Which Condenser Mic?

[meskalito]

I'm planning on buying a second condenser mic to go with my AKG c3000 to do stereo recordings. I'll be recording voice and guitar together mostly, as well as some solo guitar or mandolin stuff.

Here are the mics I'm considering:
• AKG C 414
• AKG C 451 b (pencil/shotgun)
• AKG Solidtube
• Neuman U87

Any opinions on any of these mics would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[albee1952]

Your list shows quite a spread in price so you really have tons of options. Check out the new Mojave designed by David Royer. If you can afford a U87, maybe you should buy the Mojave, and a Royer 121 and an SM57 and have several flavors available. The 451 is a nice mic but I would wait until you have several more versatile mics before adding it to the collection. The 414 and U87 are a little on the bright side(just my opinion) but certainly are solid mics. I would skip the SolidTube(again, just my opinion). Maybe check out the Lawson L47 MK-II which is a recreation of a U47. I know there are lots of other options so maybe you should pick your dollar amount to help zero in on the best choices.

[lemix]

meskalito,

I'm planning on buying a second condenser mic to go with my AKG c3000 to do stereo recordings.

Forgive my interruption.. but a true "stereo" pair is just that. Two closely matched microphones.
Out of your choices I'd recommend the "AKG C 451 b (pencil/shotgun)" for instruments and the U87 for all other general acquisition.
Also..I'd second albee1952's comment on the AKG Solidtube. In my personal experience, that mic is a bit undefined, tubby and rubbery sounding. (decipher that .. )

good luck,
andrew

[Barnabas]

I'm planning on buying a second condenser mic to go with my AKG c3000 to do stereo recordings. I'll be recording voice and guitar together mostly, as well as some solo guitar or mandolin stuff.

I like the C451 for guitar, mandolin, violin and other strings.

What do you mean by Stereo? Do you mean record a guitar with both the C3000 and another mic at the same time? Or do you mean C3000 on the vocal and the new mic on the guitar?