This microphone is truly one of the best microphones I have ever purchased...I cannot recommend it enough!

I picked one of these up to have a great vocal mic for females in the studio, and it did not disappoint. I have other high end mics, but this one is not so hyped in the highs while also providing rich lows and mids. and is always natural and smooth sounding. Great tone on females with minimal EQ.

I also do a lot of solo acoustic guitar work. This mic is excellent off axis. Less phasey and more natural than any LDC I've tried and sounds better than most SDCs (might be better than my Schoeps too). The best all around mic I have for my uses.

Note - the five pickup patterns are all useful and do make quite a difference with this mic.

I got to use a pair of these in a jazz octet session earlier this summer, it was used on trumpet, trombone and his conch shells. These mics were clear as day and picked up every little nuance of the musicians in the most flattering way while still being transparent. If I could afford it I'd have 4 of these and bring them with me to every session, if you're thinking about picking one up just do it.

We use one for acoustic guitar and voice over work in video. Warm tone that is very pleasing.

Mics I've used before: Neumann U87ai, TLM193, KMS104, KM184. AKG C414/B-ULS, Sure SM57/58, CAD E-200, AKG C3000, Earthworks TC30K,

Current signal chain: Summit TPA-200B into Alesis HD24XR

Most impressed by how this mic handles acoustic guitar. Never heard a LDC(actually this is a medium diaphragm mic) that handles the harmonics, especially when doing finger picking, so well. Nothing's added and nothing's taken away. Very Hi-Fi sound. And it seems to capture the true sound of my Martin guitar like no other mic has, even the Earthworks mics that are supposed to be laser accurate.

As many say about this mic, it's an honest mic. It doesn't hype the highs, which, like it's sibling the TLM193, can sound boring compared to many other mics like the u87 that have that high-end lift to them. I had a TLM193 once years ago and sent it back quickly because it didn't wow me. But I've since come to appreciate the true-to-source nature of these microphones. Put in in front of something you already like the sound of and then never have to do another thing to that sound during the recording process.

I find I like it better as a vocal mic for folksy stuff than a u87. But a u87 does better for cutting through a thick rock mix. Also, while close in sound to a TLM193, I don't think they have the exact same sound in cardioid mode. The TLM193 sounded a bit more honky to me on vocals, which is why I chose the 170, as it sounded a bit more even and flat.
And I also wanted the multiple polar patters, which I'm really glad I got as I can get it really close to my acoustic in omni mode without too much bass proximity effect.

It sounded decent on guitar cabs as well, giving a more honest sound than the other mics I currently own. But it did sound a bit brittle with clean electric tones. Perhaps a ribbon mic would be better for this application.

Build quality is top-notch.

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In recording a Big Jazz Band, I set up a shoot out for solo instrument overdubs and let the conductor choose in a blind test situation. The Tlm 170 was pitted against a NeumannM149, an AKG 414, a Neumann KM184, A Blue, Baby Bottle, and a Sure SM 81. The choice was easily made that the Tlm 170 reproduced the sound of the Trumpet, Trombone and the Saxophone as they sounded in the room without coloration. This mic also works equally well on vocals, especially in the Omni mode, close micing.

I love this mic. I have a deep mic locker with some great vintage and modern stuff to choose from, but I find myself turning to this mic to capture the realistic sound of instruments nearly every time even over my schoepps. It's mainly because of the way it adds up when multi tracking. It remains clear when a "sexier" mic with shimmering highs or low mid warmth would turn to screech and mud when coupled with itself. I'm talking about instances where I'm recording me+me+me+me.
Great with all manner of strings and piano, really nice on wood winds, and both Pavarotti and Paul Simon have used it as a vocal mic. The ultimate utility and all around mic.

I worked pro audio for many years, and the first lesson I learned was that the sound quality can never be better than your microphones. It all starts there...and with the TLM 170 you're getting a mic whose sound you can love for its smooth response and sparkling clarity. I use mine with an API 512b preamp, and it's a combination that consistently gives me fabulous sound quality for vocals and acoustic guitars. I've owned my TLM 170 since 1990, and I've never regretted spending the bux. It's simply a superb microphone.

I've owned this mic since 1988, and it's the best investment I ever made... and the price has more than doubled from then 'til now. My TLM170 sounds better over time. And now with a DAW, a great mic with no coloration makes even more sense... I wish you the best with your choice, I know I have no regrets whatsoever with this mic.