Oktova MK-012 DIY Mod Kit

Conchious · 19th September 2011

Do these kits from Bill Sitler: Oktava MK-012 Modification Kits and Service accomplish similarly what the vaulted Joly mods do to a new set of Oktovas? Is it just replacing caps and transistor?

edva · 19th September 2011

i think they are similar, although I have not compared the two side by side. I have a pair of 012's and a 319 modded by Bill, couldn't be happier. My 2c, YMMV and all that....

Conchious · 19th September 2011

Thanks. I was thinking of doing it myself with the kit - the only magic I'll need is some very small solder points.

Silent Sound · 19th September 2011

I've used these kits. I think they should be very similar. Basically both mods are based on something Scott Dorsey published in Recording Magazine in Sept. 2003. I believe some of Dorsey's parts are no longer available, so some substitutions have to be made, for better or worse. In any event, the 012 board is tiny and delicate and not easy for a novice to solder on. But if it's not your first time with a soldering iron, it's not too difficult. You just swap out a couple of components for others, keeping the circuit design itself pretty much the same.

I've never used the Jolly Modded version myself, so I can't say anything for sure, but I do have a pair that I modded from those kits and the mod did everything the online forums and accompanying clips said they would.

Conchious · 19th September 2011

Thanks for reply.
No novice with irons. I started soldering at 12 with pieces of my parents turntable cartridge to make my first electric guitar! Then I made a set of head phones with two transistor radio speakers (1" diameter) wire hangers, dixie cups and masking tape. Boy did I get headaches using them! I haven't stopped with these crazy possessed projects for 45 years.

doncaparker · 20th September 2011

I bought and used these kits. I'm very happy with the results.

KillerV · 20th September 2011

Don't own the MK-012, so I can't comment on Bill's mod for those. I do, however, own the MK-319, which I modded with his kit and couldn't be happier. Turned it into an amazing mic that gets used on every session.

lcressy · 21st September 2011

I did the kit mod, and it improved the mic ten fold! Couldn't be happier.

19th September 2011	#1
Conchious Gear interested Joined: Mar 2011 Posts: 11 Thread Starter	Oktova MK-012 DIY Mod Kit Do these kits from Bill Sitler: Oktava MK-012 Modification Kits and Service accomplish similarly what the vaulted Joly mods do to a new set of Oktovas? Is it just replacing caps and transistor?

19th September 2011	#2
edva Lives for gear Joined: Feb 2010 Posts: 1,833 27 Reviews written	i think they are similar, although I have not compared the two side by side. I have a pair of 012's and a 319 modded by Bill, couldn't be happier. My 2c, YMMV and all that.... __________________ _______________________________________________ Ed Billeaud - Snowflake Studio ___________________________________________ The human species, with few exceptions, is a crime against nature. Be an exception.

20th September 2011	#7
KillerV Gear addict Joined: Jan 2007 Posts: 448	Don't own the MK-012, so I can't comment on Bill's mod for those. I do, however, own the MK-319, which I modded with his kit and couldn't be happier. Turned it into an amazing mic that gets used on every session. __________________ www.joellis.co.za

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

19th September 2011	#4
Silent Sound Lives for gear Joined: Jun 2010 Posts: 895 2 Reviews written	I've used these kits. I think they should be very similar. Basically both mods are based on something Scott Dorsey published in Recording Magazine in Sept. 2003. I believe some of Dorsey's parts are no longer available, so some substitutions have to be made, for better or worse. In any event, the 012 board is tiny and delicate and not easy for a novice to solder on. But if it's not your first time with a soldering iron, it's not too difficult. You just swap out a couple of components for others, keeping the circuit design itself pretty much the same. I've never used the Jolly Modded version myself, so I can't say anything for sure, but I do have a pair that I modded from those kits and the mod did everything the online forums and accompanying clips said they would.

20th September 2011	#6
doncaparker Lives for gear Joined: Dec 2007 Posts: 1,239	I bought and used these kits. I'm very happy with the results.

21st September 2011	#8
lcressy Gear maniac Joined: Feb 2009 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 245	I did the kit mod, and it improved the mic ten fold! Couldn't be happier.