Can't afford the pricey RCA Type 77 but just want that classic "pill" design on your desk or as a memento gift? If so, you might want to consider one of the some two dozen microphones bearing assorted brand names that surfaced in the US during the 1950's. Mainly of Japanese origin, these microphones reprised the general RCA Type 77 Ribbon Velocity external design while internally employing either a single or double crystal element with application for the home recording or consumer public address market. In most instances the circa 1950 MSRP was between $15.00 and $30.00.

The following list identifies known microphones that fall under this category of Type 77 knock-offs. They appear quite frequently on eBay® and similar auction sites:

• Akrad M-102
• Aiwa Model M-18
• Aiwa Model DM-17
• Aiwa Model VM-12
• AMD Model 38-600
• Argonne Model AR-57
• Argonne Model AR-309
• Armaco Model M8D
• Calrad Model 500C
• Calrad Model DM-15
• Calrad Model VM-12
• Claricon Model 38-600
• Crown Model MC-80
• Densei Model M-36
• Elba CM-104
• Emblem Model M-18
• Fen-Tone Model 500C
• Fen-Tone Model FM-18
• Herald Model M-102
• Imperial Model DM-17
• Lafayette Model 99-4511
• Midland Model 22-104
• Monarch Model MC-80
• Olson Model M-102
• Olson Model M-104
• Philmore Model M-18
• Realistic Model 33-929
• Rystl Model CR-180
• Rystl Model DY-38
• Shield Model MC-80
• Shield Model 102
• Teisco Model CM-40
• Teisco Model DM-302
• Veritas Model V-110
• Zephyr Model 40RC