Grundig GBM 125 (circa 1959 – 1960s)
The Grundig GBM 125 is a cardioid ribbon microphone produced from 1959 into the 1960s. Documentation is thin. What the record does show is that the GBM 125 was a rebadged Beyerdynamic design. It shares its pure aluminium ribbon motor and transformer with the Beyerdynamic M260, though at least one source cites the M230 as the companion model. Grundig rebranded microphones from Beyer, Sennheiser, AKG, and others during this era, and the GBM 125 is one example of that practice.
Period sellers and collectors consistently describe the GBM 125 as having the same warm, full sound as Beyerdynamic's popular ribbon models. That makes it a capable utility ribbon for guitar amps, drums, horns, and vocals. It was marketed as ideal for speech and orchestral pickup. One known quirk: the original yarn-covered cables deteriorate over time, so surviving units often show replacement XLR cabling. The unit pictured in one listing is NOS in its original box with a table stand and stand adapter.
No detailed specifications - frequency response, impedance, sensitivity, dimensions - have surfaced in any source. Original pricing is likewise undocumented. The current market asking price sits around $235 - $350 depending on condition and accessories. Momics.org hosts audio samples of speech and nylon-string guitar recorded with the GBM 125.
Known specs
- Type: Ribbon microphone, cardioid polar pattern
- Ribbon: Pure aluminium, 1.8 micron (on at least one replacement unit)
- Motor/transformer: Beyerdynamic-made, shared with M260 (some sources cite M230)
- Production: 1959 through the 1960s
- Common issue: Original yarn cables fall apart over time
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