New Vs Vintage Coles / STC 4038 Ribbon Microphone 

So many things going on here. The first thing that popped out to me was how different the hi hats are, they more prominent on the STCs. Then how dry the toms are on the STCs, yet fuller in a way that the heads are differentiated more from the shells. The Coles seem more balanced EQ-wise overall but I get more room sound from the STCs that seems to be a clearer sonic picture that is more truthful than I believe the Coles are conveying. At this age the STCs' screen material is likely super stiff and therefore more porous, its electrical components are also hardened from age and transferring higher current levels than the original spec which would suggest a higher likelihood of harmonics added to louder sources (probably in a very smooth and consistent way). Most materials tend to stiffen with age and become brittle, be it wood, paper, plastics, paper/oil capacitors, ceramic diodes and resisters, etc. Sometimes that's a good thing, like old guitar strings, piano soundboards, violin/viola/cello bodies and tops. Do yourself a big favor and never part with either pair because both of them are awesome tools and there just might be situations down the road where they will compliment each other very nicely.

They're similar but the STC sound different in a couple key areas. Listening with decent headphones it's immediately apparent that the hi-hats are crisper and easily punch through the mix. The toms have more oomph to them as well. I feel like there's more definition and separation of each component of the kit. I mean, in the end they're very similar sounding and the Coles are a reasonable replacement for the STC but they aren't the same, the Coles aren't a 1:1 replacement. If the price difference weren't extreme, I'd choose the STC, but if the Coles were significantly cheaper, I might just go with those and try to EQ out the difference, but, I do prefer the STC. Cool video, thanks for this.

Sounds like the mic are closer on the vintage example. I think for a more fair comparison both mics need to be set up simultaneously with 1 performance and level matched.

Essentially indistinguishable, that bodes well for me when I buy a new pair :)

They both sound great. The new ones have way more low end and a bit more top to my ear.

The lower midrange on the STC's sounds really nice.

Yes, there are small differences (as pointed out by others) but I think from the perspective of feel you get the same thing from both pairs. And it's a great feel! Also your drum sound in the room seems to be great already!

The SCT's were darker, but almost in a low pass filter effect obvious way, not musical. The new ones sounded great.

Great comparison! I would assume the age of the ribbon would affect the sound; maybe it has accumulated dust on it over time. Maybe the weight of the ribbon itself stretched it out a little over time resulting in a different sound. I could be wrong, but maybe this is causing the differences rather than the manufacturer.

oh boy, that's a close one!

Geeeez that's close! Both sound excellent. I think maybe I'm partial to the old but could just be a bit of bias...

Wow, surprised. The vintage was definitely more 3D. Smoother timbre too, Tony less highs as well. Not enough to call "darker"

There's slightly more articulation in the dynamics of the Coles vs STC's. The STC's sound a bit softer with less articulation on the transients. My guess is that the Coles will sound the same as the STC's after 50 years of use too. Or put another way, if they were both the same age, they'd sound even closer to being the same.

would love to hear a Coles / RCA 77 comparison

Who's that drummer? He's great.

Did they turn out to be relatively volume-matched? The old pair sounded like they had a little more dynamic headroom, and I’m wondering if that’s due to slightly different preamp settings?

The vintage have less high end. I like both depending on the application.

When did you buy the new ones? Theres not 2 versions of the modern ones is there? Only asking, because you mentioned them both being the 300 Ohm versions. Also the pic near the end of the video of the mic's, is that the old one, and the newer one? Mine has a different sticker, doesn't say STC like that.

Is this just the overheads or are there other mics in this mix

Too close to tell. I have a modern one. I’m very protective of. I’d hate to stretch the ribbon with a sneeze.

the old ones feel a bit more saturated to me but both sound good. Think I prefer the old ones. Are there some close mics mixed in there?

Wow! Sounds the same!

Barely a difference...a tiny bit more treble smack or presence on the newer ones. I prefer them to the vintage honestly. Kick sounds a lil better (less boxy) on vintage, toms sound better on new version to my ears.

Dynamics are so diferent!! 😮 The accents are clear on the vintage pair! The new one is boring

Dubious speculation: sounds like the STC's might take compression differently (probably better IMO) - characteristic of the transients/ general 'envelope' is different. Nevertheless super similar which is nice. Cool test!