Vintage 1940's ALTEC 639B Ribbon Microphone-working w/stand, cable, dust cover

Description

Offering a
rare and working 1940's ALTEC 639B "Birdcage" Ribbon/Dynamic Microphone
. (First developed by Western Electric, the company eventually spun off to the Altec Corporation, so the 639B model is identical under both brands.) The most unique aspect of the 639B Microphone is that it has
both a
ribbon velocity actuated element plus a
dynamic moving coil pressure element
. The outputs of these two elements can be used independ­ently or in various combinations by means of a selector switch yielding six selectable patterns.
Designed by the Bell Telephone Laboratories and manu­factured by the Western Electric Company, the 639B Multi-Pattern Cardioid micro­phones have been used by all phases of the audio industry, including motion pictures, recording studios, broadcast, live performance and P.A. applications
.
This mic is in
excellent condition
as you can see from the photos...has benefited from some professional physical restoration by Michael Farabee of RESTOMOD MICROPHONES, including stripping/repainting with dark metallic blue/green enamel and clear coat. The original screen cloth is intact and has no damage. Nice frontal Altec badge. Internally it has the original ribbon motor and transformer
(see last 2 photos)
as well as the secondary dynamic element, both producing
excellent fidelity and strong output
. The sale
includes the Altec desk stand
with the built-in proprietary
3 pin Canon connector and cable terminating with a 3 pin male XLR plug. This sale
also includes the zippered Altec dust cover
. For the vintage microphone collector or recording/broadcast professional, this may be one the finest early 639B's you're likely to come across.
**  WE BUY VINTAGE MICS, INVENTORY REGULARLY UPDATED **
** Click on my eBay username for details. With a life-long career in major market broadcast radio in the imaging/audio production field, I continue to buy and sell, collect and restore vintage microphones primarily from the 1920's through the 1970's. Have a vintage mic to sell, or just have general question...we're here to help.