Thanks for all your input. I'm gonna try and score some Beyers, cause like we say in Sweden (and probably everywhere else too): you buy cheap - you buy twice.
I re-eally can't afford it right now, but ah well.. just have to sell some gems from the record collection. *sobs like a girl*

vaka wrote: just have to sell some gems from the record collection. *sobs like a girl*

And you'll use the proceeds to make some great records of your own !

Rodabod wrote:Look into the Beyer M260.

Otherwise, if you decide to go Chinese, try Shinybox.

Or the Beyer 160. You've heard that ditty 'When the Levee Breaks' , right ?

You are spot on m.koren, spot on.
And yeah, that little tune rings a bell.

Beyer M260 looks like it's the most affordable one, but from what I've gathered scouring the forum is that even though it gets recommendations, it looks like the M500, M160, M320 all are favored over the M260.

If you go for an M260, go for the earlier model which does not have the M260.80 model name. The ".80" means it has a permanent bass roll-off which is not desirable in my opinion.

The M160 is generally better, but you'll pay more and it won't necessarily be better on all sources. The M500 is a funny one - I don't think it sounds that typical of a ribbon mic because of its brightness, excellent though it is.

Thanks Rodabod. Do you happen to know how high up it rolls off? 75-80Hz or so..? I'm thinking maybe a pair of M260 for drum overheads and a M160 for guitar cabs.

Below 80Hz (hence the .80). Compare the response charts to see actual steepness of the roll-off. It is implemented by making the transformer that way.

Rodabod wrote:Below 80Hz (hence the .80). Compare the response charts to see actual steepness of the roll-off. It is implemented by making the transformer that way.

Yeah, I should've been able to figure that out with my ass. If it rolls off at 80Hz I'm alright with it when it comes to drum overheads. For guits it's borderline... 6dB/oct is do-able, but anything steeper is less fun.

Cocksucking motherfucking fuck. I was outbid on the matched pair of M260's that was up on eBay. Goddamnit.

The only reason I didn't bid higher (I bid $362 and they went for $366) was that I double checked with the seller that they were in fact in perfect working condition but got the reply "I don't know cause I don't have cables with Tuchel, but the guy I got em from said they worked fine". I replied "so what if they're DOA?" and didn't get a response. The guy had 100% positive feedback, but still.

Rodabod, have you heard the ribbon beyers modded with the RCA 77 ribbon? And if not, have you heard anything being said about them?

vaka wrote:Rodabod, have you heard the ribbon beyers modded with the RCA 77 ribbon? And if not, have you heard anything being said about them?

Isn't this mod made by Stephen Sank? who seems to be pretty much an asshole, not to mention a crook. if I remember correctly, the 77 and m260 aren't mechanically the same, so I don't think this mod is possible. you want RCA 77? buy one, or something similar but cheaper.