For most of us, the phrase "vintage microphone" conjures the image of an old-fashioned grilled device, with a radio or TV station's call letters emblazoned on its top or side. These are the mics Bing Crosby sang into, or that Orson Welles and his Mercury Theatre on the Air used to scare the bejeezus out of millions of people with the broadcast of "The War of the Worlds" on October 30, 1938. The most prized of these are called ribbon microphones.

Interviews & Articles

Testing 1, 2, 3: In Praise of the Vintage Microphone

I started my website on vintage microphones in 2001, for a couple of reasons. One was for the benefit of my students. I taught aud… [more]

Understanding Antique Radios

You've just acquired an old radio, but apart from the manufacturer's name on the front, you don't know a blessed thing about it. L… [more]

Vintage Transistor Radios of the 1950s and 60s

Perhaps you recently saw a picture of a cool looking pocket radio from the early 1960’s and were reminded of your carefree, youthf… [more]



Best of the Web (“Hall of Fame”)

Microphones

Microphones

Testing 1, 2, 3. Stan Coutant's tribute to the vintage mic is clear and vibrant. Start at the table of contents fo… [read review or visit site]

The Vintage Knob

The Vintage Knob

The Vintage Knob is an extensive resource on all types of audio electronics organized by manufacturer, from Aiwa to… [read review or visit site]

Jim's Antique Radio Museum

Jim's Antique Radio Museum

Jim Tripp's showcase of radios from the 1920s to late 1950s, organized by style and theme (wood, console, plastic, … [read review or visit site]

The Radio Attic's Archives

The Radio Attic's Archives

This photo gallery of over 7800 vintage radios, categorized by manufacturer and model number, is a group effort wit… [read review or visit site]

AntiqueRadios.com

AntiqueRadios.com

Alan Voorhees' reference resource for vintage radio collectors includes a photo gallery, article library, PDF archi… [read review or visit site]

Radiomuseum.org

Radiomuseum.org

This vast archive and community of radio collectors features over 120,000 radio model listings and 350,000 photos a… [read review or visit site]

Phil's Old Radios

Phil's Old Radios

This extensive collection of antique radios includes beautiful photos and detailed historical descriptions. The sit… [read review or visit site]

Radiophile.com

Radiophile.com

John Pelham's collection of wood and plastic radios from the 1930's and 40's. What sets this site apart is the deta… [read review or visit site]

Radio-Guy

Radio-Guy

Steve Erenberg's extremely wacky and well-done collection of vintage mad-scientist devices and contraptions. Writte… [read review or visit site]



Clubs & Associations: Electronics

Discussion Forums: Electronics

Other Great Reference Sites: Electronics

Top eBay Auctions

Showing 60. See all 161 by  highest bidmost watchedcompleted
Neumann M49b Condenser Tube Microphone Neumann M49b Vintage From Lomo 19a13 Best Vintage Russian Tube Condenser Microphone U47 U67Vintage Altec Lansing 1567a Power Amplifier And Tube Mic PreampVintage 1960s Old Rca 77 Art Deco Studio Ribbon Microphone + Multi-impedanceVintage "restored" Rca Type 77-dx MicrophoneBrowning Golden Eagle Mark Iva Cb Radio Iv Outfit With 776 Mic - VintageRare Vintage Alice Sm2 Analogue Mixer Consol 16 Mic Channel 8 Bus 4 CompressorsNeumann_ Um-57 Microphone ~ Vintage Neumann ** Good Condition ~ Western Electric 639 B Altec Ribbon MicrophoneAkg D12 Vintage Dynamic Cardioid Bass Drum Microphone With Xlr ConnectorCollins 12z-3 Tube Mic Pre Preamplifier Vintage 4-channelRare Reatheon Tube 3 Channel Mixer Mic Pre Amp Langevin Altec Collins Very CoolVintage Siltronix 1011d Comanche Complete Base Cb Frq Counter Meter Mic TubesTelefunken Td19 C (akg D19 C) Vintage Dynamic Cardioid Microphone + Xlr AdapterRca 77dx Microphone, Military, With Stand Two Vintage Shure 55s Microphone Shure A83b Plus A Lot Of Cables & Mic Cables Peerless 4665 Microphone Input Transformer. Rare, Vintage. High End Mic Pre. Rca 74b Junior Velocity Ribbon Microphone Untested - Parts -not Working???Vintage Sennheiser Md 409 U3 Microphone @Sennheiser Md421 Ii Dynamic Cardioid MicrophoneVintage Microphone Collection 3x Electro Voice 664 623 Shure Akg Ribbon Tube EtcOriginal Beyer Beyerdynamic M380 N - Bass / Kick Drum Vintage Dynamic MicrophoneExceptional Electro-voice 666 Broadcast MicrophoneVintage Reslo Rbh Ribbon Microphone W/ Cord Made In EnglandVintage Rca Ribbon Microphone Junior Velocity Mi-4036 74b 74 B Bi-directionalLegendary Shure Sm5b Studio Microphone Vintage Electrovoice Re20 Dynamic MicrophoneVintage Siltronix 1011 D Comanche Base/ Mobile W/ Original Desk Mic.Shure 55 Sh Micropohone "elvis Mic" Vintage StyleVintage Shure 315 Ribbon MicrophoneVintage Turner Cx Bullet Blues Harp Microphone Art DecoVintage Shure Model 55 Super Cardiod Mic Microphone W/ S36 Base Multi-impedance!2 Vintage Shure Brothers 545s Series 2 Unidyne Iii Dynamic Microphones *mint*Vintage Shure Pe55 Unidyne Dynamic Microphone Elvis Fat Boy 1950s With CableNice 1939 Satin Chrome Shure Model 7a Bullet Crystal Harp Microphone W/ ElementVintage 1950's Electro Voice Cardax 950 Microphone Old Used VintageVintage Turner U9s Searchlight Mic Microphone Ham Radio Military Transmitter AmVintage Astatic Bullet Microphone Model Ut 48 Cabinet Only No Mic InsideVintage Controller Reluctance Microphone With Extension CableVintage 1940s Old Electro Voice Jet Age Chrome " Fat Elvis " Radio Microphone Original Vintage Argonne Green Bullet Harp MicVintage Atlas Sound Microphone Stand Mic Light Lamp Industrial Look SteampunkAstatic Jt-30 Crystal Microphone High-impedance W/ Cord, Stand, BoxVintage 1950's Shure 55s Elvis Rockabilly Microphone With S36 Stand LqqkVintage Turner Dynamic Microphone Model S33d Music CollectibleVintage 2-way Studio Microphone Telefunken M611 Germany / 1960'sVintage Astatic Jt30 Bullet Bluesharp Harmonica Microphone$49 World Ship! ~akg Solidtube Tube Condenser Microphone Solid Tube C12 Vintage1950s Vintage Shure Model 55sh Series Ii Dynamic Unidyne Microphone!!Vintage 1960s Electro-voice 664 Dynamic Mic Microphone W/ Cable & Orig BoxVintage Turner Ssb-2 Transistorized Microphone With Dx Magnus Cb Control HeadVintage 1965 Citizen Mechanical Watch [citizen Super Deluxe 3star] 14kgf 80 MicShure M267 Vintage Field Mixer 4 Mic Preamps Limiter Circuit, Rack Mount Vintage 1950s Cb Ham Radio Astatic Old Ug8 Stand Matching Base Chrome MicrophoneGerman 1950's Microphone Tube Preamplifier Mv40562 Vintage Berlant Concertone 20/20 Tube Microphone Preamplifiers Matched Pair ++Vintage Turner Dynamic Model S-22d Microphone On A StandElectro Voice Ev Vintage Re11 Cardioid Dynamic MicrophoneShure Brothers Art Deco Bullet Microphone Model 707a. Element 99a47. Dated 9-46Pair Of Vintage Altec 633a Western Electric Harp Bullet Shaker Microphones

Recent News: Microphones

Source: Google News

MUSIC REVIEW | Todd Rundgren brings the unexpected to the Varsity Theater
Twin Cities Daily Planet, May 21st

Todd Rundgren was nicely visible on a platform center stage, surrounded by electronics and a vintage microphone overhead. He only picked up his guitar a couple times, which may have been disappointing to some, but his impressive vocal stamina more...Read more

Music Producer to the Stars, Wade Martin, Opens World's Best Recording Studio ...
PR Web (press release), May 16th

Not to mention a vintage microphone locker that you have to see to believe. Mr. Martin says that analogue hardware is still irreplaceable in the pro audio world nor are we even close to being able to replicate the workings of analogue and digital...Read more

Universal Audio Launches Ocean Way Studios Dynamic Room Modeling Plugin
SonicScoop, May 7th

Built upon UA's proprietary new Dynamic Room Modeling, Ocean Way Studios provides the unique ambience and dispersion properties of various sources in the rooms at Ocean Way, as recorded through a selection of rare vintage microphones that can be...Read more

Amy Dickson: Siren of seductive, late-night sax
Telegraph.co.uk, April 28th

To enhance the period effect, she and producer James McMillan recorded the tracks at Angel Studios in Islington, using vintage microphones in a room “where they have this specific wood panelling that gives you that particular sound”. It wouldn't weave...Read more