By 1981, there is finally a 414EB-P48. There is also still the C4 head available.

The general thought is that the nylon capsule started with the P48, or the earliest maybe still had brass.

So there is possibly some overlap with C4 production and nylon capsule, possibly not.

The first years of production would not have been during the era where nylon ck12 were available with all due respect to Saturn Sound’s statement. When people first figured out that you could get brass CK12 out of C4 they went nuts. I have never heard of a nylon capsule being in there stock, but I guess it’s possible.

If anyone has an empty C4 minus capsule they’d like to get rid of for a reasonable price feel free to reach out. For awhile there was a company named Chameleon Labs which also made a compatible LDC head, but you rarely see them either.
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klaus

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Re: C414 "Comb" version
« Reply #23 on: June 24, 2022, 07:28:44 PM »

Some historic AKG (capsule) facts:
The brass ring CK12 capsule which was installed in C414EB starting in 1976 was replaced in mid-to-late 1978 with the Nylon version for the rest of the model run.

As far as my records indicate, all other LD mics using a CK12 were also transitioned at that time to the Nylon version, therefore by definition the C414EB-P48, which was introduced in 1980 used the Nylon capsule.
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Klaus Heyne
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gtoledo3

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Re: C414 "Comb" version
« Reply #24 on: June 24, 2022, 08:49:58 PM »

Glad for the clarification on that.
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RCAguy

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Re: C414 "Comb" version
« Reply #25 on: October 23, 2023, 12:11:11 PM »

An oldie but a goodie thread.  I have two C414combi aka kombi specimens purchased 1974: one works, the other doesn't.  The working one has a brass\screwed CK12, but at some point the non-working one must have been sent to AKG for repair, as it how has a nylon -0009 capsule.  It took three of us to diagnose the problem as a shorted 33uF capacitor on the amplifier (Verstarker) PCB.  Can anyone offer help?
 
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