Fairchild 670 Restoration | Vintage King Audio

Overview of a Fairchild 670 compressor being restored by the Vintage King tech shop. www.vintageking...

[@skent]

I feel all warm and fuzzy after watching this...

[@BillMcGirr]

That was amazing. Whoever owns this must feel like a kid at Christmas. Wonderful work sir.👍🥰

[@johnnymassacre]

Who the hell are Vintage King? All that is clear is whoever is behind this company is a hero who is passion first. 10/10.

[@johncarden5761]

This video gives me positive impression of Vintage King. "So that's what they do!"

[@backspin6698]

Fantastic job. Always nice to watch old stuff comes to live again. I don't "need" one, but I want one. But, I keep use the plugins.

[@Achase4u]

Absolutely proper work done, here. Love the video. Amazing result!

[@listenact]

Very cool. My personal preference would have been to paint and silkscreen the newly fabricated replacement face plate and keep the original one untouched.

[@tedbahas]

Wow BRAVO for preserving a piece of history. Cool video vibe as well!

[@DrewTownson66]

Now do you see why Vintage King is above and beyond any other pro audio dealer? This dedication to quality and customer service is how the King rolls, all day, every day.

[@dramius]

My god... this actually put a lump in my throat & my eyes well up..... freakin BEAUTIFUL.

[@vintagekingproaudio]

The tech shop is in Ferndale, MI just blocks from the VK Headquarters. VKLA is our showroom and demo studio, built in LA.

[@ivoleary6332]

OMG! I almost cried at the end of the video. This is AMAZING!!!!!!

[@therichardinman]

The content is incredible; some people will never be satisfied. Show me another pro audio company anywhere with a restoration video half as good!

[@Brutuscomedy]

Mix:analog's clone thereof just changed my life. such a siiiick unit

[@CraigHollabaugh]

OK, this video was awesome. Thanks for posting.

[@TheRealJerseyJoe]

I had one of these back in the day -- it was one of my favorite tools ever!

[@siliconbrush]

That was a most excellent restoration, you guys are top notch!

[@tubical71]

BEST comp ever @ best possible restoring process (I know what i´m talking about-trust me). THANX for letting us participate (at least a little) on this process!!

[@johnnymassacre]

I'd like to know who bought it, and how much it went for…

[@alf3k1]

Amazing work guys!

[@coldacre]

beautiful restoration. it would be pricey, but getting some NOS tubes in there would be worth it

[@djoptimas]

Amazing work 👏 🙌 👌

[@billyhughes9776]

Incredible work.

[@walkerproductions9260]

I'm trying to get my hands on used Drip Electronics 660 clone which is supposed to be extremely close to the vintage sounding Fairchilds. I've only used the real things a few times when working at some big studios but they are truly magical.

[@els1f]

That thing is beautiful. just the thought of receiving that thing in the mail makes me all giddy. Is there any way I could just watch and bring that guy coffee and tools next time? :)

[@therichardinman]

Thumbs up if the Resolution Magazine article sent you here! awesome work VK...

[@thaexception3406]

That is how you get and keep customers

[@beyondthegong]

My god it’s just gorgeous… 😫

[@sbrave]

Wow, wonder what the bill for that service was?

[@rebinder4643]

hehe

[@fuzzylightning]

Wow! Very impressive.

[@ElfGreatTree]

Ok I am late to the party of folks marveling at this (I am too of course), but I wanted to add that the UnFairchild 670 is a reproduction of this and its a lot cheaper at $10k. Sure its a lot, but I feel its worth it. There were only something like 500 of the Fairchild 670s made.

[@DavidChampoux]

Wow!!!! Just…WOW!!!!

[@vintagekingproaudio]

Couldn't agree more! 🙌

[@tubical71]

I usually clean before any soldering when i´m restoring, because I like a clean "workspace" more than dusty area ;) What you do is RESTORATION - and how it has (and needs!) to be done, if someone want it to be done serously!! :)

[@melitosse]

Hats off to you, watch-repairers !

[@gelatinous6915]

I'd love to watch how you service a pultec!

[@BlackenedNL]

Imagine having this Fairchild in your studio

[@phitoman6964]

its impossible! only if you sell your soul to the devil

[@SanctuarySound]

This was an excellent video. I felt like I was in school again watching informational videos. Lol or like the instructional video from "Dodge Ball" the 5 "D's" of dodge ball "dodge, dip, duck, dive and dodge" LMAO!! The tech in this video even looked a little like Patches O'Holahan. Great video tho!!

[@Signal_Glow]

FFT is interesting with almost 100% more 3rd harmonic than 2nd. Lots of 3rd is typical for push pull circuits and signal transformers.

[@TheRealNewBlackMusic]

wow that was amazing!

[@Szymon19856]

beautiful stuff !!

[@louderthangod]

The closest I'll ever get is the UAD plugin and that sounds pretty great but I'm curious how much better a real one sounds.

[@sartoriusrock]

louderthangod In my limited experience comparing hardware units with their plugin imitations, I find that the term is not always "better," but rather "different." Many times, especially when comparing cheap plugins to the real deal (e.g. Pro Tools' included BF-76 with a hardware 1176), the hardware unit absolutely sounds better. Oftentimes this "better" sound is the result of the circuitry affecting the audio in a way that is simply more aesthetically pleasing than the algorithm of the plugin. Sometimes, however, a plugin shines through. For example, I know that Adam Ayan of Gateway Mastering prefers the UAD plugin of the Manley Massive Passive to any of the hardware units he's had available to him. That's not to say his preference couldn't change however... One quirk of hardware units is inconsistency. Even in the tightly controlled manufacturing of professional hardware audio processing, there are sometimes inconsistencies from unit-to-unit that are difficult to ignore. Some famous audio engineer (though the name currently escapes me) once said something along the lines of "We have five 1176's. Two of them are our favorite doorstops." Especially with vintage circuitry that shows its age (e.g. The Fairchild in this video), just because something is an analog circuit with tubes and an impressive nameplate, doesn't intrinsically mean it is an amazing piece of gear.

[@CDJF1]

louderthangod just listen to any beatles record.

[@Travsonic]

Impressive!

[@Wizardofgosz]

Did you find NOS tubes for the re-tubing, or did you use the new JJ 6386's?

[@precisionsoundworksstudio]

Does this type of project fall within your standard 99 dollar bench service or are there additional charges?

No offense but I laughed at your comment. I think this was a very special restoration project rather than a touch up.

[@ceige42]

very cool!

[@ndubb100]

Just curious, how much do these things typically go for nowadays?

[@donnythompson408]

“How much do these things typically go for nowadays?” As with any vintage gear, it depends on the model’s condition. Over the years, I’ve seen non-working 670’s listed for as low as $20k and needing serious repair, (or even complete overhaul), to as high as $60k, that are in great working condition, or because they have had a complete restoration. There really is no “typical” price; though they certainly command much higher prices than other vintage pieces of the same era; not only because of their rarity (in comparison, it’s not as difficult to find vintage 1176’s or Pultecs, or LA2A’s) but also because of the 670’s now-iconic stature - often being referred to as “The Holy Grail” of limiters... And because there aren’t that many of them left, and that the original components in them aren’t manufactured anymore, those that do own 670’s in good condition will often snatch up non-working 670’s for the “potential” of it having certain components that still work, and that they might need in the future, should certain parts in their working model eventually need replacing. The other factor in the asking price would be “where” the 670 came from; if one had been used in a famous studio, or on classic recordings, then this could seriously jack the price up as well... an example would be if a 670 had been at Abbey Road for 50 years, had been loved, and kept in great working condition, it would command higher prices. And if had been used on famous recordings - like that of The Beatles -then it would be valued even more because of its history. BTW... I’m not suggesting that Abbey Road is selling any of their Fairchilds, LOL, just using them as an example, but if they DID choose to sell one, it would likely cost the buyer the equivalent of a second mortgage, along with their kid’s college fund, plus a lung... and a kidney. LOL. 😉🙏

[@blackjesus1026]

flawless

[@cMaXeJIJIo]

At a hefty 25K+ per unit-yes, it is THE KING of all compressors. At that price point the only people who can afford it don't need any advertisement. "Kids", generally, don't fall into that category...

[@therealdjap]

Amazing

[@MausLab]

hands down!

[@Wizardofgosz]

Question. What burnishing tool is your tech using there, to help clean the switch contacts? I would like to get one just like it.

[@musicaldrops]

Would love to test one of these babies!

[@ckniker]

What was the burnishing tool used to clean the contacts? Someone else asked the question but never saw an answer. I, too, am interested to restore my own equipment.

[@Matt-wz1vv]

Very SOFT 9B pencil. Do NOT use hard graphite pencil. Clean up with isopropyl alcohol.

[@laurenaudio8660]

In case anyone is looking I believe it's a glass fiber brush. Found a stainless steel brush SH-20k on mouser that is a little more abrasive as well.

[@GeigerCounterVirtualMuseum]

That was some work :)

[@bigtonerecords3653]

I have an original Side Chain Trans from a fairchild!

[@Simeon_Harris]

i'm having palpitations just thinking about how much it costs to have that shipped to the customer, let alone how much the restoration cost! beautiful work though. and i'm also thinking how over-engineered the fairchild seems to be. crazy number of tubes!

[@mickrinaldiofficial979]

I need help on finding a stamatics for a fairchild 219 preamp..so hard to find info to fix my unit? ?,can anyone help???

[@lucjansalwa]

That's the Maschine

[@randomguy2243]

THIS HAS TO BE THE SHORTEST VIDEO EVER !!!!!!

[@milieugraye]

Where is the tech shop located? Los Angeles?

[@mickrinaldiofficial979]

Guys i need help....i have a vintage fairchild 219 preamp....it looks alot like this era....does anybody have any info they could help ???

[@slipknot73745]

jizzing my pants at attention to detail ...amazing!

[@johnstarcluster]

nice!

[@wackenthaljef]

How much for this little work? 6000? More?Joke,its an awesome work!

[@maximeraguideau-obadia9878]

60 000

[@wackenthaljef]

Maxime Raguideau-Obadia ,nooon Max,je plaisantais...3,ou 4000 ça serai déjà pas mal!

[@craigsanderson4330]

Wowza

[@Studio201]

Fantastic! Though you should have kept the faceplate scratched, because it looked cool :)

[@MrClubgibson]

I want one...

[@SubbParProductions]

Please take all my gear and make it over!

[@Stillblissstudios]

Restoring the ｀KING´ of compressors. Kids, watch out for hyped advertising.

[@Truelight0]

Wow!!! I can only afford the plug-ins!!! LOL

[@nogoogleplus]

Niceeeeeee

[@PaulAnnis]

Great video and very interesting but I didn't like the aged film look, sorry! Stick

[@tommymai3062]

Wow

[@rickyarte]

hi dear, how are you? please, maybe you can help me in my doubt, i want to built in my own home my LA2A original audio circuit, using commum electronics components of the current stores. how dificult is it for a person that have basic eletronic knowlogdes? will the quality near as the old original if i use exactly the same original eletronic plan? does it will be worth in cost of money, time spent, and quality? i saw the plan, i think it will be easy, maybe i can make it to sell if it works well, could you clear me better?

[@sartoriusrock]

HOBBY-ART Hello! Following a schematic and building your own imitation circuit can be a fun learning experience and a great way to have a well known piece of gear for cheap... but the LA2A is not a circuit I would recommend trying to emulate unless you are an expert in electronics. Because it is an optical compressor, the precision needed to construct a working one is very difficult to achieve. You could probably try to construct a VCA compressor or even a FET compresor like the 1176. Best of luck!

[@DrMerkwurdig]

The Warm Audio WA-2A is really close to the LA2A and I doubt you could build it cheaper than they do. If you want to build a compressor just for fun, the Hairball Audio 1176 clones might be easier, though their DIY come at about the same price as the Warm Audio WA76.

[@fr_reynolds5002]

Ive got so many of these Im using them for door stops. I got fairchilds coming out of my ass and backwards.

[@DrewTownson66]

It ain't bragging if it's true! :-)

[@blenderbuch]

Top Bad the old Style Filter was very distracting.

[@Vt-gm3pz]

Tubes cannot be removed without gloves. Greasy fingerprints burn them out the same way as a light bulb in a car.

[@NoOne-sn2si]

Powering up the unit before replacing known faulty components (like PS filter caps)?!? Amateur move... That rectifier tube was probably functional before you first turned it on. Otherwise, great resto video and yes you do excellent work. Beautiful job. Resist the temptation to turn it on when first receiving it. Total amateur move!

[@Volcanofacts]

It's all bout the 660...

[@numanuma20]

So sad you can find a used one online.

[@DennisBastian]

[@premediesel]

Approx $30k

[@MrPatatoThe7th]

14 transformers and 20 tubes

[@CastPola]

The owner should have asked for the face plate to not be redone...it looked better scratched and faded.

[@qamarmood1157]

Enjoyed watching this but man it look like he was rebuilding a 305 small block lol I see why this thing is 30k

[@LeoAr37]

!!

[@mcshafty1]

Nonsense - but no less charming a video for that. Digital is easier, more hygienic and let's face it - just as good soundwise nowadays

[@transientdeath9653]

😂😂😂😂😂😂 ok let’s hear your recordings then.

[@mcshafty1]

@transientdeath9653 Bahaha It would take more than a Fairchild to improve my recordings, mate!

[@transientdeath9653]

@@mcshafty1 ahaha. As an analog purist and vintage gear ass clown, I am a musician first. No compressor, eq, discrete circuit, tube class a amplifier, transformer, inductor etc etc, will ever replace the power of a good performance and well written song. What has been lost isn’t just the old equipment. It’s musicians who know how to play their instruments. That’s #1. Have fun creating and stay blessed mc

[@TheVoicesofvariety]

:)

[@CurtisMontgomery]

FYI anybody able to fix gear like that makes damn near $200/hr.

[@nikdrown]

Should have just bought the plugin version......; )

[@jeanpierrebullot1493]

Nik Drown 😀😀😀😀😀😀

[@80iesDude45]

Which is really not bad, love it ;-)

[@indieblake]

Nice Try, VK PR guy!

[@spane5mixline]

A nineties African baby doesn't know what this is

[@gorillachilla]

wow