Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 4 stores. Prices updated .

Reverb
5.0 (1)
$1,133.08 New
$1,150.00 Used
B&H
5.0 (2)
$1,482.00
Thomann
4.9 (38)
$1,249.00 $1,239.00 $10.00 · All time low
Vintage King
4.9 (18)
$1,621.00

Average Price: $1,325

Standard/Professional

$499

$1500+

Price Tier

Budget

Standard

High-end

Price History

Based on price data from 3 merchants for "Coles Electroacoustics 4038". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 7, 2026.

* Product prices and availability are updated by Equipboard every 24hrs and are subject to change. Equipboard may receive compensation for purchases made at participating retailers linked on this site. This compensation does not affect what products or prices are displayed, or the order of prices listed. For more information, please refer to our affiliate disclosure.

Description

Introducing the Coles 4038, a timeless ribbon microphone delicately crafted to retain its original character from the 1950s. This classic piece of studio gear imparts a rich, deep tone that beautifully complements drums, guitar amps, horns, and any sound source that craves a tempered high frequency response. Its provenance from the golden age of the BBC and STC speaks to its enduring quality and performance.

Key Features:

  • Ribbon microphone type
  • Offers a dark, heavy sound
  • Ideal for drums, guitar amps, horns
  • Significantly reduces high frequencies
  • Maintains original 1950s design and build
  • Manufactured by Coles, a trusted name in sound technology

Product specs

Available since April 2011
shockmount included No

FAQs

What are the primary uses for the Coles 4038 Studio Ribbon Microphone?

The Coles 4038 is renowned for its use in studio recording, particularly as a drum overhead or for capturing brass and string instruments due to its smooth, natural sound.

How delicate is the Coles 4038 microphone?

The Coles 4038 is sensitive to strong air movements, which can damage the ribbon element. It's recommended to avoid placing it near kick drums or loudspeaker bass ports.

Does the Coles 4038 require phantom power?

No, the Coles 4038 does not require phantom power, and applying it can damage the microphone.

What is the polar pattern of the Coles 4038 microphone?

The Coles 4038 features a figure-eight polar pattern, which captures sound equally from the front and back while rejecting sound from the sides.

Is the Coles 4038 suitable for vocal recordings?

Yes, the Coles 4038 is often used for vocal recordings, offering a warm and natural sound that is especially favored in broadcast and studio settings.

Vintage King

Vintage King

Coles 4038 | Microphone | Vintage King

Video thumbnail for Coles 4038 | Microphone | Vintage King by Vintage King

Coles 4038 | Microphone | Vintage King

Vintage King

Vintage King

Video thumbnail for Coles 4038 Ribbon Microphone | Reverb Demo Video by Reverb

Coles 4038 Ribbon Microphone | Reverb Demo Video

Reverb

Reverb

Video thumbnail for 5 Ribbon mic comparison Coles 4038 Royer 122 Stager SR-3 SE NRN1 AEA R84 put to the test by CINEMAPHONIC Live Sessions

5 Ribbon mic comparison Coles 4038 Royer 122 Stager SR-3 SE NRN1 AEA R84 put to the test

CINEMAPHONIC Live Sessions

CINEMAPHONIC Live Sessions

Video thumbnail for Coles 4038 -  Passive Ribbon Microphone  - Overview - Review - Samples by purewaveaudio

Coles 4038 - Passive Ribbon Microphone - Overview - Review - Samples

purewaveaudio

purewaveaudio

Video thumbnail for Overhead Microphones - Coles 4038 by Big Bear Studios

Overhead Microphones - Coles 4038

Big Bear Studios

Big Bear Studios

Video thumbnail for New Vs Vintage Coles / STC 4038 Ribbon Microphone by Cole Picks Vintage

New Vs Vintage Coles / STC 4038 Ribbon Microphone

Cole Picks Vintage

Cole Picks Vintage

Video thumbnail for Coles 4038 Ribbon Microphone by Dan Baker

Coles 4038 Ribbon Microphone

Dan Baker

Dan Baker

Video thumbnail for Coles 4038 Unboxing, Review, and Demo! by Steven Zhu

Coles 4038 Unboxing, Review, and Demo!

Steven Zhu

Steven Zhu

Reviews

PROS

  • Excels with various sound sources: drums, guitars, strings, vocals

  • Adds warmth and depth, enhancing musical textures

  • Classic, realistic sound quality; counter to modern processed sounds

  • Flexible with EQ adjustments, maintains musical relevance at extreme settings

  • Captures sources as closer than they are, adding intimacy

  • Compatible with low-cost preamps without loss of quality

  • Dense, well-crafted design ensures durability

  • Natural and detailed frequency response

  • Ideal for both intimate vocals and full band setups

  • Smoothens top ends and fattens sounds effectively

CONS

  • Heavy, requires sturdy stand and shockmount for optimal use

  • Can be too intimate/specific for highly produced pop/rock tracks

  • Needs protection from air blasts, necessitating a pop-filter

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Coles Electroacoustics 4038.

Features and functionality

  • Coles 4038 is more sensitive compared to models like the Royer R-121; even a medium gust of wind can stretch the ribbon.

    Source

Setup and maintenance

  • Using an isolation transformer or phantom power blocker can prevent potential damage when board-wide phantom power is unavoidable.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • Cloud lifters can mitigate noise issues in older XLR runs, beneficial in concert settings with outdated cabling.

    Source
  • The Coles 4038's darker tone helps manage shrillness in clarinets without heavy EQ, providing a natural warmth.

    Source

Build quality

  • The foam in Coles 4038 cases can compress over time if stored on their sides, potentially affecting storage quality.

    Source

User experience

  • More modern 4038s, post-2005, tend to tolerate accidental phantom power better than older models from the 70s.

    Source

Comparisons

  • The Cascade VinJet was found to be indistinguishable from the Coles 4038 as a drum overhead in one user's experience.

    Source
  • The SE Voodoo VR2 offers a balanced frequency range with more high end than typical ribbons, while remaining smooth and natural, at a more affordable price.

    Source
  • The Stager SR-2N has more high-end presence than the Coles 4038, potentially making it a better choice for some applications.

    Source
  • Beyer M160 has a hypercardioid pattern and similar frequency response to the Coles 4038, with a rise around 4k but lacks the extended low end of the 4038.

    Source
  • NoHype Audio LRM-V is praised for its versatility and warmth, being used successfully on a wide array of sources from guitar cabs to vocals.

    Source

Critic Reviews

Coles 4038 review: The ribbon mic of choice

higherhz.com

The Coles 4038 is an iconic ribbon microphone celebrated for its warm, natural sound and extreme versatility, making it a staple in studios for decades. Its robust build promises durability, and it excels across various applications, from vocals to drums. However, its high price tag, just under $1500, might deter budget-conscious buyers. If you can afford it, the 4038 is a high-quality investment that promises to enhance any recording setup.

positive

Coles 4038 Review

recordinghacks.com

The Tape Op review hails the Coles 4038 as an indispensable studio asset, capable of transforming electric guitar amps into auditory gems and offering rich, crunchy room-mic qualities behind drum kits. Though its smoothing effect on acoustic guitars might be excessive for some, the mic's allure makes its $1050 price tag seem justified. Despite limited vocal testing, the anticipation of owning a pair speaks volumes about its value. An exceptional tool for discerning studios.

positive

Mixdown's Picks: Coles 4038 - Mixdown Magazine

mixdownmag.com.au

The Coles 4038 is celebrated as a legendary ribbon microphone with a timeless design and a rich sonic history. Its exceptional frequency response and easy placement make it a versatile choice for capturing a wide range of instruments, notably excelling as a drum overhead. While its vintage roots are evident, the microphone holds its own in modern recording scenarios, praised for its smoothness and ability to mitigate phase issues and harsh transients. Revered by iconic producers and musicians, the 4038 is hailed as a worthwhile investment for its ability to enhance the sonic quality of any project effortlessly.

positive

5.0 out of 5

Based on 1 Review and 10 Ratings

5 star
4 star
3 star
2 star
1 star
bobguido7

"My favotire mic that I basically use on everything!"

"My favotire mic that I basically use on everything. This mic does something that no other mic does. It hides the nasty and it makes everything sound more texturally complex that it really does in real life"

Artist usage

Add artist
See how Jack White uses Coles Electroacoustics 4038

Jack White

Singer, Guitarist

The Raconteurs

...
Verified via YouTube

Seen here in 'It Might Get Loud' used as a vocal mic to get a bullet-mic-sort of sound. Usually he also uses these mics for guitar amps and as room mics, as mentioned by his engineer in a Sound On Sound article (http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/oct07/articles/insidetrack_1007.htm): "Jack loves the sound of ribbon microphones, so we used a lot of them, on guitar amps, vocals, and as room mics: Coles 4038, Royer 121, AEA R84. I would have six to 10 room mics up, and would chose a stereo pair from them."

See how Josh Homme uses Coles Electroacoustics 4038

Josh Homme

Guitarist

Kyuss

...
Verified via Soundonsound

The Coles 4038 Broadcast Recording Ribbon Microphone is a part of Josh Homme's studio equipment setup.

See how Paul McCartney uses Coles Electroacoustics 4038

Paul McCartney

Singer, Bassist

The Beatles

...
Verified via Soundonsound

Used for the bass and organ on The Beatles, as mentioned by sound engineer Ken Scott in this June 2012 Sound on Sound interview.

"In addition to Paul's bass being DI'd, the cabinet probably would have been miked with a 4038, [Neumann] U67 or [AKG] C12. I would have used two 4038s on the organ, 67s on John and George's guitars, and it could have been anything on George's vocal.”

See how Mac DeMarco uses Coles Electroacoustics 4038

Mac DeMarco

Singer, Guitarist

Mac DeMarco

...
Verified via Tapeop

"For This Old Dog, I got interested in nicer gear. Now I have legitimately nice shit, for better or for worse. I have a bunch of really nice preamps and little sidecars. I have a set of Coles [4038 mics]"

See how George Harrison uses Coles Electroacoustics 4038

George Harrison

Singer, Guitarist

The Beatles

...
Verified via Soundonsound

Used for the organ on The Beatles, as mentioned by sound engineer Ken Scott in this June 2012 Sound on Sound interview.

"In addition to Paul's bass being DI'd, the cabinet probably would have been miked with a 4038, [Neumann] U67 or [AKG] C12. I would have used two 4038s on the organ, 67s on John and George's guitars, and it could have been anything on George's vocal.”

See how Johnny Marr uses Coles Electroacoustics 4038

Johnny Marr

Singer, Guitarist

Modest Mouse

...
Verified via Mixonline

This article on the making of Marr's 2018 Call the Comet album by MixOnline.com touches on some of the gear used during the recording process. "The Beyer is mainly placed outside drummer Jack Mitchell’s kick drum. An SM57 is placed at the top of the snare, with Coles 4038 and Neumann KM 184 as overheads, equidistant from the snare. These might have some compression through a UREI 1178, all going through the Neve 1081 preamp, with a few of the microphones going into a UA 2-610." (While the engineer is providing this feedback, the gear is housed in Marr's own Crazy Face studios, which contains gear he's collected over his decades in the music industry.)

See how John Lennon uses Coles Electroacoustics 4038

John Lennon

Singer, Guitarist

The Beatles

...
Verified via Soundonsound

Used for the organ on The Beatles, as mentioned by sound engineer Ken Scott in this June 2012 Sound on Sound interview.

"In addition to Paul's bass being DI'd, the cabinet probably would have been miked with a 4038, [Neumann] U67 or [AKG] C12. I would have used two 4038s on the organ, 67s on John and George's guitars, and it could have been anything on George's vocal.”

See how Jonny Buckland uses Coles Electroacoustics 4038

Jonny Buckland

Guitarist

Coldplay

...
Verified via Sound On Sound

Rik Simpson: “ “I’ll record acoustic guitars with two small–diaphragm condensers — Telefunken M60s or Neumann KM84s — pointing at the 12th fret at a 45–degree angle, and possibly an ambient mic; something crusty like a Coles 4038 is good. ”

See how Damon Albarn uses Coles Electroacoustics 4038

Damon Albarn

Singer, Guitarist

Gorillaz

...
Verified via YouTube

In 0:00, i can see Coles 4038.

See how Jacob Collier uses Coles Electroacoustics 4038

Jacob Collier

Singer, Guitarist

...
Verified via YouTube

In this logic session breakdown, the Coles 4038 can be seen used as an overhead on his drum kit.

See how Michael League uses Coles Electroacoustics 4038

Michael League

Bassist, Music Producer

Snarky Puppy

...
Verified via Soundonsound

Used for the upright bass on David Crosby's Lighthouse, as stated by mix engineer Fab Dupont in this December 2016 Sound on Sound interview. League can be seen recording with the mic here.

Electric and upright basses were tracked quickly, one-take style, by Michael. It went so fast that I am not 100 percent sure what gear we used. I’m pretty sure the electric bass went through the Apollo Twin rig into an Ampeg amp that was lying there. For the upright, I can tell from pictures that I used my usual two-microphone system, with a large-diaphragm cardioid condenser in front of the beast and a small-diaphragm omni shoved in the bridge. In this case I used one of their ELA M251s and an AKG C451, but I vaguely remember they only had a cardioid head. I also remember that, for fun, I added a Coles ribbon next to the 251. I ended up using a blend of all three during the mix.

See how Steve Albini uses Coles Electroacoustics 4038

Steve Albini

Singer, Guitarist

Big Black

...
Verified via YouTube

video recorded at Electrical Audio, Steve Albini's studio, mic shown at 3:00

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Coles Electroacoustics 4038, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

Sennheiser MD 421-II
Sennheiser MD 421-II Dynamic Microphones
9
Shure SM57
Shure SM57 Dynamic Microphones
8
Neumann U67
Neumann U67 Condenser Microphones
7
Neumann U87
Neumann U87 Condenser Microphones
6
Neumann U47
Neumann U47 Condenser Microphones
5
Universal Audio 1176LN
Universal Audio 1176LN Effects Processors
4
Wunder Audio CM7
Wunder Audio CM7 Condenser Microphones
4
Shure SM7
Shure SM7 Dynamic Microphones
4
Avid HD I/O
Avid HD I/O Audio Interfaces
4

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