Help with AKG460s?

Indrestudios · 15th August 2008, 06:30 PM

I've got a pair of AKG C460Bs w/ CK1x capsules that I'm trying to bring back to spec. I got a great deal from an estate sale a couple years back, but their overall sound is a bit dodgy, and the interconnect with the remote capsules can be intermittent.

I think these capsules were designed for film guys? (the mic element is at the end of a 6' cable) maybe to hide a mic in a plant or similar? they've worked pretty well as hanging choir mics too.

Anyone have any good mic repair guys? Not looking for a mod, just a cleanup & re-calibrate.

fifthcircle · 15th August 2008, 06:40 PM

How about sending it to AKG directly?

--Ben

Indrestudios · 15th August 2008, 06:44 PM

I had a pretty bad experience with AKG service a couple years back. I'd rather find a smaller shop with a good track record.

Karl_Lohninger · 16th August 2008, 11:27 AM

My experiences with AKG service after they moved to L.A. can be described with one word: really bad. Kinda sad.

Did you clean all the contacts? Use clean alcohol pads for cleaning, no oily stuff at all. Check if the springy contact actually makes contact.

There is Richard Land in Nashville - that's the only person I know in the US specializing in AKG repairs and I found him straight forward and dependable. Last time I called him the number was 615 338 4443. Talk to him before sending anything out.

Also, these AKG capsules usually don't get 'repaired' out of whatever reasons but 'swapped out'. Always make sure beforehand that you're getting all changed, removed whatever parts back. Again, Richard was very straight and even backed me up against AKG.

good luck, Karl Lohninger

currently Berlin/Germany

tnjazz · 16th August 2008, 12:10 PM

Agree that Richard Land is a good choice. He's here in the Nashville, TN area. He stuck around after AKG pulled up stakes and moved to LA.

His website is AKG Mic Repair

Something to note though - the CKx series of capsules are not serviceable - the most he can probably do is a simple checkup. I doubt there can be any recalibrating done. The CKx capsules are fully electrets, so once they lose their charge that's it.

If they die completely they cannot be resurrected, at least not as remote-able capsules. When a CKx capsule dies, it can only be resurrected as a standard CK capsule (CK1, CK22, CK3), which will render the extension cables useless.

I had a pair of these a couple of years ago myself, and all I could ever get AKG to do was test them (he did fix an intermittent mk46 cable connection though). They could not do any adjustments or repairs to them and Richard told me they no longer supported them in any way.

Good luck!
Dirk

Karl_Lohninger · 17th August 2008, 08:19 AM

One thing I want to add:

I needed a part for a AKG 426 that AKG (us) said didn't exist anymore. In my further searches I found out about Peter Drefahl in Germany and sent the mic over to him and he managed to get the parts beautifully repaired what was to repair. He can be found at
drefahlaudio microphone repair and reskinning service.

Good luck, Karl Lohninger

d_fu · 17th August 2008, 09:45 AM

If you were to consider sending them overseas, Michael Amon at AKG Vienna has done some great jobs for me, like mounting new diaphragms on a pair of decent, but different-sounding C414 B-TL mics, and turning them into a beautiful stereo pair. Or making a perfect pair of CK61s, also with new diaphragms.

Daniel

softwareguy · 17th August 2008, 07:35 PM

I have to say, if you're putting new money into them, I would definitely get the Jim Williams mod done. They are like day and night better.

But that's just me.

15th August 2008, 06:30 PM	#1
Indrestudios Gear maniac Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 159	Help with AKG460s? I've got a pair of AKG C460Bs w/ CK1x capsules that I'm trying to bring back to spec. I got a great deal from an estate sale a couple years back, but their overall sound is a bit dodgy, and the interconnect with the remote capsules can be intermittent. I think these capsules were designed for film guys? (the mic element is at the end of a 6' cable) maybe to hide a mic in a plant or similar? they've worked pretty well as hanging choir mics too. Anyone have any good mic repair guys? Not looking for a mod, just a cleanup & re-calibrate. __________________ Indre Mobile Recording \| Philadelphia, PA INDRE.COM

15th August 2008, 06:40 PM	#2
fifthcircle Lives for gear Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 2,299	How about sending it to AKG directly? --Ben __________________ Benjamin Maas Fifth Circle Audio Long Beach, CA http://www.fifthcircle.com

15th August 2008, 06:44 PM	#3
Indrestudios Gear maniac Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 159	I had a pretty bad experience with AKG service a couple years back. I'd rather find a smaller shop with a good track record. __________________ Indre Mobile Recording \| Philadelphia, PA INDRE.COM

16th August 2008, 12:10 PM	#5
tnjazz Lives for gear Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Music City, USA Posts: 1,347	Agree that Richard Land is a good choice. He's here in the Nashville, TN area. He stuck around after AKG pulled up stakes and moved to LA. His website is AKG Mic Repair Something to note though - the CKx series of capsules are not serviceable - the most he can probably do is a simple checkup. I doubt there can be any recalibrating done. The CKx capsules are fully electrets, so once they lose their charge that's it. If they die completely they cannot be resurrected, at least not as remote-able capsules. When a CKx capsule dies, it can only be resurrected as a standard CK capsule (CK1, CK22, CK3), which will render the extension cables useless. I had a pair of these a couple of years ago myself, and all I could ever get AKG to do was test them (he did fix an intermittent mk46 cable connection though). They could not do any adjustments or repairs to them and Richard told me they no longer supported them in any way. Good luck! Dirk __________________ Authorized dealer for Avenson, Nevaton and Violet Microphones Come visit us at http://www.bigpurpledog.com

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16th August 2008, 11:27 AM	#4
Karl_Lohninger Gear Head Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 57	My experiences with AKG service after they moved to L.A. can be described with one word: really bad. Kinda sad. Did you clean all the contacts? Use clean alcohol pads for cleaning, no oily stuff at all. Check if the springy contact actually makes contact. There is Richard Land in Nashville - that's the only person I know in the US specializing in AKG repairs and I found him straight forward and dependable. Last time I called him the number was 615 338 4443. Talk to him before sending anything out. Also, these AKG capsules usually don't get 'repaired' out of whatever reasons but 'swapped out'. Always make sure beforehand that you're getting all changed, removed whatever parts back. Again, Richard was very straight and even backed me up against AKG. good luck, Karl Lohninger currently Berlin/Germany

17th August 2008, 08:19 AM	#6
Karl_Lohninger Gear Head Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 57	One thing I want to add: I needed a part for a AKG 426 that AKG (us) said didn't exist anymore. In my further searches I found out about Peter Drefahl in Germany and sent the mic over to him and he managed to get the parts beautifully repaired what was to repair. He can be found at drefahlaudio microphone repair and reskinning service. Good luck, Karl Lohninger

17th August 2008, 09:45 AM	#7
d_fu Lives for gear Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Germany Posts: 1,425	If you were to consider sending them overseas, Michael Amon at AKG Vienna has done some great jobs for me, like mounting new diaphragms on a pair of decent, but different-sounding C414 B-TL mics, and turning them into a beautiful stereo pair. Or making a perfect pair of CK61s, also with new diaphragms. Daniel

17th August 2008, 07:35 PM	#8
softwareguy Gear addict Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 411	I have to say, if you're putting new money into them, I would definitely get the Jim Williams mod done. They are like day and night better. But that's just me.