Well tanks @Wibbles and @craigb for nuttin'
I still don't know if they should be with or without ski boards. ?
Other than maybe the aforementioned album prolly does not have ski boards.
That I do, that I do.
I now get them exclusively with 3 packs (EXBass, EZKeys, EZdrummer, Superior SDXs) or midi 6 packs from Thomann. On the whole I save 50% off list price and that really beats waiting for 40% off sales.
Update: Since I respect Tom's opinion I picked up a used (mint condition) AEA R88 mk2 stereo ribbon mic on Reverb for $1638.
Now I'll have choices galore.
I wanted to replace my mid-grade drum overhead mics to these:
But I got this instead:
First off I, got mine brand new for $954 with tax and shipping on reverb.com.
Why would I get one mic in place of two? Well on deep dive the Sphere can actually operate as a stereo mic when positioned directly between the front and back capsule.
And, the software emulates the Coles, so I 'get' the Coles sound for less than a third of the price. And I get to sell my two Sennheiser condenser mics for a little mo9re cash back.