THE NEVE 8058 CONSOLE AT THE VAULT STUDIOS – PITTSBURGH, PA
Originally owned by George Harrison (Beatles) and Pete Drake (Record Producer and pedal steel guitar player) and housed in their Studios in Nashville, this vintage Neve 8058 is one with an amazing history and pedigree. Pete Drake was not only one of the most sought after musicians in the 1960’s, working with hundreds of artists including Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton, The Beatles, Peter Frampton, Dolly Parton, Elvis Presley and more, he was also the inventor of the talk box and produced both George Harrison and Ringo Starr’s solo works.
The desk was subsequently purchased by legendary Producer/Engineer Scott Litt whose work on six R.E.M. records was followed by a remarkable career working with the likes of Nirvana, Bob Dylan, Bon Jovi, and the Indigo Girls, to name a few. It was transferred to his studio in Los Angeles, where is was used by Litt until its reconditioning by Vintage King Audio in 2017.
Ask any experienced engineer or producer…” if there were only one desk you could work on what would it be?” The overwhelming response would be… “a Neve”. The most sought after “Class A” Neve consoles are: the 8058 and the 8068. This 8058 has (24) 1073 modules which are considered the undisputed champ of the mic preamp. The most hi-fi offering, with an ‘airy’ full-bodied sound (think Fleetwood Mac, Nirvana, Pink Floyd, Steely Dan, and most of the classic UK recordings of the 1970s). When you think of Neve Studios – Capital Studios, Ocean Way, Sunset Sound, Sound City, and Electric Lady immediately come to mind. There’s something magical about what they do to signals running through them. These are fantastic for acoustic, jazz, classical, ambience and rock. Nothing in the world sounds quiet like them.
Restored by Vintage King Audio in 2017, this desk has been through pain staking detail to completely recondition all of its modules, faders, compressors and the overall aesthetics, while being mindful of its history and originality.
As of May 2018, this amazing desk now finds its new home at The Vault Recording Studios in Pittsburgh, PA where it has now begun a new chapter in its life. Making great music. Making more history.
