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musical instrument details
Vintage Capps 2030C Omni Tube Microphone w/ Original Box
Estimated price for orientation: 600 $
Category: Microphones and Wireless Systems
Class:
Description Condition: Used: An item that has been used previously. The item may have some signs of cosmetic wear, but is fully operational and functions as intended. This item may be a floor model or store return that has been used. See the seller’s listing for full details and description of any imperfections. See all condition definitions- opens in a new window or tab ... Read moreabout the condition Model: CM2250 Connectivity: Wired Brand: Capps Pickup Pattern: Omnidirectional Type: Condenser Microphone Bundled Items: Carry Case/Bag
Here's what I was able to dig up:
Frank Capps worked for Edison in the phonograph division. He was an inventor that developed a major break-through in Victrola technology. When the company closed in 1929, Capps founded a company whose single product was cutting styli for disc recording. He later went on to found the Capps Microphone company, first producing the Capps CM2250, a highly prized dynamic microphone used by audiophiles, engineers and research laboratories. These tube condensers were produced some years later - but the history is murky. It's my understanding that Capps widow took over the company when he passed away in 1943. So I'm not sure how many of these microphones were produced or even how long the Capps Microphone company was in business. What I do know is that they're found in the collections of many well-known studios around the world and no one is selling. This microphone is untested as I don't have a power supply. It was mentioned in a forum, "The preamp used a 5703 tube...the power supply furnishes 225 vdc and 6 vdc to power the unit. Should be fairly easy to clone a supply." Indigo Ranch had a pair. It's rumored Abbey Rhods does and I've confirmed Sear Sound in NYC does. Atlantic Records used to tout in print, on records, having used Capps Microphones on records in the late 50's - like John Coltrane's "Giant Steps". Simon & Garfunkel used a pair as audience microphones in a Central Park performance in the 1980's. Other famous producers, engineers that own(e)d them includes Don King, George Massenburg, Harvey Gerst and David Josephson. With a frequency response from 30hz to 15kHz, one application it's claimed to be great on are Leslie cabinets. Post in a forum: "I've been using a single one of these to record B3 this week and holy sh*t... wish I'd been using this mic all along! Now normally we use the old 3 mic technique but we were going for something a bit different this time so I tried the single Capps. Even the B3 player (who owns 7 different B3/Leslie rigs) said he never heard a single mic pick up everything from his B3 like this... not even a U47 (his words). He wants to borrow the Capps it in the future to record. The amount of cabinet to room sound is fantastic... it is now my "go to" mic when micing a Leslie cabinet with a single microphone... very highly recommended in this application! Now I need to try this omni puppy on acoustic guitar..." Acoustic guitar was my plan as well. Unfortunately, new, big bills mean that I have to sell it. You'll likely never see another like it and, in my view, I've well under priced it.
Description
| Condition: | Used: An item that has been used previously. The item may have some signs of cosmetic wear, but is fully operational and functions as intended. This item may be a floor model or store return that has been used. See the seller’s listing for full details and description of any imperfections. See all condition definitions- opens in a new window or tab ... Read moreabout the condition | Model: | CM2250 |
| Connectivity: | Wired | Brand: | Capps |
| Pickup Pattern: | Omnidirectional | Type: | Condenser Microphone |
| Bundled Items: | Carry Case/Bag |
Here's what I was able to dig up:
Frank Capps worked for Edison in the phonograph division. He was an inventor that developed a major break-through in Victrola technology. When the company closed in 1929, Capps founded a company whose single product was cutting styli for disc recording. He later went on to found the Capps Microphone company, first producing the Capps CM2250, a highly prized dynamic microphone used by audiophiles, engineers and research laboratories. These tube condensers were produced some years later - but the history is murky. It's my understanding that Capps widow took over the company when he passed away in 1943. So I'm not sure how many of these microphones were produced or even how long the Capps Microphone company was in business. What I do know is that they're found in the collections of many well-known studios around the world and no one is selling. This microphone is untested as I don't have a power supply. It was mentioned in a forum, "The preamp used a 5703 tube...the power supply furnishes 225 vdc and 6 vdc to power the unit. Should be fairly easy to clone a supply." Indigo Ranch had a pair. It's rumored Abbey Rhods does and I've confirmed Sear Sound in NYC does. Atlantic Records used to tout in print, on records, having used Capps Microphones on records in the late 50's - like John Coltrane's "Giant Steps". Simon & Garfunkel used a pair as audience microphones in a Central Park performance in the 1980's. Other famous producers, engineers that own(e)d them includes Don King, George Massenburg, Harvey Gerst and David Josephson. With a frequency response from 30hz to 15kHz, one application it's claimed to be great on are Leslie cabinets. Post in a forum: "I've been using a single one of these to record B3 this week and holy sh*t... wish I'd been using this mic all along! Now normally we use the old 3 mic technique but we were going for something a bit different this time so I tried the single Capps. Even the B3 player (who owns 7 different B3/Leslie rigs) said he never heard a single mic pick up everything from his B3 like this... not even a U47 (his words). He wants to borrow the Capps it in the future to record. The amount of cabinet to room sound is fantastic... it is now my "go to" mic when micing a Leslie cabinet with a single microphone... very highly recommended in this application! Now I need to try this omni puppy on acoustic guitar..." Acoustic guitar was my plan as well. Unfortunately, new, big bills mean that I have to sell it. You'll likely never see another like it and, in my view, I've well under priced it.
Frank Capps worked for Edison in the phonograph division. He was an inventor that developed a major break-through in Victrola technology. When the company closed in 1929, Capps founded a company whose single product was cutting styli for disc recording. He later went on to found the Capps Microphone company, first producing the Capps CM2250, a highly prized dynamic microphone used by audiophiles, engineers and research laboratories. These tube condensers were produced some years later - but the history is murky. It's my understanding that Capps widow took over the company when he passed away in 1943. So I'm not sure how many of these microphones were produced or even how long the Capps Microphone company was in business. What I do know is that they're found in the collections of many well-known studios around the world and no one is selling. This microphone is untested as I don't have a power supply. It was mentioned in a forum, "The preamp used a 5703 tube...the power supply furnishes 225 vdc and 6 vdc to power the unit. Should be fairly easy to clone a supply." Indigo Ranch had a pair. It's rumored Abbey Rhods does and I've confirmed Sear Sound in NYC does. Atlantic Records used to tout in print, on records, having used Capps Microphones on records in the late 50's - like John Coltrane's "Giant Steps". Simon & Garfunkel used a pair as audience microphones in a Central Park performance in the 1980's. Other famous producers, engineers that own(e)d them includes Don King, George Massenburg, Harvey Gerst and David Josephson. With a frequency response from 30hz to 15kHz, one application it's claimed to be great on are Leslie cabinets. Post in a forum: "I've been using a single one of these to record B3 this week and holy sh*t... wish I'd been using this mic all along! Now normally we use the old 3 mic technique but we were going for something a bit different this time so I tried the single Capps. Even the B3 player (who owns 7 different B3/Leslie rigs) said he never heard a single mic pick up everything from his B3 like this... not even a U47 (his words). He wants to borrow the Capps it in the future to record. The amount of cabinet to room sound is fantastic... it is now my "go to" mic when micing a Leslie cabinet with a single microphone... very highly recommended in this application! Now I need to try this omni puppy on acoustic guitar..." Acoustic guitar was my plan as well. Unfortunately, new, big bills mean that I have to sell it. You'll likely never see another like it and, in my view, I've well under priced it.