If I buy anything, especially ribbon mics, off eBay I always figure in extra cash to have it reconditioned. You never know what you're going to get. Plus if you like what you buy based on the condition you get it, buy another used one, then discover they sound radically different due to age and use ...

Although it's not easy to watch sometimes the Metallica vid is my one of my favorites. I'm surprised that no one mentioned This Is Spinal Tap (even though it isn't 'real' and the studio footage is scanty) I think the 5 minute studio scene is classic. There are plenty of other things I enjoy (guilt ...