This is the exact point in the market I try to look out for when I'm buying any kind of product - not just studio gear. I've heard someone referring to some kinds of products as the 'AK-47 option' - as in reliable, ubiquitous, mendable, versatile and (relatively) inexpensive. I think the other classic examples were telecasters, SM57s and the Toyota Hilux if memory serves.

Anyway, really cool to see a write up like this on an iconic but often unsung-hero of a piece of gear.