The Coles 4038 is one of the most historically significant microphones ever made, and that is not an overstatement. Originally designed by the BBC in the 1950s as a broadcast standard and built at that time by STC, the 4038 has remained essentially unchanged in design and construction ever since — which tells you everything you need to know about how right they got it the first time. Coles Electroacoustics, the company that has manufactured these microphones since the BBC era, continues to build them in England to the same exacting standard. The result is a microphone that has been on major recordings across virtually every genre for seven decades, favored by engineers who know exactly what they are reaching for when they put one up.
The 4038's character is built around its low-mass damped ribbon element, figure-eight polar pattern, and toroidal ribbon-to-line transformer with hum-neutralizing wiring — a design that delivers a frequency response exceptionally flat from 30Hz to 15kHz with a natural, unhyped top end that sits in a mix without fighting anything around it. It is a dark, warm, and deeply musical microphone, and it handles transients with a smoothness that condenser microphones simply cannot replicate. Engineers reach for the 4038 on drum overheads, guitar amplifiers, brass, strings, upright bass, room ambience, and vocals — the list of applications is as long as the list of legendary records it has appeared on. The figure-eight polar pattern and the mic's deep null make it an exceptionally useful stereo tool, and buying a matched pair with consecutive serial numbers is the right way to own these.
This pair is in excellent condition — both mics are clean, fully functional, and showing minimal signs of use. Consecutive serial numbers confirm factory matching. The complete factory kit is present for both microphones: rigid foam-lined carrying cases, original owner's booklets, spec sheets, and slip covers. This is as complete and correct a matched pair of 4038s as you will find on the used market.
- Make: Coles Electroacoustics
- Model: 4038 Studio Ribbon Microphone
- Configuration: matched stereo pair, consecutive serial numbers
- Country of origin: England
- Type: Pressure gradient ribbon transducer
- Polar pattern: Bidirectional (figure-eight)
- Frequency response: 30Hz to 15kHz
- Sensitivity: -65dB W.R.T. 1V/Pa
- Output impedance: 300 ohms
- Body: heavy gauge perforated brass with finely woven monel mesh, black stove enamel textured finish
- Transformer: toroidal ribbon-to-line, with hum-neutralizing wiring and magnetic shielding
- Connection: 3-pin XLR (via 4069 jack plug adapter)
- Dimensions: 197mm x 83mm x 61mm (per mic)
- Weight: 1.08kg (2 lb. 6 oz.) per mic
- Modifications: none
- Includes: two rigid foam-lined factory carrying cases, two original owner's booklets, two spec sheets, two slip covers
Ships carefully packed and insured for full value.
International buyers are welcome — please contact us for a shipping quote before purchasing.
About Mill River Music
Mill River Music is an independent, human-powered music shop located in downtown Northampton, MA, run by a team of players, enthusiasts, and certified repair technicians. Every piece of used gear we sell is personally inspected, tested, and set up before it ships — we don't list it until we'd be happy to play it ourselves.
As Martin and Taylor certified techs, we hold our guitar work to a high standard, and we're committed to full transparency about the condition of everything we sell. No surprises.
When you buy from Mill River, you're supporting an independent local business that genuinely cares — about gear, about players, and about doing things right. We're here every step of the way. Reach out anytime.
