☆Vintage 1960s National WM-701 Ribbon Dynamic Microphone - Japanese Dual-Element Dynamic Microphone | Altec 639A 639B STC 4033 Kinap

• Cleaned, Tested, & Serviced w/ a New Ribbon
• Working to specifications - Sounds just like it should with a full frequency response!
• Extremely Rare Model - Imagine this microphone being the needle and the haystack being a ton of RCA 77's!

This is the rare National WM-701, a Japanese dual-element dynamic microphone. National was the company that became Panasonic, and they produced a variety of different microphones. The WM-701 uses both a bi-directional ribbon and a unidirectional dynamic in tandem to create a cardioid polar pattern, like the Altec 639a, STC 4033, KINAP 10a1. Its design is most comparable to an American DR330, with the moving coil dynamic element positioned directly below the ribbon. Unlike the DR330, the WM-701 doesn’t share that same “honky” midrange. It still has a pronounced midrange, but is also well-balanced in the low and high frequencies.

This microphone works really well on guitar amps, bass, and vocals. Another difference between the WM-701 and other dual element designs is that it does not have the ability to switch between ribbon (for figure, dynamic (omni) or both together (cardioid)), and only provides a blend of both at the output for a cardioid pickup. Like many high-end vintage Japanese mics, the WM-701 is really well-engineered.

The perforated grill is beautiful and rugged, the yoke and stand mount are wonderfully machined, and it is durable and easy to position. It is important to note, the grille did have the top areas on both sides fixed with epoxy because there was some damage. This microphone has had the original ribbon replaced, so it is nice and full again, sounds excellent!

Information above is from Mike Bridavsky at Russian Recording or Soviet American Audio Systems. They have a lot of cool mics and information you can take a look at!