Older vintage microphones tend to be big and heavy, with grills, and some of them can work pretty well (RCA is probably the biggest name in vintage microphones). But they can also be very fragile. The old ribbon mics can be ruined simply by blowing in them, so never blow into an old mic!
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To true audiophiles, this is a very complicated subject... but most of us just think of those big, old-style radio mics with the radio or T.V. station call letters on top and a famous celebrity crooning or talking into them.
The 1920s and 30s is when companies started making microphones that worked well. The original mics were large because they put big funnels inside. But in less than 10 years they figured out you didn’t need to use the big funnel to get good sound...
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Interviews & Articles
An Interview With Vintage Microphone Collector Stan Coutant
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]
Guest Column: 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]
Guest Column: Collecting 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
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]
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
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
Alan Voorhees' reference resource for vintage radio collectors includes a photo gallery, article library, PDF archi… [read review or visit site]
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]
Philcoradio.com
Ron Ramirez's comprehensive reference on the former Philadelphia Storage Battery Company and Philco Corporation. In… [read review or visit site]
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
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]
Tube Radio Land
Paul Turney's collection of tube radios from manufacturers like Zenith, Atwater-Kent, Philco, RCA, Emerson, Sparton… [read review or visit site]
Deco Radios
Tune in to Steve Davis' collection of 1930s and 40s Art Deco style radios, featuring stunningly crisp high resoluti… [read review or visit site]
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: Radios
- Antique Wireless Association
- Southeastern Antique Radio Society
- New Jersey Antique Radio Club
- British Vintage Wireless Society
- California Historical Radio Society
Discussion Forums: Radios
Other Great Reference Sites: Radios
Top eBay Auctions
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Recent News: Microphones
Source: Google News
JD McPherson to release Rounder Records debut “Signs and Signifiers” April 17
NewsOK.com (blog), January 31st
Featuring JD McPherson (lead and backing vocals, guitar), Jimmy Sutton (bass), and Alex Hall (drums, piano, organ), the album was recorded through a collection of vintage microphones into an old 1960's Berlant 1/4-inch tape machine...Read more
Ghost Brothers of Darkland County, the long-awaited collaboration between John ...
Something Else! Reviews, January 30th
It's not just that Mellencamp and Burnett used a half-century old monophonic tape recorder and a single, vintage microphone, without overdubs or other studio add-ons. Mellencamp has for some time been a voice for a rural world riven by change,...Read more
Miranda Lambert at 1st Mariner Arena: A spitfire with soul
Washington Post, January 27thWith the video screens having faded to black-and-white, Lambert picked up an antique microphone and retired to a fainting couch like some weary Hollywood goddess. She quickly shook off the misfire with a breezy cover of the Creedence Clearwater Revival...Read more
The Toledo Show - Harvelle's - 1/22/12
LA Weekly (blog), January 23rdCradling a vintage microphone, he roamed the black-and-white checkered floor, growling to a woman, "I'm the king of the jungle, baby." His band, The Cats, are nuanced and comfortable in the way only a band who have been playing together for years can...Read more
CES 2012 VIDEO: Imego's Retro Infinity Gold Series Headphones
here's how!, January 18th
The particular model in which Marketnews was shown, features gold-finished memory foam earcups that are decked out with replicated antique microphone designs on either side, and a genuine leather headband. Furthermore, this pair posseses 40mm drivers,...Read more
Wintergarden Farm
Antiques and Arts Weekly, January 13th
Original Box, 1927, Ornate Victorian Brass Hanging Planter, Seth Thomas Mantle Clcok, Westminster Chimes, Jung Hans” Carriage Clock, Early Oriental Jewelry Box with Jade, Early Wooden Bowl, Netskie Hippo, Vintage Microphones, Ambrotype-Shaker?...Read more
App Spotlight: Blip.me Voice Messaging App
13WMAZ, January 10th
When you press the button, the screen shifts to an image of an antique microphone as you record your message. When you release the button, your message is stopped, saved, and sent to the recipient of your choice. If you continue to exchange messages...Read more
PHOTOS: Reece Mastin's New Large Microphone Tattoo -- Too Much Too Early?
Take 40, January 8th
Teenage little rocker Reece Mastin has sat for his second ink session in a month it would seem -- getting a huge old school vintage microphone etched on his forearm! We think the ink looks awesome -- but if he's gone so hard so early, there might not...Read more
