Groove Tubes Mics

***UPDATED (see my post at the bottom of this page) Unfortunately I have to take back my glowing praise for Groove Tubes. Don't I feel like a fool.
***

Hey, first of I want to say BIG HUMONGOUS THANKS to lazarous & the gang for mentioning that little secret about Alesis mics = Groove Tubes. I've spent the last few weeks hunting down those elusive beasts, and now I'm the proud owner of two AM52s (multipattern FET) and two AM62s (multipattern tube). Dang these mics are schweet! Especially the 62 which finally gives me that "radio announcer" voice I've always wanted!

I wanted to share some interesting info I learned on my hunt. Might be common knowledge to some, but I'll mention it anyway... it's often said that the Alesis AM line (1999) is actually superior to the "identical" Groove Tubes models now in production. This is because the Alesis mics were the last ones made in the USA before Aspen moved half his operation to China. All critical components are still manufactured in the USA, but the final assembly happens in China where quality control isn't as tight. The result is a few bad batches of newer Groove Tubes mics like I've read about here and also a few "non working, as-is" Groove Tubes mics I've seen for sale on ebay. A phrase I've seen a few times is "These mics are awesome... when they work."

Anyway, what's the point of all this? Well, I absolutely love Aspen's handiwork, and I'd love to get my hands on some of the vintage 90s models, back when they were being carefully hand built in California. Unfortunately, there's almost no info on these models on the web. I don't even know what they look like. That's where you guys come in.

I know some of you have the original MD1 and the MD1A. I was wondering if you could tell me the difference between the two. Also, what do you figure their street value is? There's a guy who's selling a pair of matched MD1s for $900. Seems a bit pricey to me, but maybe it's worth it? Your thoughts?

By the way, did I mention the AM62 is a FREAKIN KILLER MIC??

ORIGINAL: Rbh

Congrats... they are a nice find.. hope you got a good price on them... nice core set you there.

Thanks! You would not believe the steal I got on one of the AM62s... 118 bucks! Jeepers a Radio Shack Highball will cost you more than that.

Hey Rbh, I think I read in one of these threads that you've got a MD1. I know the MD1 has a big reputation, and that's probably why it's so expensive compared to the Alesis mics. Should I shell out the bucks for one, or is my AM62 good enough?

There are two versions of the MD1, I have the older one, but I wouldn't refuse a newer one if I could keep the older one too.

The MD1 is a wonderful microphone, can't praise it enough. I use it for male vocals a lot, some female vocals, background vocals, drum overhears, guitar cabinets, and even acoustic instruments from time to time (usually in addition to a small capsule condensor.)

If you can get a decent deal on one it is worth checking out!!!

Bill

Thanks guys! Yea, I'd love to add a MD1 to my collection, but I think I need to slow down and savor what I've got. Besides, I just realized I don't have any money left

But in case any of you GT junkies want a crack at it, it's on ebay here:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=250237586053

The guy has set a reserve of $900 for the pair. There are already 18 bids, so I wouldn't be surprised if the final price was over a grand. Too rich for my blood. Somebody buy it quick before I get tempted to do something stupid.

ORIGINAL: lazarous
Man... $118 for the AM62... good lord! I R Jealous!

I know!! I can't believe I lucked out like that. The advertisement simply said "Alesis Mic - about 12 years old. sitting in closet." I had to email him to find out what model it was. When he told me it was an AM62 my jaw dropped and my wallet flew open That totally makes up for all the bum gear I've been suckered into buying in the past.

I want an md1 and a 1073 neve waaaahhhhh!!!!!!!!

ORIGINAL: LixiSoft

I want an md1 and a 1073 neve waaaahhhhh!!!!!!!!

LoL........well your vox tracks sound damn fine now, your blessed with a great set of pipes, I don't think you need much more help... <G>...

Yeah Lance, at least you're not running around like me saying
"I want a good VOICE waaahhhhhhh!!!!"

Btw thanks for the breakdown, Lixi. That clears things up. Groove Tubes has never been good with keeping consistent names, it gets really confusing. For example you've got your AM11 which reappeared as the GT55 and then rebranded as the ST55, and now I think they've changed the name again to GT50. But they're all the same mic!

Then you've got "MD1", "MD1A", "MD1B"...

One of the problems is that their website doesn't have any info on older/discontinued models, so we're forced to do a lot of guesswork. Sometimes I wonder if all their mics are the same, and they're just messing with our minds.

P.S. You got a killer deal with that $199 Brick! I heard Guitar Center was practically giving away GT stuff for free a few years ago when they were unloading their inventory. Wish I'd been around for that

ORIGINAL: LixiSoft

I want an md1 and a 1073 neve waaaahhhhh!!!!!!!!

LoL........well your vox tracks sound damn fine now, your blessed with a great set of pipes, I don't think you need much more help... <G>...

Man Lixi thanx for the compliments.
Dude, the SP1- is ridiculous man! I liek it better than the NTK I have. It is smooth. Hardly any eq, just low end sweep, no big deal.

I would love to demo something for you on your gear. Wish you were in Cali! You seems to know your mics and pre's man!

Maybe I can come through sometime! Im heade to Macau soon.
Anything I should get? Hmm, maybe 5 more SP1's? lol

ORIGINAL: LixiSoft
Well, I have an MD-1 and an MD-1a. I bought my MD 1 for about $600 new, but GT sold it as a system, it came with the PS2, 2 channel power supply, all cables, a very fancy shock mount with attached pop filter, and a large metal padded case to hold it all. I also have the original GT Tube pre that was designed for the MD-1, an MP-1, a very nice half rack all tube pre, that also sounds great as a DI for guitar. The MD-1 and MD-1a sound the same to me, the 1a was said to have upgraded electronics that give you a lower noise floor, but I can't hear it. I paid $475 used for the 1a and it came with nothing but a foam padded bag, I paid $650 used for GT MP-1 pre and it's worth every penny. I also have a GT Brick I bought new from GC at one of their green tag sales for $199, it's killer as a DI for Bass and sounds great with most mics. My goto vox setup is the MD-1 into a Neve 1073 mic pre, now that is a fat tone, a big fat, thick, rich sound, with sticky fingerprints all over it

Hmmm... I'm kinda surprised that you don't hear a difference between the MD1 and the MD1a... back when they introduced the "a" model there was an offer to MD1 owners to get the upgrade at a very fair price. I borrowed an MD1a from my local gear pimp and spent about a week with it. The improvement in S/N ratio was certainly noticeable, and measurable<G>, but there were other subtle changes to the overall tone, and since I liked the MD1 I kept it stock.

If I came across a good deal on an MD1a on CraigsList or eBay I'd grab it. They really are wonderul microphones for so many things.

The MD1/1073 combo sounds intriguing! I usually use the Groove Tubes MP1 with mine. Guess I need to buy a 1073 or 1081 or two...