Sennheiser 421 - AKG D12 History??

akg414 · Post by **akg414** » Fri Jan 05, 2007 11:07 am

Does anyone know the range of years an AKG D12 was produced? Ditto for the Sennheiser 421 (light gray models).

I own these mics and was curious of their approx lifespans.

Many thanks...

Professor · Post by **Professor** » Fri Jan 05, 2007 11:23 am

Not sure on the AKG, but I know that Sennheiser just had a 35th anniversary edition of the 421 maybe 3 or 4 years ago. So it's pushing 40. Not sure when the switch was made from original to mk-II versions but I seem to recall hearing it was in the 80s somewhere.

-Jeremy

Nineteen Billion · Post by **Nineteen Billion** » Sun Feb 25, 2007 2:54 pm

Yeah, there seem to be so many variations on the 421. Where can I find out about the differences through the ages and which ones people prefer? Is there a little (hopefully not terribly biased) history page somewhere?

cgarges · Post by **cgarges** » Mon Feb 26, 2007 10:21 am

Professor wrote:Not sure when the switch was made from original to mk-II versions but I seem to recall hearing it was in the 80s somewhere.

I'm pretty suire it was around 1995 or so.

Chris Garges
Charlotte, NC

Mix413 · Post by **Mix413** » Mon Feb 26, 2007 8:31 pm

The AKG D12 was introduced around 1952-53. It was pretty commonly used as a vocal mic.

digitaldrummer · Post by **digitaldrummer** » Mon Feb 26, 2007 10:39 pm

this is a great site if you haven't already seen it:

http://www.coutant.org/

frans_13 · Post by **frans_13** » Mon Sep 01, 2014 3:05 am

D12 (versions D12/60, D12/200, D12/250, D12/Hi): 1953/1954 stopped probably in 1976
D20/60B, D20/200B, D20/250B, D20B/L (= D12 mit Bass-filter): 1961
D25/60B, D25/200B, D25/250B (= D12 with integrated spider suspension): 1959
D30B (= D12 with selectable polar pattern): 1959
D36B (= D12 with remotely selectable polar pattern):1961 (1963 ?)
D40B (= D30B with integrated spider suspension): 1959/1960
D22B (Stereo version with two rotatable D12): 1966
D12E (relauch of the original D12 with built in XLR plug): 1978, stopped in 1986
D112: 1986

DokorderFreq · Post by **DokorderFreq** » Tue Sep 09, 2014 4:34 pm

I recall seeing a photo of John, Paul & George on stage with a light gray pair of Sennheiser MD421s on stands for their vocal duties. Had to have been late '64/early '65 (Help!) era. It struck me by surprise, cause I didn't think they were around back then. And for some reason I believe it was a performance in Sweden.

Food for thought.

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Sennheiser 421 - AKG D12 History??

Sennheiser 421 - AKG D12 History??

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