Thank you for looking at my offerings! I live in Japan, and I’ve been collecting musical instruments and microphones for many years. 5 years ago, there were many vintage guitars available, but after COVID, vintage Japanese guitars became scarce.

 Finding vintage Japanese microphones is becoming nearly impossible.

 Please consider this perhaps a final chance to fill your mic locker with 3 of the best of the best Japanese ribbon mics, the Aiwa RV-1a in their original NHK custom case.

Unbelievable, set of 3 NHK Aiwa RV-1A ribbon mics.

Excellent working condition. Always stored upright in the original NHK case.

3 Aiwa RV-1A Vintage Ribbon microphones.

  • Watch the attached video from 8 minutes

New cable and Neutrix connectors.

Works and sounds loud and clear without a cloudlifter.


The Aiwa RV-1A is a vintage professional-grade ribbon microphone (specifically a velocity ribbon type) that was custom-built to NHK specifications in Japan during the late 1950s and 1960s.

Key Features and History

  • Professional Pedigree: It is the broadcasting-spec version of the commercial Aiwa VM-17. It was used extensively by NHK and other Japanese broadcasters and has appeared in historical dramas like NHK's Totto Terebi.
  • Design: It is often cited as a superior Japanese version of the iconic RCA 77D/DX microphone, featuring better output transformers and improved frequency response.
  • Pick-up Pattern: It is a multi-pattern microphone, though it is noted for sounding best in its bi-directional (figure-8) setting.
  • Sound Controls: Features a 5-position low-frequency roll-off (low-cut) switch at the base to adjust bass response.

Technical Specifications Feature Transducer Type Ribbon

Response – 15,000 Hz ±3dB

Impedance 600Ω

Sensitivity -74dB ±2dB

Switchable Patterns: Unidirectional, Bidirectional, Omnidirectional

Weight Approximately 1.7 kg


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Listed7 days ago
ConditionExcellent (Used)
Excellent items are almost entirely free from blemishes and other visual defects and have been played or used with the utmost care.Learn more
Brand
Model
  • RV-1a
Finish
  • Blue/ Grey
Categories
Year
  • 1960's?
Made In
  • Japan
Polar Pattern
  • Multipattern
Wired/Wireless
  • Wired
Microphone Type
  • Ribbon

Product safety information may be available here.

Japan Music

Ibi-Gun, Japan
Joined Reverb:2017

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