Vintage AKG D19E Dynamic Cardioid Microphone - Museum Grade Complete Bundle (Tested & Fully Working)

Museum-Grade Vintage AKG D19E Complete Bundle — Fully Tested & Working Up for sale is an exceptionally rare, collector-grade vintage AKG D19E dynamic cardioid microphone from the late 1960s. Famously celebrated as the definitive drum overhead and acoustic guitar microphone used by The Beatles at Abbey Road Studios, finding a fully functional D19E in this complete condition is an absolute anomaly. Studio Tested & Verified Performance: Unlike the majority of "as-is" or untested vintage D19s found online, this capsule is in immaculate, factory-healthy condition. It has been safely studio-tested by plugging into an Apogee audio interface to record acoustic guitar in Logic Pro. The audio tracking is completely free of distortion, passing a crystal-clear, warm, and highly articulate signal. Furthermore, rotating the mechanical mechanical "M/S" (Music/Speech) bass collar functions flawlessly, providing a highly noticeable, distinct acoustic low-end roll-off exactly as AKG engineered it. Provenance & History: This microphone features pristine, single-owner studio provenance. It was recently acquired via an estate sale directly from the private basement recording studio of the late Saul Chapman on Hillhurst Blvd in North York (Toronto). Saul Chapman was a prominent mid-century Canadian jazz clarinetist, saxophonist, and composer who led the Toronto Chamber Jazz Sextet throughout the 1960s. Because this microphone spent its entire life safely stored in a professional composer's home studio rather than a harsh commercial rental house or touring road case, it has been immaculately preserved. What is Included: AKG D19E Microphone (Serial No. 175740): Excellent vintage condition. The grille is perfectly clean and round, and the delicate internal moving-coil capsule sounds fantastic. Stamped "Made in Austria" with serial number 175740 clearly visible on the lower housing. Original Hard Box: The original protective hard case lined with factory protective inserts. Original Outer Cardboard Packaging: Extremely rare surviving external factory cardboard retail box featuring original 1960s AKG branding and graphics. It features the distributor/batch serial number 178586 handwritten on the packaging from the time of its original 1960s distribution to Saul Chapman's studio. Original AKG 5-Pin XLR to 1/4” Cable: Factory-original cable, allowing the microphone to be plugged directly into high-impedance inputs, vintage tape recorders, or instrument/Hi-Z preamp inputs. Condition Notes: The microphone is in remarkable aesthetic and mechanical shape for being nearly 60 years old. Please note that the original, thin printed foil "M/S" label strip on the bass ring is present but slightly loose due to the vintage factory adhesive drying up over time. This is entirely cosmetic and does not affect the physical operation of the rotating collar or its acoustic properties. Shipping & Handling: Due to the extreme fragility of vintage AKG moving-coil capsules, this item will be packed with the ultimate care. The mic will be securely cushioned inside its original boxes, which will then be heavily double-boxed with premium bubble wrap. Shipped via UPS/FedEx (not standard post) with full-value insurance. Direct Signature Required upon delivery. Please feel free to reach out with any questions or serious offers. A stunning, investment-grade piece of both Abbey Road and Toronto jazz recording history!