For the vast majority of people, these prices put items like this out of consideration. But researching, locating, testing, and purchasing lesser-known instruments and devices from the past can yield some fantastic results.
In our search to learn about some of the less-obvious paths that a person interested in such old gear might travel, we spoke with Mark Rubel, owner of Pogo Studios, located in Champaign, Illinois. Mark has been finding and collecting vintage instruments and recording equipment for many years, and his studio is home to dozens of rare and wonderful items. His recording credits include projects with Hum, Alison Krauss, Adrian Belew, Melanie, Luther Allison, and Henry Butler, including work for RCA, Capitol, Warner, and Jive/Zomba. He also teaches music technology and recording at Eastern Illinois University, where his students often ask him about his interests in vintage gear.
“I tell my students that just because something is old or has tubes, it doesn’t make it good. That said, there are certain pieces from what we might call the golden age of technology, the mid-1940s to the mid-1970s, that have become classics.”
“Why are they classics? Maybe they offer a particular sound, one that is immediately recognizable, or are ergonomically designed and are intuitive to use. Beyond those reasons, I like vintage gear because of the cultural, emotional, and psychological value they may offer. You know, the sound of this stuff is a kind of a connection with recording history.”
Mark actually began purchasing vintage equipment when he first started his studio in 1980. “It was mainly because we couldn’t afford to buy the newest and best equipment at that time. So I’d get on the phone and call studios in New York or LA and ask whether they might be interested in selling a small start-up studio in the middle of the country some of their old gear. And the funny thing was, a number of them said ‘yes.’ That’s how we ended up with a part of the original Studio A console from Universal Recording in Chicago, which was built by Bill Putnam, Sr., a legendary audio designer.
“I think there’s a visceral reaction, a kind of immediate feeling you get when you hear some of these pieces of gear. For instance, a vintage Tele, a Vox AC-30, or a 60s combo organ. You hear it and say ‘There it is! That’s the sound!’
“As sophisticated as today’s synthesizers and virtual instruments have become, there’s a certain essence to the original article. Take a Hammond B-3. It has a sensual personality, which even if its sound wasn’t a part of our musical DNA, would probably be cool for anyone first touching it and hearing it for the first time. The same goes for tubes and certain microphones, you hear them and the sound is somehow familiar. I don’t know that anyone, decades from now, is going to be missing the sound of an MP3 and Auto-tune. I also like the fact that on a lot of vintage gear, there are two knobs and one switch for controls, rather than pages and pages of menus and sub-menus.”
Classic Gear
In our discussions about vintage gear in general terms, Mark identified some rare gems and a few affordable pieces. “Many of the older microphones are iconic and highly prized. All of the old ribbon microphones from RCA are classics, along with a few of their dynamics. Old tube mics made by Neumann, AKG, and Telefunken are all collector’s items today.
“I’m pleased with the comeback of ribbon mics, today you can buy very nice ribbon mics from Coles, AEA, or the Cascade Fat Heads, which offer great value. I’d even call them modern-day classics. I think the comeback is due in part to the fact that ribbons are well-suited to the type of recording medium we now use – digital, they have a naturally dark sound, in part because their design. Condenser mics that were the gold standard in previous years, were better suited to recording on analog tape. The condensers have a resonance around 10-12K that helps minimize the high end loss that is inherent in analog recording when you are dragging the tape across the heads hundreds of times making a record.
“The UREI compressors still sound amazing today. I was just using my LA-3A limiters the other day and marveling at how much you can compress a signal and still have it sound very musical. Any of the old tube broadcast compressors made by Collins, Gates, or Fairchild are rare and in great demand. Old spring reverbs are fun and not very much money.
I’ve grown fond of the Roland Space Echo. It has a nice sound of its own. I always make sure to show my students how it works and to also route it back into itself to show them how tape feedback works, speeding it up and slowing it down – which is basically the sound from nearly every sci-fi movie from the 1950s.”
Combo Instruments
“When it comes to old guitars, beyond the Gibsons, Gretschs, and Strats which are so expensive, I’m fond of Baldwin guitars. They were made between 1965-1970 by Burns of London, who made their own models as well as the Vox line of guitars. The guitar player in my band has a solid body Baldwin electric with two or three pickups and a toggle switch labeled, ‘Jazz – Rock 1 – Rock 2 – Wild Dog’ – that’s pretty cool!
“At one point in the 1970s Rickenbacker made an electric guitar – Model 331 – with a color organ inside, so as you played, the guitar created its own light show. A few Japanese guitars from the 1970s are interesting, especially those by Tiesco and some of the early Yamahas, which were space-age looking. Ovation also made some solid body guitars with ridiculous names that were really ugly but well made with excellent wood and a lot of mass. I have a Magnum bass from that line and it has a built-in graphic equalizer, a graphite neck and a big rubber mute to get the deadened bass sound popular at that time.
“Two companies that are making affordable retro-style guitars are Eastwood and Italia, both of which have that cool 1950s look, an homage to some of the classic solid bodies from that era.
“Old amps come in various sizes, but if it has tubes, it’s likely to be worth trying out. Two lesser-known brands are Magnatone and Garnet. Garnet amps were made in Canada. I think that Steve Albini and I may be the only people who collect Garnet amps. (Ed. Note: Thomas “Gar” Gillies, a sound technician who collaborated with the Guess Who and Bachman-Turner Overdrive, made them.) There was the “Pro” model, and the BTO (Big Time Operator), which had really interesting labels for its tone controls. They were labeled “Sound Fountain,” and the distortion control was called “Stinger.” They sound a bit like vintage Orange or Hi Watt amps from that period. You can find them from time to time on Canadian eBay.
“I’ve got a Garnet Herzog, which is a small tube amp that you can use with a separate cabinet. It’s about 15 watts. However, it was really designed as a pre amp to get loads of sustain by hooking its output up to another larger tube amp’s input. In fact, the classic sustaining solo guitar featured on the Guess Who hit “American Woman” was cut with Randy Bachman’s Herzog.
“Older synths can be fun to play with – I have a vintage Moog 900 five-oscillator system and an ARP 2600 in my collection. I also love the sound of an old combo organ, like the Vox Continental. There’s a certain obnoxious whine that comes from it that screams 1960s. Stomp boxes can be fun to collect, as they are small and relatively affordable. I have an Electro-Harmonix guitar synthesizer, which has an octave pedal and a fuzz, but a few years back, they reissued it, so mine isn’t as rare anymore. It’s has a triggerable hi- or low-pass filter which is pretty cool. I had a Foxx Tone fuzz for a while which was nice, but I ended up giving it to Adrian Belew who uses it now.
“Actually, today there are a lot of nice boutique pedals being made by small shops, so there are both new and vintage pedals that are collectible. The Danelectro line of pedals have some very good products in the $30-50 range like the Chili Dog and Tuna Melt, which are fun to use. I do think the weird parts that some of the older pedal manufacturers used have aged and now sound even weirder. For instance, if you have an original Cry Baby wah, its squally-sounding and can really honk more than a new one.”
Vintage Shopping Tips
So is there any overriding philosophy Mark would offer for collecting and using vintage gear?
“Just explore and see what’s out there. Use your ears and if it sounds good or weird, it maybe worth purchasing. Basically, I would say if it has any of these three things, a big knob, some type of meter, or a tube in it that lights up, it’s probably worth buying if it’s less than $50. If it’s a pedal, or wah-wah, or some other small device and it works, I’d say $20 is a good range. Craigslist has become the new garage sale and has really replaced eBay as the place for finding these things. eBay is really more of a seller’s market.”
The final question that often comes up in discussions about vintage gear, is whether or not it really is better than the new gear being made today.
Mark says, “Very likely, yes. The main reason is that in the case of what we would use for recording, it was built to either a broadcast or a military specification that was intended to last for 50 or more years. My friend, engineer Bob Ohlsson, reminded me that companies like RCA, Gates, and Collins actually leased their equipment to radio stations, so they really overbuilt their gear, because if there was a problem, they would have to go out to fix it. As a result, it was really designed and made with the best possible quality components.
“Basically, if it’s got a tube in it, it likely will sound better. Tubes do have a pleasing effect, but to work properly, pairing them with a good quality transformer is essential.”
Story Links
- Meet Mark Rubel in this video profile from Illinois Public Television
- Pogo Studios (Be sure to check out the virtual tour with 360-degree views of the studio)
- Bill Putnam, Sr., sometimes referred to as the “father of modern recording”
- The classic RCA ribbon mics and Neumann’s historic U 47 are pictured on this web page titled:
“12 Microphones That Changed History” - Burns- Baldwin Guitar History
- “Retro” Guitars Currently in Production:
Italia Guitars
Eastwood Guitars - Danelectro pedals and products
- Magnatone Amps Archive
- Garnet Amps
- Randy Bachman describing the invention of the Herzog preamp
I am selling the twin of the RCA console used in Nashville’s RCA Studio B during the 70’s. This studio is credited with making Nashville a recording mecca and was Elvis Presley’s preferred studio. (over 150 recordings). We believe there were only 4 made. Interested?
Check out this great site..
http://www.vintageandrare.com
Anybody looking for a Roland Space Echo RE201, I have one in very, very, very. good condition.Just like the one shown above in the search of vintage gear with Mark Rubel. Highest offer so far is 750.00. randyhammonds@att.net.
Randy Bachman describing the invention of the Herzog preamp
link has missing “m” at the end:
http://www.garnetamps.com/zog_story.htm
Fairchild model 219 tube mastering unit? Compressor? Lathe cutting electronics? Trying to find info on this rack mount unit. It appears to be from the 1940’s by Fairchild NY.
Hello William,
Please email me about the model 219
tom1356@hotmail.com
I have a very nice and clean vintage Roland TB-303 Bass Line and Roland TR-606 Drummatrix, both with original manuals and original carrying cases
Anyone interested in a Shure Vocal Master head (low imp) with 4 Shure monitor colums. I got the whole system a few years back and they had just come out of their packaging creates. I’ve used the system only a few times. I’ll provide photos if interested. I’ve been sound since 1970 so I’ve learned to take care of my equipment.
rfb3473at gmaildot com
Ralph
Hey folks, I buy/ sell used and vintage gear- mainly old Gibson, Fender and Martin guitars and any good valve amps or vintage guitar speaker cabs with original speakers- am looking to network with collectors who are interested in buying any of the above globally- I;m in South Africa. Many thanks!!
Dear Marc…. I have 1961 stereo custom ES335 Gibson Guitar that ive used in the recordings in the past.that
was custom made at Gibson for my specs.
I also have 5 other guitars (fender jazzmaster ,fender tele ) that are in my possession, I have an E-Mail
with credits on albums and singles I’ve played on. Only serious minded need apply.
George
Can you tell me the value of a Rek-O-Kut “Challenger” portable professional Disc Recorder and Playback Reproducer. Cuts acetate discs and has a 218 lines per inch lathe drive for micro-groove. (Turntable speed is 33 1/3 and 78 rpm.) I bought it new in 1952 and it is in a MINT CONDITION. I used it to cut top quality discs for the Buffalo NY Philharmonic and for Joseph Krips the conductor. I drove to the plant in NYC and bought it home in my car so it was never shipped.
Thanks for any info you can give me.
Kirke (I’m 85 and still recording CD’s and DVD’s)
Have a blackface 66 Fender Twin in excellent shape. Anyone know the best place to post an ad besides Craigs List?
Interested in contact info for Mark. I have
a 1898-1910 Gibson Acustic Harp guitar
in original case, great condition. I am interested
in selling to a collector, it’s a very rare find.
Thanks ,
dgilmore
Might you be interested in a working 1960s 1″ Ampex Video Tape Recorder?
I have a mint condition Selmer Mark VI Tenor Saxophone Serial No. 103,xxx Made in 1962
Like brand new ……Mint…..If interested , my e-mail is jgrisbacher@yahoo.com
Re: the 1968 Ludwig Mod Orang kit: I am not sure what the kit is worth at this time. Tomorrow Iam taking it to a friend of mine who is the drummer for the “Sauce Boss” (Flordia act that is currently touring my area) and he is going to play it at a gig in Toledo, Ohio. He is a big collector (on tour Jason plays a 50’s Slingerland kit) and may be able to give me an idea of Ludwig kit’s current worth. He offered me $1,200.00 sight unseen. My home email is tdavis29@woh.rr.com
This kit has been stored in cases in my home closet most of it’s 42 year life.
Tom Davis
A MINT almost out oif the box …..SELMER MARK VI Tenor Saxophone 103,XXX circa 1962
A MINT almost out oif the box …..SELMER MARK VI 103,XXX circa 1962
I have a Model M79 3M 16 track 2″ recorder in excellant condition. Also Nueman/ Akg/ Shure/ etc microphones and much other excellant gear. I am retiring from the recording Studio business and want to sell out. Call me if serious buyer ……. Maury Finney 218-773-2006..or send email..
I have an old Electro-comp synthesizer, pre mini-moog. One of the first. Not sure I want to sell, but it would depend on the value. Does anyone know any appraisal sites?
I have a Nortronics RA 100 tube recording amplifier.
Link correction-
Voltage Guitars is Hollywood’s oldest, largest and most established vintage guitar store, specializing in fine american stringed instruments. Serving the stars since 1982, we’ve got that special instrument you’ve been looking for.
Voltage Guitars is Hollywood’s oldest, largest and most established vintage guitar store, specializing in fine american stringed instruments. Serving the stars since 1982, we’ve got that special instrument you’ve been looking for.
Can you recommend someone in the Nashville area that might be interested in a Martin Mandolin 1952, a Martin D-18 1973,
Gibson Electric Les Paul Custom 1972, Yamaha Classical guitar 1962, a Peavy Session 400m amp 1980…..
We are trying to sell these items.
Thanks for your reply
Arlene Faith
Have you tried Gruhn Guitars? http://www.gruhn.com/
We have a Ampex MM100 2 inch, 30 ips 16 track recording machine with the RCA studios tag still on it.
Dawn
I have a ’62 or ’63 Fender spring reverb in like-new condition.
If anyone is interested, please e-mail.
c
Carl,
Do you have any pdf pictures you can e-mail to me? If so, please do.
Perhaps at this point I might suggest we have a live conversation. I live in Phoenix, AZ and my contact info is noted below.
Thank you and I look forward to your e-mail reply or a phone call.
Pat H
(602) 625-6257 mobile
(602) 749-0811 home/office
Pat.Hartnett@cox.net
just picked up a 60s Univox Super Fuzz
I have an old Marshall 2X12 cabinet, was told it was two greenback speakers when I bought it maybe 15 years ago or so. (30 watt I think) but I haven’t pulled the back off the cabinet to check. It is 23 inches high and 28 and 1/2 inches wide, with an offset screen (set deeper from cabinet edge at top than at the bottom). There is white piping along the edges of the screen, the black checks or squares on the grayish screen are about one half inch wide. The plate on the back near the bottom on the back says Made in England, the serial number plate is held on by two staples of some sort of a brass-like color, and it says serial no. A02948. Years ago I was told it was something special, and woth more than the average cabinet. Is this really something special and does the serial number clue me in to the age? Can anybody help?
have a 1974 fender pa 100 tube amp with matching set of colum speakers(very good cond.). for sale. respond to redriverusa@hotmail.com
I have some new/old tubes,Shure 55 Mics,Ev,’s Mics.Contact by e-mail.
What great and informative research is this.
I have a Hammond B-3 with a Leslie
I have a Clavinet
Can you tell me how much the organ Hammond B-3 value is, The one I have is in excellent condition.
Thanks a lot
I have a Hohner D6 clavinet, late 70s vintage that needs some work but would part with for the right price.
I Have an early JP-8 with a midi adapter . It needs a little maintenamce . Would like to find it a good home.
I bought it new in 83.
I have a Ludwig 4 piece drum kit I bought new in 1968. At the time it was called the Ludwig Deluxe Classic outfit. I still have the special effects 10″ rivit cymbal that came with it. It is the MOD ORANGE finish. I have been the only owner and it is in excellent condition. I would like to sell it to someone who would appreciate it for the classic kit it is. 22″ BD / 14″ Supra Phonic chrome snare / 13 ” TT / 16″ FT.
Tom Davis
How much do you want for the kit?
$4,000.00 for the kit. I recently turned down $2350.00. One owner kit (me) since 1968. I can send photos.
Tom Davis
I’m interested in the kit…tell me more please
thetiltedlab[at]gmail{dot}com
I recorded at Mark’s studio in 2001, great place and his band is a rock’n good time!
i have a 1972 marshall 4×12 slant cabinet for sale in good shape-reply if interested
Interested in the 72 Marshall 4 12 cab, please send pics and price to bpgkch@yahoo dotcom. Spelled it out to keep bots from picking it up and spamming my account.
THanks!
Have several pieces of vintage analog studio gear I would love to sell. I owned a studio years ago…Tascam 85-16 B 16 track recorder; Teac 80-8 8 track recorder; Allen & Heath Syncon B Board, 2 Otari MX 5050 2 track recorders, and more…please respond to email address if interested
I own a small recording studio in Brockton Ma is the 16 track a 0ne inch machine
thanks for your time Lou
Still have your 85-16?
Ron, I have a friend who is looking for a half track machine, do you still have either of your Otari 5050’s?
If so please respond and let me know what your asking prices are, I will relay to him.
Thanks.
Hi ! Do you still have the Tascam 85-16b ? Did sync it with others + I need info on this .
Thanks
Trygve Thue
Bergen Norway
I have an LA-4 compressor for sale.
Do you buy vintage guitars and amps? Can you recomend an honest buyer?
Thank you for your time,
John