Altec 639B Birdcage Ribbon Microphone. Needs some restoration. More pics and description below

This mic has some great points and some detractions, but all in all it is a great starting point. Of course it needs restoration but in the interum it emits a powerful vibe just sitting in its' protective case. This model of mic was part of the production of Frank Sinatra's favorite album, "Only the Lonely" in 1958. The history of this recording is very well documented. The Altec 639B recorded the Bass in the 1958 mono version, and other mic models recorded other outputs, like a Neumann [Telefunken] U-47 for Frank's vocals. There was a stereo take also which makes this recording so historical. It is all on You Tube and it surely takes you to a different place. Check the You Tube link to "Angel Eyes" on the album and check out the link to the "Only The Lonely" recording history website.

Altec 639B ribbon microphone Supplimental pics and info

Altec 639B Top Front View

Ribs are straight in the front. Paint is near perfect

Altec 639B Top Front View

Ribs are straight in the front. Paint is near perfect

Altec 639B Top View

I took the screws out which had perfect threads but one of the screws did not want to go back in. The top of the mic did not come apart so I left it be. The gaskets look original. There is some rib bending in the back of the top section. No cracks. Paint is near perfect

Altec 639B Right Side View

Paint is near perfect

Altec 639B another Right Side View

Paint is near perfect

Altec 639B Rear Right View

Paint is near perfect

Altec 639B Left Side View

Paint is near perfect

Altec 639B Rear Left View

Paint is near perfect

Altec 639B Selector Switch View

Paint is near perfect

Altec 639B Back View. backlit

The internals look unmolested

Altec 639B Back-Screen View, backlit

The internals look unmolested

Altec 639B Back-Screen View a second time, backlit

The internals look unmolested

Altec 639B Gasket close-up View

The gaskets look original and unmolested

Altec 639B Missing Pin View

A pin is missing. I am not sure what happened to this stem connection feature.

Altec 639B Missing Pin View a second time

A pin is missing. I am not sure what happened to this stem connection feature.

Foam-Lined Hard Case, Opened, New and cut to fit the Altec 639B

Foam-Lined Hard Case, New from Amazon and it's outer cardboard box is strong enough for shipping of the Altec 639B.

Foam-Lined Hard Case, Closed, New and cut to fit the Altec 639B

Foam-Lined Hard Case, New from Amazon and it's outer cardboard box is strong enough for shipping of the Altec 639B.

Altec 639B Birdcage Ribbon Microphone Historical Perspective

This model of mic was part of the production of Frank Sinatra's favorite album, "Only the Lonely" in 1958. The history of this recording is very well documented. The Altec 639B recorded the Bass in the 1958 mono version, and other mic models recorded other outputs, like a Neumann [Telefunken] U-47 for Frank's vocals. There was a stereo take also which makes this recording so historical. It is all on You Tube and it surely takes you to a different place.

Astatic WR-20 Dual Crystal Microphone, Original Box with list price and Crystal Care sheet, Original 20 ft cable. No stand. Flawless Mint Appearence but Untested. More pics and description below

The Astatic WR-20 has Art Deco aesthetic value. Although the model does not have the historical recording and/or performing value like the Altec 639B with Frank Sinatra (recording) or the Shure 55S with Elvis and Frank Sinatra (performing).

Astatic WR-20 Dual Crystal Microphone Supplimental pics and info

Astatic WR-20 Dual Crystal Microphone Front View

Flawless Mint Appearence but Untested

Astatic WR-20 Dual Crystal Microphone Back View

Flawless Mint Appearence but Untested

Astatic WR-20 Dual Crystal Microphone Left Side View

Flawless Mint Appearence but Untested

Astatic WR-20 Dual Crystal Microphone Front Left View

Flawless Mint Appearence but Untested

Astatic WR-20 Dual Crystal Microphone Front-Right View

Flawless Mint Appearence but Untested

Astatic WR-20 Dual Crystal Microphone Top View

Flawless Mint Appearence but Untested

Astatic WR-20 Dual Crystal Microphone Nameplate View

Flawless Mint Appearence but Untested

Astatic WR-20 Dual Crystal Microphone Back-Underside View

Flawless Mint Appearence but Untested

Astatic WR-20 Dual Crystal Microphone Right View

Flawless Mint Appearence but Untested

Astatic WR-20 Dual Crystal Microphone Left View, again

Flawless Mint Appearence but Untested

Astatic WR-20 Dual Crystal Microphone Left Side and Cord View

Flawless Mint Appearence but Untested

Astatic WR-20 Dual Crystal Microphone Composite View of Connections

Flawless Mint Appearence but Untested

Astatic WR-20 Dual Crystal Microphone Crystal Care Sheet View

Great Condition for such a fragile artifact

Astatic WR-20 Dual Crystal Microphone Crystal Care Sheet View, again

Great Condition for such a fragile artifact

Astatic WR-20 Dual Crystal Microphone Box View

Great Condition for such a fragile artifact

Astatic WR-20 Dual Crystal Microphone Box View, outside bottom

Great Condition for such a fragile artifact

Astatic WR-20 Dual Crystal Microphone Box View, inside bottom

Great Condition for such a fragile artifact

Astatic WR-20 Dual Crystal Microphone Box End View

Great Condition for such a fragile artifact

Astatic WR-20 Dual Crystal Microphone Box End View, another end

Great Condition for such a fragile artifact

Astatic WR-20 Dual Crystal Microphone List Price on the Box

List Price for this WR-20 MICROPHONE $32.30

Shure Unidyne 55S Microphone with original deskstand, Original 25ft cable, Minty Condition except for some brown corrosion that looks bad in the pictures but is hardly noticeable in real life. I did not try to clean it. Untested. More pics and description below

The Shure Unidyne 55S Microphone is a vintage icon. This particular one is a great example made between April 20th and April 26th of 1959.

Shure Unidyne 55S Microphone Supplimental pics and info

Shure Unidyne 55S Microphone Full View

Handsome example of the Shure Unidyne 55S made between April 20th and April 26th of 1959

Shure Unidyne 55S Microphone Front View

Handsome example of the Shure Unidyne 55S made between April 20th and April 26th of 1959

Shure Unidyne 55S Microphone Left Side View

Handsome example of the Shure Unidyne 55S made between April 20th and April 26th of 1959

A Composite View of the Shure Unidyne 55S Microphone. The cord connectors and the underside of the mic

Handsome example of the Shure Unidyne 55S made between April 20th and April 26th of 1959

Front Right View of the Shure Unidyne 55S Microphone

Handsome example of the Shure Unidyne 55S made between April 20th and April 26th of 1959

Back View of the Shure Unidyne 55S Microphone

Handsome example of the Shure Unidyne 55S made between April 20th and April 26th of 1959

Right Side View of the Shure Unidyne 55S Microphone

Handsome example of the Shure Unidyne 55S made between April 20th and April 26th of 1959

Top Front View of the Shure Unidyne 55S Microphone

Handsome example of the Shure Unidyne 55S made between April 20th and April 26th of 1959

Nameplate View of the Shure Unidyne 55S Microphone

Serial Number 5917. That means it was made in the 17th week of 1959. That means it was made in the date range Monday April 20th, 1959 to Sunday April 26th, 1959. During the week of April 20, 1959, the United States officially recognized the new Cuban government under Fidel Castro, which had recently overthrown the Batista regime.

Nameplate View of the Shure Unidyne 55S Microphone. again

Serial Number 5917. That means it was made in the 17th week of 1959. That means it was made in the date range Monday April 20th, 1959 to Sunday April 26th, 1959. During the week of April 20, 1959, the United States officially recognized the new Cuban government under Fidel Castro, which had recently overthrown the Batista regime.

Shure Unidyne 55S Microphone Rear Right View

Handsome example of the Shure Unidyne 55S made between April 20th and April 26th of 1959

Shure Unidyne 55S Microphone Stand View, underside

Handsome example of the Shure Unidyne 55S made between April 20th and April 26th of 1959