"JZ-3 Vintage" Multipatern Condenser Microphone ( aka Blue KIWI ) RARE

RARE JZ-3 aka Blue KIWI Microphone.

Made in Latvia by JZ Microphones.

Award winning microphone with the original JZ design and parts hand made in Latvia

Juris Zarins - the lead designer and a manufacturer of the famous highest quality components of most Blue's early award winning microphones and the founder of Violet Design and JZ Microphones passed in 2017 and Latvian manufacturing factory closed not long after that. This is one of the microphones handmade by JZ for european market while Blue left for American market. This is the highest quality of Blue's early designes by the designer himself. Only produced in very limited quantities unlitill Blue's Intelectual property dispute in 2006. Very Rare and the only reason I am selling this ( and a couple more JZ microphones ) is that I am lucky enough to know someone who worked with JZ in the factory and he had 2 of these microphones so I can sell one of these to get my hands one of Blue's legendary yet very expensive Bottle microphones since JZ designed bottle caps to add to a my "JZ Legacy" collection as a heritage of Baltic Latvian Electronics for a public display and ever a lasting record of JZ's input in Latvian history

Shipped with a shockmount (see photos) this is not the original shock mount, but I find it works best for this microphone in any angle.

I will be listing the other JZ's design version of this microphone as well - something in between KIWI and the BOTTLE - a KIWI but with interchangeable capsule caps with all 3 JZ signature capsules, shockmount boxes and documents. NEVER USED - BRAND NEW

FREE SHIPPING ANYWHERE BY STANDART POSTAL SERVICE - IF YOU WANT AN INSURED SHIPPING PLEASE CONTACT ME AND WE CAN CHOSE ANOTHER SHIPMENT OPTION

About Blue KIWI ( recordinghacks.com)

Mic Type Multi-Pattern Condenser Microphone

Polar Pattern(s) Omni, Cardioid, Fig8, plus 6 intermediate

Pricing & Availability

MSRP $2,000

Street

Availability Still Made

Physical Characteristics

Weight 880g / 31.04oz

Length 220mm / 8.66''

Diameter 60mm / 2.36''

Interface(s) 3-pin XLR male (1)

Electrical Characteristics

Impedance 150 Ω

Max SPL 133 dB

Self-noise 8.5 dB(A)

Transducer Characteristics

Type Condenser

Capsule diameter 34mm

Diaphragm diam. 24mm

Diaph. thickness 6 microns

The Kiwi is Blue’s top-of-the-line FET condenser microphone. Conceptually similar to the AKG C414, the Kiwi mates Blue’s dual-diaphragm B6 capsule, designed to evoke the sound of the CK12, to a solid-state amplifier circuit.

The B6 capsule is not intended to be a historically-accurate CK12 capsule; it is a 24mm (active diameter), center-terminated design with dual backplates. The capsule is shockmounted within the Kiwi’s headbasket.

A knurled, rotary switch on the back of the microphone body allows the mic’s directional pattern to be switched among 9 choices, from omni to cardioid to fig-8, with six intermediate positions (3 on each side of the center, cardioid setting).

The output circuit is a transformerless design with Class A electronics.

Violet Designs JZ-3 The Blue Kiwi, like several of Blue’s early products, was the subject of an intellectual property dispute in 2006, when the original manufacturer, SIA Scruples/Violet Design, attempted to register a lookalike microphone with the EU’s “Office for the Harmonization of the Internal Markets” — essentially the EU’s trademark office. The OHIM called Scruples’ registration invalid, awarding the IP rights to Martin Saulespurens of BLUE. For a time, this mic was known as the Violet JZ-3 or JZ3