AKG C414B XLII or Shure SM81's for Acoust Guitar

[Barry Johns]

I am in the process of upgrading all of my recording gear from lower to mid level, to upper mid to high end. I just purchased a new AKG C414B XLII mic. It retails for 999.00 and I got it for 750.00 (Scratch and Dent, although only the case was dented, the mic is in perfect condition). I can get another one for the same price. I've got 2 Chinese Knock-off Oktava ML012's. I use the AKG for my vocals; it’s the new version, which us much better for vocals than previous versions. I've recorded my acoustic with it as well and like what I hear, but want to be able to use two mics on my Acoustic. I have used my Oktava's with good results, but they are knock-off's so I don't know what two decent mics will sound like.

Here's the deal. I want to be able to get great Acoustic Recordings. Would I be better of buying the second C414XLII to go with my existing one for 750.00 or buy two Shure SM81's for about the same price? I'd like to keep it based on new vice eBay for sake of discussion.

Please look at my gear below. I'd probably need to buy another UA Solo 610 for the new C414 as well.

If not the SM81's, any other recommendations.