AKG C 451 B

Along with the Neumann KM84, which is a bit more colored than the super-flat 451, the 451 has for decades been at the top of the pencil condenser field.
The fact that it’s durable, versatile, and not-outrageously-priced is what lands it in the mic cabinets of most major studios. We’ve perennially relied on stereo pairs for micing drum overheads, acoustic guitars, pianos, and the occasional field recording. Hot tip: try using it for the top and bottom of a brushed snare — brush details will come through loud and clear.