From 1959 to present day, the exclusive “C24 club“ has less than 800 members, but a slot has just opened up. This is to say, only 800 C24's (both MKI and MKII combined, according to Klaus and AKG) were ever made and far fewer are in this incredible near mint condition. This mic hung perched safely up on a Starbird stand for decades at Century Records and used on dozens of hit records like Benny Goodman, Buddy Rich and Mel Torme to name a few. If you’re looking for the cleanest one available with a rich history and legacy, this is the one.

You won’t find a better one out there both in aesthetics or sound. I’m in no rush to sell at all either. In fact, this Reverb listing has already got my studio work just for having it up. If you must have the best looking, best sounding C24 in the world, well then you found it. It may possibly be the coolest mic for sale on the internet today. Most recently given a clean bill of health by Roger Deller at Electric Lady Studios Dec 2024.

Located 15 min from Manhattan, we welcome you to come demo the mic in our commercial studio and hear it for yourself. As the studio owner, I am also happy to fly out to you and hand deliver if you’d like to buy me a ticket, which is exactly how I purchased this kit myself from Mike Post from Moosecat Recording studios in LA.

If you know this mic you may have heard the history of the iconic 1976 Harry James Band record “The King James Version” in which he and his band recorded live to a vinyl lathe using only this C24 microphone, 600 feet away in a chapel, in a single take. To this day it is considered the end all be all of audiophile sound recordings, even though they ran the mic on 600 feet of cable with no processing! The recording showcases just how astounding and gorgeous this microphone truly is at both capturing a stereo recording and overall smooth and perfect transfer characteristics. No mic on earth possesses the sheer presence and “in the room with the source“ feel quite like an original C24.

This microphone was serviced twice, once about 10-15 yrs ago by world renowned mic guru SPA (Stephen Paul Audio Co) and a second time in Dec 2023 at Electric Lady Studios by in-house tech Roger Deller (cable was serviced, as shown in second to last pic). The first service was for basic maintenance of a single new REL input capacitor for each circuit and a re-skin by the one and only Stephen Paul of SPA California; one of the very best mic techs in the world (many people believe his technique died with him him and everything he touched was made even better by his mods). Klaus has been quoted on Gearspace saying SPA was “one of the best“ before his unfortunate passing a few years back. As you can see internally, the work is flawless. See last two pics for details. The work was commissioned by the original owner, famed producer and record label owner Geln Glancey during his possession of this mic (I am the third owner).

The capsules themselves are in perfect shape so you can reskin them with 6 micron mylar if you prefer the original specs tho I’m not sure why you would. I compared the 3 micron SPA skins with another clean C24 and a Vanguard V24 and we all agreed this one is more sensitive, yet retains a gorgeous natural compression and proximity that we love these for. Thinner mylar also gives you a better transient response, which is scientifically detailed by SPA in the docs I posted in the last 2 photos here. I can attest that this mic really does sound more detailed without being whispy or any brighter at all. The capsules are in perfect condition though so it’s up to you if you’d like to spend the $300 per side to reskin, though the mic sounds devine. Hearing is believing, so best to come by and hear for yourself when you’re in the NYC area.

Other than a quick cleaning when I got it in 2022 and the cable repair in 2023 at electric lady, no further work has ever been done.

Capsules are of course the original iconic brass CK12 capsules and sound even better than you could ever imagine. Skin is In fantastic like new condition and should give decades of wonderful output without issue. Tubes test NOS on my tester.

Probably the cleanest example of the rarest, most coveted microphone ever made. No scratches, dents, blemishes or signs of wear at all. Even the original wooden box and cable are in excellent condition. I received the mic in its wooden box, sheathed in plastic with cilicia gel packs enclosed and was told it has always lived with this kind of “white glove” care.

WHAT IS INCLUDED:

This listing includes the AKG C24 MKII Serial No. 990 stereo microphone, the original swivel mount (with built in XY/MS toggle) original cable in perfect shape, the original C24S power supply (recapped by SPA to perform to new spec or better), original IEC power cable, a replacement IEC power cable, a pair of two custom MS cables (with Canarie wiring & Neutrik connectors), a beautiful custom 1960’s AKG MS box with AKG metal badges as shown, and the original red velvet lined wooden microphone storage box (both latches work like new). I am also including an additional NOS GE 6072 tube in original GE box for swapping and tube rolling. SPA sticker was removed from mic body and laminated for your records (Had the service sticker on the body when I got it. I carefully removed it and cleaned the body for residue with isopropyl). PSU still has SPA sticker on it from the same servicing. Lastly, I am including a heavy duty black 4-latch waterproof XL Pelican case ($400+) for everything to fit in. When packed for transit, the Pelican case also be boxed up for extra protection.

Worry-free, no questions, full-coverage insurance will be purchased by me to cover this microphones transit at its full sale value if you’d like it shipped. It is highly recommended you listen to the mic first in the video below or come try it out in person before purchasing, as all sales are final. Absolutely no returns will be accepted on this item. See my feedback and 5 star ratings for details.

The mic was clearly always babied and properly stored. Even though it’s been on some historical albums, it was never dropped or bumped and exhibits zero sign of wear.

HISTORY:

Great lengths have been made to verify the origin and authenticity of this mic with AKG Harmon (thanks to Rafael and Rick Morris at AKG for all the info on this mic) and they in fact speculate that this might be the cleanest C24 in existence; a true near mint survivor.

THE THREE OWNERS:

THE FIRST OWNER was legendary Recording Engineer Glen Glancy, who was also the president of Century Records (home of Buddy Rich, Woody Herman, Benny Goodman, Phil Woods, Hal Galper and Mel Torme). He was also the executive producer on many albums there that he used this mic on. In fact, you can imagine he had an arsenal of the greatest mics on earth but favored this mic over them all. AKG has also always placed this model as the crowing jewel of accomplishment in their lustrous legacy. Glen most notably used this exact microphone on the LP "Together Again For the First Time," a duet album by Buddy Rich and Mel Torme! This mic has also been confirmed to be used on two Benny Goodman albums and a host of other major American releases.

THE SECOND OWNER was Mike Post, who purchased it from Glen in 2018 from where he used it sparingly his smoke/pet free studio called Moosecat Studios in LA, CA.

I am THE THIRD OWNER and I bought it from Mike in 2023, where he flew out to me in NYC and safely hand delivered it. It lives in the box in my smoke/pet free climate controlled commercial space which is 15 minutes from downtown Manhattan NYC. I have used it on three small sessions but only bring it out for extremely special cases as I have a very nice mic collection that enables me to not need this like I thought I would. The mic was most recently serviced by Roger Deller, chief tech at electric lady studios in NYC in December 2023. The mic became intermittent and it was deduced there was a bad wire issue at the base of the mic. He also shortened the absurdly long 60 foot cable to 40 feet at this time. The extra 20 feet are included.

IS THE C24 TWO C12'S?
AKG MANUAL SAYS “YES“ IT IS, BUT IT’S NOT EXACTLY THE SAME. IT’S BETTER:

Oh boy here we go.

Firstly, the PCB topology is extremely similar but not identical. It is not a 1:1 Stereo C12 circuit but rather a better designed one. The distinction is important and somewhat controversial so let’s address the facts:

The C24 and C12 are similar but not the same. However, many techs (as well as the AKG design team) believe the C24 to be a superior microphone, even in a direct, monaural comparison to the C12. The three key differences that separate the C12 from the C24 puta the C24 ahead:

Firstly, the output coupling capacitor to the matching transformer uses a 0.5uF capacitor in the C12, as opposed to a 1uF capacitor in the C24. This variance changes the low end response by a whole octave at the -3dB point, yielding a much greater bass extension on the C24 compared to that of the C12. Secondly, the valve anode of the C24 is decoupled to earth via a 100pF capacitor which changes the quality of the extreme top end and transient response of the microphone, making it sound smoother, fuller and richer than a C12. It also makes the mic inherently quieter which lends for better critical recording situations such as piano, strings, etc. This is why many consider it the greatest piano mic ever made. Lastly, the C24 has superior grid biasing and is uniquely "self-biasing" (N12 PSU Vs N24 PSU) which yields a better low end response, slope and transfer characteristics. Hard to argue any differently yet there is a bit of a resistance in the audio community to these facts, similar to climate change deniers. C12 owners are the first to scream these black and white facts are erroneous but unfortunately for them, the C24 is superior in almost every way. Simply put, the C24 is a better microphone than two C12’s, limited only by forced capsule proximity. Either way, the C24 data sheet (as seen in this listing images above) shows an absolutely gorgeous mic all around, in addition to being the rarest of all birds in our audio industry.

I know this last part sounds silly but I do feel this necessary information to provide the next owner of such a legendary mic:

From Glen's obit: "Glen passed on April 21st of 2022. Glen's creative goal was to 'Share the Beauty of God's Earth.' To honor Glen, his family then asked that “we all be more aware of God's creations and to be more kind to each other. This is how he lived and worked” and this mic shared that journey on all his Century Records albums. I was really moved by that when I received this microphone and feel the greatness in this mic. In this aspect, holding this mic feels like holding a torch.

I really love this and for me, it is just as big of a part as the physical history of this important microphone. In my studio, I share the same sentiment and that is the full history and "vibe" of this microphone.

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Pickup available and highly preferred. I am also willing to hand deliver to you anywhere in USA for a small fee. Shipping will be double boxed and extremely securely shipped to survive an atom bomb. I treat all items I sell with a white glove, no less this particular item. Due to the obvious inherent risks of shipping, it is sold as-is if shipped and you are strongly encouraged to come try it in person prior to purchasing. Check out/follow my shop for more interesting gear like this!

Any questions please ask, thanks for looking. ~ JML