Hi everyone, first post.
I recently bought a P420 mic from a seller I've used many times before, but this time I am a little concerned that I may have receive a fake P420.
While it looks and feels like a real AKG, I weighed it and it is 15g lighter than the 530g listed in the specs. I tested my scales with a Shure SM57 and SM58, and they are both within one gram of spec.
Do you reckon I got a fake mic? Are there any known things to look for in this model?
I appreciate any info that you can provide!!
AKG P420 mic - real vs fake
Re: AKG P420 mic - real vs fake
Is the dealer authorised by AKG? Was the price "too good to be true"?
I think that product line may have moved factory in the last few years; I've noticed some differences. Are you able to inspect the electronics inside? That should give away a fake.
I have access to a real one if it helps.
I think that product line may have moved factory in the last few years; I've noticed some differences. Are you able to inspect the electronics inside? That should give away a fake.
I have access to a real one if it helps.
Re: AKG P420 mic - real vs fake
Whilst not impossible, it’s very unlikely that anyone would make a copy of a P420.
Thomann say it’s slightly less than AKG do, at 525g vs 530g.
AKG themselves may have cut some weight since they introduced it and not bothered to update the documentation.
Chinese fakes have normally been centred on high sales volume dynamics like the Shure SM57, SM58, Beta 58A and Sennheiser E835.
I’d test it to make sure the three pickup modes work properly as that’s easy to test. If they do, and it sounds OK, then I wouldn’t worry any more.
Thomann say it’s slightly less than AKG do, at 525g vs 530g.
AKG themselves may have cut some weight since they introduced it and not bothered to update the documentation.
Chinese fakes have normally been centred on high sales volume dynamics like the Shure SM57, SM58, Beta 58A and Sennheiser E835.
I’d test it to make sure the three pickup modes work properly as that’s easy to test. If they do, and it sounds OK, then I wouldn’t worry any more.
Reliably fallible.
Re: AKG P420 mic - real vs fake
The price was pretty good, but not too good to be true. Comparable to Thomann.
I've gotten it open, and it looks a lot like the inside of ones I've seen being modded online. Is there anything in particular that I should look for?
That is reassuring!
I'm guessing that is why there isn't much info on spotting fakes
Re: AKG P420 mic - real vs fake
Is there is anything "off" or odd about the labeling, or the workmanship? Missing components? It should have a genuine manufacturing date and PCB version, I suspect (I've never opened one up). I've not seen any fake AKG mics, but fake AKG headphones are everywhere!
Re: AKG P420 mic - real vs fake
Nothing looks 'off' as such.
The only internal difference that I can see from the one that the guy is modding on youtube is that the orange rectangle parts (not sure of the name, but has 106V printed on it) nearest the transformer are orange on mine, not black.
That is not entirely a surprise as mine is the newer black mic, not the robocop blue one.
I've gone from 80% sure that this is not a fake to 92.5% sure. Does anyone have the last 7.5%?
The only internal difference that I can see from the one that the guy is modding on youtube is that the orange rectangle parts (not sure of the name, but has 106V printed on it) nearest the transformer are orange on mine, not black.
That is not entirely a surprise as mine is the newer black mic, not the robocop blue one.
I've gone from 80% sure that this is not a fake to 92.5% sure. Does anyone have the last 7.5%?
Re: AKG P420 mic - real vs fake
If it sounds like a genuine one (decent enough, bright, bland/generic) then it's fine. If it's noisy, hums, susceptible to interference, has a weird response or is shockingly bright or thin, it's a copy.
I think that if the logo/badge is produced cleanly, that's all I'd bother checking.
I think that if the logo/badge is produced cleanly, that's all I'd bother checking.
Re: AKG P420 mic - real vs fake
Thanks for all of the help! 
You were FAR more useful than AKG themselves, who really didn't seem to care. I probably won't bother with their gear in the future. Plenty of other options out there (and not enough time to try them all!)
You were FAR more useful than AKG themselves, who really didn't seem to care. I probably won't bother with their gear in the future. Plenty of other options out there (and not enough time to try them all!)