Should I? - AKG BX 10 Reverb

[SP2016]

Why variac ? Is it a 230v unit ?
There is an internal switch for 115/230v switching and if you set the BX10 for 115v do not forget to change the value of the mains fuse of the BX10 !!
I would not pay $ 1000 for a noisy BX that also needs some work to be done.
Do not think that recapping is the magic treatment to get a brandnew BX10.
Noise may also be caused by faulty transistor(s).
And if you buy such a unit: Transport many times ruins a spring reverb unit.
The AKG's need special treatment before transporting.
The BX10 will sound better than the Orban 111B if only considering that the spring assembly in a BX10 is larger than the simple spring unit in the 111B.
I have worked with both of the units and much prefer the BX.
Try to get a much lower price at your gear collector and get a good engineer to bring the BX back to life.
Tell your collector friend that using a BX10 gives more satisfaction that only collecting that good old AKG.

[vintagelove]

The bx is indeed a really cool box. I would also much rather buy one local than risk shipping one. I cringe when i move mine 10 feet.

[muziekschuur]

If it's powered up with a variac and it is working well I reckon you should be able to power it directly. If that works leave it on for about 12 hours. That should regenerate the capacitors inside. After that you should be able to see if it is in working order.

The first two hours someone should be watching the print with the lid off. As something can catch fire during this and the device should be switched off fast if anything starts to smell funny...

[muziekschuur]

It's a special piece. It's up to you if you want to buy it. Maybe let him work on it and offer 1200... If he'd do the work and give you 6 months of guarantee. If the thing stops working within that period he'd refund you 600 or he'll fix it up and you pay the parts? (After all it's an old piece of gear wich was very expensive in it's day)..

[nickelironsteel]

i got 2 akg bx for 50 eur each. go figure. in your case i would get the impulse responses and invest into gear that makes a difference.

[syra]

If a BX10 is anything like a BX20, no impulse response comes close. I love love love that reverb.

[matucha]

I wouldn't pay $1000 if it wasn't 100% functional and pristine. Even then $1000 is a bit too much.

My BX25 sounds great, plate-ish sound. I use it a lot when I can.

[Jack Luminous]

It is not a BX25, it's one of the small models. It's worth about $450 if in good shape. IMHO... Now it depends if you really want it that bad.

[nickelironsteel]

1000 is just too steep for a spring reverb. i payd 1000 for my emt 246/250 recently. Tom Elmhirst used TL Labs Space's Vintage Spring Reverb on Amy Winehouse's Rehab, go figure.

[javahut]

Just skip the hassle... Nebula with VNXT BX15, BX20, and EMT... unless you're into keeping antique equipment in prime working condition.

[nickelironsteel]

i guess i am i cant get enough of old emts and lexicons and ams

[beats workin']

Hey Pierce,
I don't know how the 10 compares with the 20 so you'll have to guess on that one, but I use my bx20 every day. I haven't heard a software verb that comes close to the way it sits in the mix. I will say that I think 1k for a bx10 is way too much. My educated advice is that if you're going to go for a true spring, wait for a bx20. Then you won't have to upgrade in the future. True, shipping them is a very very touchy affair. Have it done right. Good luck with it,
David

[Pierce_Gibson]

I appreciate all of this. I didn't expect to get so many responses.
I was thinking $1,000 was too much. I offered him $500 to begin with and the guy nearly lost it. I guess he'll just let it rot in his barn.

Something cheaper always comes up. I remember in February I was looking for something on craigslist when I came upon a BX10 that was used for the theme of David Lynch's Twin Peeks. It was $700 from a busy studio.

Why variac ? Is it a 230v unit ?

He used a variac to slowly power it up. It hadn't been used in such a long time that he was afraid to abruptly put 110v through it.

[jb_studio]

For what it's worth, I paid $1000 for my BX10 a few years ago and it's been one of the best purchases I've ever made. It gets used on every mix, and very frequently during tracking. Incidentally, I don't think of it as a 'spring reverb'...just a beautiful, dark, analog reverb that adds mystery and density to every sound I throw at it.

As you noticed on Ebay, they are routinely going for much more than $1000 these days -- and that's when you can even find one. If the seller is in your general area, perhaps you can check it out in person, or even stop by with your tech? I agree that it's not a great idea to ship one of these boxes if you can avoid it. Buying local is the way to go. Best of luck...Cheers -- JB

[L Diamond]

I would grab it. In 5 years it'll be worth more than 1k (IMHO) and they sound amazing. I know a guy who has both an emt 140 and bx-10. He prefers the bx-10 on many sources. I came to the same conclusion working with both.

[fu_lownoize]

I bought a bx 15 (mint condition) half a year ago for 300$. It' s a wonderul, inspireing unit. But 1000$ seem to be quiet expensive for a bx 10. I mean, it' s a unit nice to have, but it's not in every situation the reverb to go with.
So perhaps it's better to just a keep your eyes open and wait until one occurs for a reasonable price.

[vintagelove]

Originally Posted by L Diamond

I would grab it. In 5 years it'll be worth more than 1k (IMHO) and they sound amazing.

this

[Sounds Great]

Originally Posted by Pierce_Gibson

Now, I do not know exactly how it sounds but I do know that I want real reverb that is more full and usable than my Orban 111b (which I've considered selling to fund the BX 10).

I had a BX10 many years ago. I currently have an Orban 111b, and they are much different beasts. I would love to have a BX10 again, but I also love the Orban for a very limited but warm and organic sounding reverb. Don't sell it!

Originally Posted by nickelironsteel

i got 2 akg bx for 50 eur each. go figure. in your case i would get the impulse responses and invest into gear that makes a difference.

The spring reverb is a very organic and musical sound that will not be duplicated with impulse response. Maybe something close, but..

Originally Posted by nickelironsteel

1000 is just too steep for a spring reverb.

One opinion I guess, others differ.

[Keire]

i have one and they really are special. i use it all the time. ive sold a lot of outboard but this is staying.

[Sofa King]

Originally Posted by Pierce_Gibson

Hello All,
There is a vintage broadcast gear collector in my vicinity of the world who happens to have something I've been wanting for a while: an AKG BX10. After a few weeks of asking him to test it out, he finally powered it up on a variac and told me the reverb was working but that it was noisy. I imagine it needs a recap of some sort. He said he will not go lower than $1,000.

Would I be unwise to shell out that kind of cash for something I would need to get worked on? The most recent BX10 I've seen listed sold for $1,400. I would wait for one on eBay but I feel a bit weary thinking of getting one of these 45 pound, sensitive reverbs shipped to me. Now, I do not know exactly how it sounds but I do know that I want real reverb that is more full and usable than my Orban 111b (which I've considered selling to fund the BX 10).

Let me know what you guys think.

Thanks,
Pierce

That seems high for a known working unit, let alone one thats kinda sketchy.

I have a BX25, and its absolutely my favorite reverb unit.
Like others have said, theres no plug that sounds like this thing.

Gear comes and goes, but I dont see myself parting with this.

best of luck!
Sean

[RoundBadge]

1k is a lot for a BX10 that needs help
my beautiful BX 20 comes back from my tech tomorrow all recapped and loved..yay.

impulses don't EVEN come close lol

[RFZ DUDE]

i have seen some BX10s in the last months or so and not a single one worked flawless.its quite hard to find a tech who really knows what to do with those as well & and if you find one be prepared to pay good money for that service...even they may run into problems that are non-repairable at times.

if its working cool and you feel you need it id say pay 600.- top for it.knowing they can be bitches.

[vintagelove]

Where are you people getting these numbers from? Please tell me where you can find these for 600 bucks....... It's like saying 3k is too much for a neve preamp. Of course it's too much!!! They are rare and sound great, they are not going to be cheap. I hate to use the cliche but...... Are Ferrari cars cheap?..... but but but you can buy a much cheaper car, and it will get you from a to b. Sure, just don't expect the ladies to come running when you putt down the street.

FWIW plugins do not replicate a spring well at all.

[matucha]

When I bought my BX25, it was from seller who had 5 of them and they were NOS. It took the seller over a year to sell them @500euro. When you're in hurry to buy old stuff when there is none on the market, you have to pay premium. IMO it is worth waiting for some opportunity instead.

[javahut]

Originally Posted by RoundBadge

impulses don't EVEN come close lol

Originally Posted by vintagelove

FWIW plugins do not replicate a spring well at all.

If that's what you wanna think. But Nebula with spring reverb sets sounds great. It definitely has raised the bar on plug-ins sounding like spring reverbs. If you don't have access to the real thing, or just want some different spring flavors to add to your arsenal, the Nebula VNXT sets sound especially good!

[Keire]

i paid around a grand for mine working. I think thats a good price for what it does....

also, i havent found a plug that does this.

[justjoo]

Originally Posted by matucha

When I bought my BX25, it was from seller who had 5 of them and they were NOS. It took the seller over a year to sell them @500euro. When you're in hurry to buy old stuff when there is none on the market, you have to pay premium. IMO it is worth waiting for some opportunity instead.

I'm interested if he still has some left.

[imixrecords]

AHHHHHHHHH! the BX20 is the coolest verb i've ever used! The 15 is great also...but the 20!!!!!!!!

We got our 20 from Russia shipped. but man did they pack it right. It survived, but only due to the intense care the guys took in Russia.

That being said,i never used the 10. However the Bx20 had a little buzz. we recapped the PSU and it was gone. Very easy, about 10 bucks in parts and an hour or two.

[RoundBadge]

Originally Posted by javahut

If that's what you wanna think. But Nebula with spring reverb sets sounds great.

Its not what i think its what i hear.
I use the Nebula impulses for my laptop rig.they're good
not the same as the hardware.