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At Vintage King, we’ve always believed that the right piece of vintage gear can transform a recording, adding warmth, character, and a touch of history that modern equipment simply can’t replicate.
With one of the largest and most diverse collections of vintage and used pro audio gear anywhere, Vintage King is proud to offer access to these timeless tools for today’s studios.
In this blog, we’re spotlighting some of the hottest vintage pieces currently available at Vintage King. From sought-after compressors and equalizers to iconic microphones that have shaped recording history, these pieces aren’t just tools; they’re storytellers.
All of the gear in this blog was available at the time of publishing, but may have since been sold.
Vintage Microphones
AKG C12 Tube Condenser Microphone #1660
The AKG C12 is one of the most sought-after tube microphones ever made. Produced between 1953 and 1963, only about 2,500 units were built, each featuring a CK12 capsule and 6072 tube that defined its unmistakable tone. Throughout its short production run, the C12 saw multiple transformer variations—from the Hiller T14 and Henry 2148 to the revered Haufe T14/1—as well as two versions of the CK12 capsule, large- and small-cavity.
Vintage Outboard Gear
Trident A Range Mic Pre/EQ Racked Pair #VK01452 & #VK01453
When the consoles of the time wouldn’t do, the staff engineers at Trident Studios in London built their own. Designed by Barry Porter and Malcolm Toft, with helpful insight from Ken Scott, Roy Thomas Baker, and Barry Sheffield, the A-Range has become one of the most celebrated consoles in recording history.
At Trident Studios, engineers used A-Range consoles on landmark records by David Bowie, Elton John, and Queen. Stateside, A-Ranges became fixtures at EastWest Studios and Cherokee Studios. Cherokee owned four A-Ranges at one point, using them on albums by Nilsson, Bonnie Raitt, Warren Zevon, Mötley Crüe, and many more.
Vintage King just listed a pair of vintage Trident A-Range preamp/EQs, racked up and ready to be used in the studio. Both modules have been serviced and fully recapped, and feature the 2038 circuit board revision along with their original transformers and active/inductor components.
Pultec EQH-2 Tube Program Equalizer Serial #4985
The Pultec EQH-2 is a mono tube program EQ that delivers classic Pultec tone at a more budget-friendly price. Using the same tube design as the legendary EQP-1A, it offers five high-frequency options topping out at 12 kHz.
dbx 161 VU Compressor/Limiter #4895
The dbx 161 VU compressor is nearly identical to the more expensive 160 VU. The primary difference is the 161’s unbalanced input and output. It features a transformerless, solid-state VCA design and is widely regarded for its versatility, especially on bass, kick, and snare.
Vintage Consoles
Neve 8026 24-Channel Console
The 8026 comes from Rupert Neve's classic 1970s period, the same era and design philosophy that produced the 1073 and 1084. Discrete Class A, transformer-coupled circuitry gives it the thick, weighty low end, smooth top, and forward midrange that define the vintage Neve sound. This example is a 24-channel, 8-group frame loaded with a mix of original Neve and reissue 1066, 1079, 1084, and 1073-family channel amplifiers. Its routing modules and the full signal path through to the transformer-balanced direct outs are original Class A Neve design.
As a custom order, serial no. A4131 carries several factory features not found on standard 8026 consoles. These include quad panning on the channels, reverb returns, and monitor section; PFL and stereo solo-in-place; buffered main outputs with 4-track, 2-track, and mono foldown; and transformer-balanced pre- and post-fader group inserts at the patch bay. Cosmetically, the console presents very well for its age. The original silkscreening is intact with minimal wear, all knobs are present, and nearly all switchcaps are original. The integral Mosses & Mitchell longframe patch bay is unmodified and in very good condition.
Neve BCM10 Ten Channel Console Frame #A795
Here’s a vintage Neve BCM10 console from 1970 that’s perfect for smaller studios. Its Class A design and transformer-balanced topology deliver that classic British console sound. Packed with 10 1895 routing modules and 5 1272 line amps, the BCM10 Ten is a compact workhorse built for serious tracking and summing.
Neve 8014 Console Frame #A3432
For mid-sized studios seeking classic Neve tone, check out this Class A 8014 console frame from the early 1970s. It comes loaded with 16 1883 routing modules and monitor returns across two separate panels. Best of all, it's fully customizable. Load it up with your favorite Neve-style modules and build the desk of your dreams!
