For sale is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to own one of the most historic pieces of audio recording equipment you are likely to find, a Fairchild 670 stereo tube limiter from the legendary Ardent Studios in Memphis Tennessee. This piece was used on dozens of Gold records and Grammy winning recordings. Included with this sale is a Certificate of Authenticity from Ardent Studios along with some additional historical paperwork from the studio itself (brochures / purchase price sheet / rental sheets).
The Fairchild 670 is known as one of the most valuable and coveted pieces of music recording equipment. This one is not just any Fairchild though. On top of its one-of-a-kind historic pedigree, this example is in fantastic condition and might be one of the nicest 670s you are likely to find. It is an early serial #22, in exceptionally clean condition for its age, from original owners and electronically the essential components are all original unmolested which is very hard to find. The only time it left the studio was for one trip to historic Abbey Roads studios (the two studios had a relationship with each other of trading equipment) where it had some essential Abbey Roads modifications to the Attack/Release times that make this compressor extremely fast and thus more versatile to use on wider variety of source material. This 670 was recently inspected by qualified techs and is fully functional. This unit pairs perfectly with the Fairchild 660 mono tube limiter we have for sale in a separate auction.
A short selection of artists and recordings made at Ardent Studios includes:
Led Zeppelin - III
Isaac Hayes - Hot Buttered Soul
Big Star - #1 Records & Third/Sister Lovers
ZZ Top - Tres Hombres, Eliminator, Degüello, Rio Grande Mud, Fandago!, Tejas
The Staple Singers
James Taylor
John Prine - Common Sense
Al Green - Soul Survivor
R.E.M. - Green
The Bar-Kays
The Replacements - Pleased to Meet Me
Bob Dylan
Stevie Ray Vaughan
The White Stripes - Get Behind me Satan
Gin Blossoms - New Miserable Experience
The Raconteurs - Broken Boy Soldiers
Cat Power - The Greatest
The Afghan Whigs - Gentlemen, Black Loveand many many more.
