Sidhu wrote:

Hypothetically speaking, if i were to be able to spencd much on
overheads, which ones do i go for : (bear in mind id like using them
for guitars etc too)

Shure SM81 or the AKG 451.

I would pick the original 451 over the SM-81, but I would pick the SM-81
over the new 451EB.

I am tempted towards the Oktavas but as stated, i might not like a
vintage flavour, and then soundroom has not as of yet replied to my
email.

Vintage flavour? The whole notion of a small diaphragm condenser is to
be as neutral as possible.

Flute (all kinds, bamboo) Violin (mostly indian carnatic, sounds a lot
fatter than western classical) Guitar (yet to achieve a good acoustic
sound, the only really alluding factor so far), Tabla, dholak, Dholl
and other indian percussions. Heavy metal and voice.

I would tend to pick high grade dynamics for most of these things if you have
to spot mike them, or small diaphragm condensers if you can pull back.

I mentioned that i tried the 421 on a kik once and dint like at all
(compared with a D12, twas an old mic). But it sound good on a Tabla.

Have you considered a used D12 then? I'm no fan of those but they aren't
that expensive used.
--scott
--
"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."