Here's another thread going that will answer your question:
https://gearspace.com/board/geekslut...4-capsule.html

They're all interchangeable (swappable).
Does Tele-USA sell their CK-12 capsule?

all the brass ck12 414's got bought up a few years ago so people could scavenge that brass ck12 … (looking at you VK) the nylon ones are fine for tons of stuff and they sound better than the later models uls, xls, xlii etc… now people are trying to get stupid prices for eb versions with nylon ck12 's like 1200-1500 and now people are trying to pimp their brass ck12 414's for like 3500 each… crazy.

I've been owning a pair of C414 XLS for over a year now, using them in various situations.

I know that the most recent versions of these mics are really fragile. They won't survive falling from a chair. The case they come with also looks cheap. Feels like they put it all into the sound, because they do sound great.

Before buying them, I hesitated with the XLII version, which has more high end I think. I do not regret my choice: the XLS already have tons of crystal clear high end, especially used in omni. I've recorded drums, guitars, vocals, piano... And in a few occasions of course I'd have tried the XLII, but for most of them a little EQ did the job just fine.

If you want something versatile, I'd say go for the XLS.

This is a very old thread. There are many newer 414 threads. But I agree with your opinion.

I've owned many eb models, purchased new in the 70s.

The current xls models are great. Yeah, the plastic handles come off of the silver plastic cases, but the mics are great as they are now circa 2021.

Gotta say my T-bone sm58 knockoff greatly outperforms the C414 - and the brand new C414 I received started making wind and scrape noises after just a few hours, really bad quality mic.
Called AKG (pro audio) about it, they were apparently busy and were going to call me back but, several days later still haven’t called me back.
Bad quality, bad company, I would recommend a 30$ SM58 knockoff over this for any task - will never buy AKG again, I always buy high end and pay premium except for the t bone I got for fun, this AKG mic is really ****, add to that how they ignore customers, nah fam.