Coles Electroacoustics 4038

^# 3

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$1,132.83 to $1,621.00 Price Tier: Standard

5.0 (10)

3 Critic Reviews

1 Review

All time low price

This product is Vintage or Discontinued

Find out who is using Coles 4038

30 wishlisted

49 saved

Page last updated Jul 06, 2026

Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 4 stores. Prices updated July 6, 2026.

Store

Reviews

Price

5.0 (1)

$1,132.83 5 available New

$1,150.00 5 available Used

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5.0 (2)

$1,482.00

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4.9 (38)

$1,249.00 $1,239.00 $10.00 · All time low

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4.9 (18)

$1,621.00

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Average Price: $1,325

Standard/Professional

$499

$1500+

Price Tier

In the Ribbon Microphones category, Coles Electroacoustics 4038 is priced in the upper end of the Standard/Professional range. This is quality gear at a fair price point, suitable for beginners, hobbyists, and pros alike.

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.

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Description

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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.

Videos

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Vintage King

Coles 4038 | Microphone | Vintage King

Vintage King

Coles 4038 Ribbon Microphone | Reverb Demo Video

Reverb

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

CINEMAPHONIC Live Sessions

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

purewaveaudio

Overhead Microphones - Coles 4038

Big Bear Studios

New Vs Vintage Coles / STC 4038 Ribbon Microphone

Cole Picks Vintage

Coles 4038 Ribbon Microphone

Dan Baker

Coles 4038 Unboxing, Review, and Demo!

Steven Zhu

Reviews

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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

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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

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Using an isolation transformer or phantom power blocker can prevent potential damage when board-wide phantom power is unavoidable.
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Use cases and applications

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Cloud lifters can mitigate noise issues in older XLR runs, beneficial in concert settings with outdated cabling.
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The Coles 4038's darker tone helps manage shrillness in clarinets without heavy EQ, providing a natural warmth.
Source

Build quality

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

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

Comparisons

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The Cascade VinJet was found to be indistinguishable from the Coles 4038 as a drum overhead in one user's experience.
Source
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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
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The Stager SR-2N has more high-end presence than the Coles 4038, potentially making it a better choice for some applications.
Source
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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.
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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

Full Review

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

Full Review

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

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5.0 out of 5

Based on 1 Review and 10 Ratings

5 star

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1 star

bobguido7

253

almost 9 years ago

"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"