Gauge ECM-47 Stealth Tube Condenser Microphone

I got this mic at a songwriters' convention almost a decade ago when Gauge first launched and they happened to be doing demos of their initial product line on site. At the time I was too green in my knowledge of microphone design and lineage to know what other mics the ECM-47 was (or wasn't) tipping its hat to, I just knew it was a sleek-looking tube mic at a really accessible price. I'm still curious and surprised that it seems to be a virtually unknown commodity with little mention in trades or gear forums. Over the last several years, I've used the ECM-47 for vocals and acoustic instruments on literally hundreds of professional recordings (actual single/album releases) and it has never once sounded or felt cheap or semi-pro, especially when paired with a muscular and clear sounding preamp like an API or Focusrite ISA. While I certainly still yearn for a desert island ELA M 251 or a U67 in the long run, the ECM-47 has been a rock solid staple in my studio. As recently as a few days ago I tracked stacks of vocals as well as a mandolin part on it, and the tracks all just sat nicely in the mix with this robust but clear midrange, without sounding cloudy or nasally, nor needing a ton of EQ or post processing. If I could attempt to describe its character/tone, I think it sort of nods to the "German" (see: Neumann) sound, thick(er) and slightly mid-forward but with more sizzle up top. It's not as rich or 3D as a real 47/67 (what is?!) but for a sub-$1000 mic, it absolutely punches above its weight class and competes easily with offerings from Advanced Audio and Warm Audio, whose WA-251 I also use regularly. The ECM-47 is definitely a sleeper worth checking out, especially if you're overwhelmed with all the obvious budget clones out there.