We all know what a Fairchild is and pretty much all of us know we’re never going to own a real one. An original unit now fetches over $100,000 and a small but significant market for authentic clones of this complex beast has developed over the years for those who want as close as they can get to the real deal.
However if you wanted a new Fairchild which says ‘Fairchild’ on it, you were out of luck until now. Toni Fishman, the man behind Telefunken Elektroakustik, has introduced Fairchild Recording Equipment LLC to breathe new life into the iconic Fairchild 670 vacuum tube compressor.
Legendary Legacy
Toni’s new venture Fairchild Recording Equipment LLC has unveiled its flagship product—a faithful replica of the Fairchild 670. The "new" Fairchild 670 emerges after a five-year journey of research and development. The company states that this recreation adheres meticulously to the original's specifications, the original controls, six selectable time constants and hand-wired point-to-point construction.
Historical Context
In its initial incarnation under the banner of Fairchild Recording Equipment Corp, the mono Fairchild 660 took the stage first, born from the mind of Rein Narma under the guidance of the legendary Les Paul. The 660's design caught the attention of Fairchild founder Sherman Fairchild, who licensed it and enlisted Narma as his chief engineer. The Fairchild 660 found its home with jazz recording virtuoso Rudy Van Gelder, while Les Paul himself acquired the third unit. As word of their remarkable capabilities spread, Abbey Road Studios made a noteworthy investment in a dozen Fairchild 660s during the early 1960s. The Fairchild 670 eventually received its due accolades when it was inducted into the TEC Awards Hall of Fame in 2007.
Limited Edition, Price, and Availability
The revived Fairchild 670 is being produced in limited numbers. It is available at an MSRP of $35,000. Fairchild has appointed a select group of dealers. Initial domestic dealers include Sweetwater and Vintage King in the US and SX Pro in the UK. Nashville's Blackbird Studio has already secured one of the earliest units.