Build Your Own Clone Message Board

I'm about to pull the trigger on a NEVE 1073 knockoff, which is Swedish designed (big ups to konfuz and the Swederlanders) and chinese manufactured.
Would replacing a chinese made High Pass inductor with a Carnhill inductor make an audible difference? Would swapping the chinese 2N3055 for an NOS 2N3055 make an audible difference? Of course, I'll be replacing the input and line input transformers as well as the output transformer, as it's board is fitted for Carnhill replacements. The unit is the Golden Age Project Pre-73 DLX. Gonna pick up an FC4 small condenser mic to record me some acoustic with as well. They make the "Comp54" (knockoff of the compressor found in the NEVE 2254 strip) which has the same iron modifications to be done as the Pre-73. Round it out with the EQ73 and you have amazing quality (even without the trannee upgrades) for unreal prices. Pre73-499.99 Comp54 399.99 EQ73 299.00

A neve 1073 costs about 3,500.00 US.

Picking up the Pre, and maybe something else, depending on coin, on thurs eve.

I've seen the PRE-73 sell for 300$ including shipping, one of my friend owns 2 of those.

They sound really really good in stock version, i can only imagine what i could be with the proper mods.

Really worth every $ they're asking for!

The Pre-73 was 300.00 the Pre-73 MKII is 350.00 the Pre-73 DLX is 499.00

Oh! I was'nt aware of those, going to go lurk at them!

humina humina humina!

As long as none of the mods involve boiling on the stove I don't think you can go wrong hahahahaha...

how 'bout dipping the board in a solder "pot". like a "bath" which will loosen and re-flow all joints. you can then pull out those nasty 10 pin mic and line input transformers. to be honest the thing sounds freakin awesome stock.

Those are the best kind---Musical and delicious!

I've heard great things about the Pre73 as is and would love to try one (ended up getting a great deal on the FMR RNP/RNC combo instead).

Got the Pre-73DLX and EQ 73. Been doing testing and shall continue this weekend. Straight out of the box, holy sh*t! I'm no longer in a rush to spend 190.00 + VAT and shipping (like 240.00 total) to replace the chinese input, line, and output transformers, along with the HP inductor. It sounds quite warm, and vintagey as is. Testing with a chinese U47 (with nice NOS AT7) knockoff and SM58. A/B'd with that big Avalon dog (comp/eq/pre) and it blew it out of the water, instantly, to the point where the owner of the avalon is putting it up on ebay and will get like 1,300.00 for it, and spend the 700.00 on the Pre73 and EQ73, then pocket the rest. If you were wanting a mic pre, in this price range, it's confounding how good this sounds.

more later w/clips

Stoked to hear the soundclips, especially the EQ73, to see how it works, i mean the interaction of the knobs....

Anyway, really glad that you enjoy them, we did some testing with the Pre73 and Rhode NTK, could'nt be more vintage/dynamic than that!

First clip is up. It's a nylon string guitar that I played using a pick, going through my chinese U47 (tube, and you definitely hear the tube) going through the pre, with a bit of eq as well. I pulled out some of the boominess and added just a but of top end, as the mic isn't overly bright. OH cool, I didn't think it let me attach the file, but it did. I left space at the beginning of the clip so you can hear that i got things pretty quiet. That's my mini fridge humming in the background. Excuse the quick playing. A bit sloppy.

First, my name is kUnfuz, not KOnfuz Geek

Glad that you support the guys, and Im gonna give you a little GAS for more from them.
I demand that you try to track drums with 3 of their ribbonmics.
You WILL thank me

2 as L/R overhead
1 about 2m infront of the kick.

Thats it, 3 channels of pure drumkit bliss.

Apologies, KUnfuz. There will be no drum tracking in my tiny room. Hard enough to record live vocals and guitar. But yes, Bo @ Golden Age is to be hailed for bring such nice gear in at the workingman's budget. They make like 3 different ribbon mics, and one is active....If I had the money, I'd be putting a Royer on my amp alone with a 57. Which of the Golden Age Ribbons to replace the Royer?

The unorthodox GOLDEN AGE PROJECT R 2 MkII.
Looks wierd, sounds absolutely amazing micing a cab!

Interesting quick mod on that...

"The Acoustic modification process involves removing two of the three layers of metal screening that has been put in place to protect the ribbon from wind blasts and avoid any returns. but as with the previous microphone the sound is opened up and becomes more airy with these filters removed as there are less reflections occurring within the head basket."

Interesting indeed, thanks!