llllllllllllllllllll wrote: Tue Jul 08, 2025 10:24 pm I’m still working on selling a bunch of stuff to break even 6 channels of Spectra mic amps and compressors (and this fucking PLUMBER), but what’s the going rate for a zenmarket Sony 38(b) that I can be pretty confident in the condition of?

I haven't been paying super close attention to c38bs lately, but depending on what shape they're in, and whether they include a case, like 60,000 JPY and up. Sometimes you can snag one a bit cheaper. It's real hit and miss depending on who else is out there going for stuff. C38Bs are very common though so don't feel like you need to rush into it.

My last 2 shipments for the foreseeable future are on their way. I sat on some shipments a little too long and didn't get things through before the tariff hammer dropped, and jebus the tariffs are bullshit. All in I've spent waaaaay too much money on this whole binge, and wrapping it up with some extra duties I guess is the cherry on top. That said, I got a bunch of cool ass shit (some needs some repair, but what doesn't)

Some highlights:
Pair of Sony C-48's
Pair of Sony C-37P's
Pair of Sony C-38B's (plus a parts mic)
5x Roland Space echoes (2x 150's, 2x 101's and a 201)
Mirano Echo Chamber
6x Aiwa VM-20 ribbons
8x or so Aiwa DM-68's (Aiwa's answer to the AKG D19)
5x or 6x Sony C55AC's
4x Aiwa VM-16 ribbons.
EV 666
3x toshiba Type G's (one NHK version)
Toshiba Type F
Toshiba Type C
Aiwa VM 17S ribbon (NHK version)
National Condenser (not sure of the model, but the Technics version is model RP-3890C)
A Bunch of Sony C357's and some C350's and C355's
Sony C450
Some Yamaha MZ snare mics

Most of it works. A lot of mics could use new cables, some need new foam and such, I think there's one or two ribbons that could use a new ribbon. Space echos mostly work, with a few little quirks.
Not everything was *great* deal, but still significantly better than ebay/reverb/offerup/marketplace prices, even with shipping. Anyway, maybe someday the tariffs will go away and I'll have some disposable income again and I'll go for some other stuff, but I think I've scratched this itch pretty well over the past year.
Still need to give a bunch of this stuff a once-over and then hopefully it will see some action.

That is a bunch of killer stuff. I really love the C38B - it’s got a color voiced for what I like to hear on everything I put in front of it.

Btw vocals were the one thing I was having trouble making the Sony C38B work for, but today I found out that 2 db of a 10k shelf and (crucially) another 2 db wide at cut 500 hz when tracking and I was golden. Last night it was muffled and today it was perf.

I kept trying to brighten or change the low end of the mic to make it work when all it needed was a low mid cut.

The pickup of that mic is also kind of weird for a condenser, doesn’t seem as wide. It really is like a cross between a condenser, ribbon, and dynamic. I could still rock 3 more of them and be happy. $800 is a lot of money but I can’t imagine getting a better character condenser mic than the C38B for that much.