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[John Stafford]

Anyone have any idea about this mic? According to the Neumann website 'it is an exclusive version with unique product features'.

Many thanks
John Stafford

[Barry Hufker]

We've had the "ruby" jeweled M49 and the "pearl" M50.  I'm not sure that would look good on a U-87 but maybe...

Guitar-mart marketing -- I don't necessarily disagree.  Everyone is looking to generate some news and stand out from the crowd.

Don't forget the piano-black Monolith TLM 103 for the U.S. market only (to try to stem grey-market purchases).

Barry

[Klaus Heyne]

And now we have the actual information:
Functional aspects identical to regular U87Ai, limited availability (not by numbers, but by time: 1 year from introduction, AES 2007)
Upcharge, retail: ca. $650.- vs. stock

[Klaus Heyne]

And here are the features and details:

(received from Dan Radin, Neumann/USA):

Quote:

September 5, 2007 Dear Neumann Dealer: It is not only a number, it?s a legend!  The U 87, the world?s most commonly used large diaphragm microphone celebrates its 40th anniversary! In honor of this milestone, we are proud to announce the launch of the U 87 Anniversary Set.   The set is a collectors item and a must-have for all true Neumann fans!  The Anniversary Set features the legendary U 87 microphone in a special polished nickel finish and is accompanied by the unique and exclusively designed PS 87 popscreen and EA 87 elastic suspension. The set comes in an elegant vintage-style case with fine embroidery and leather details. Each U 87 Anniversary Set is delivered with a signed, framed certificate of authenticity including the individual microphone serial number. The set even includes a dust cover with the 40th Anniversary logo and a pair of white gloves. The set will only be available for the next 12 months so order now to secure your inventory of U 87 Anniversary editions. Please use the attached order form.   Model: U 87 Anniversary Set       Finish: Polished nickel Shipping Weight: 11.02 lbs. Shipping dimensions: 8.5? x 18.7? 14.0? Pricing: Retail: $4,999.00 Model Comparison U 87 Set Z U 87 Anniversary Set U 87 Ai Microphone classic nickel or matte black polished nickel EA 87 Shockmount classic nickel or matte black polished nickel PS 87 Popscreen ? polished nickel Case Woodbox U 87  fits mic only Vintage style, leather detail, fits entire set Dust cover ? Embroidered cloth Production: Unlimited 12 months

[yoink]

Why Mic companies don't sell their "Anniversary" editions (for that one year) at the same price as the "original" they're celebrating boggles my mind.

If people didn't get suckered into such things and didn't buy them, the companies  would either stop making them, or price them the same as regular editions

Petros Kolyvas
Wanna-be Engineer
Full time Composer and Video Editor

[Schallfeldnebel]

The extra popscreen looks to me very suspect. It may work as an acoustical antenna conducting resonances into the housing of the microphone.

Erik Sikkema

[Markus Sauschlager]

Dan Radin/Neumann/USA wrote on Wed, 12 September 2007 00:52

The set is a collectors item and a must-have for all true Neumann fans!

And maybe as such it should be treated - no need to get it if you merely want a workhorse mic.

I personally find the whole package very appealing cosmetically, and think the upcharge is very reasonable for what you get. Alone the polished metal parts are much more labour intensive to produce (at least with the surface quality that Neumann usually delivers) than a part that's only machined and sandblasted afterwards.
It's lovely that white gloves are included. Can this set be ordered in various (glove) sizes?  

The "40 years" logo is a bit funny. It initially looked somewhat japanese to me before I figured out that it's meant to resemble the head basket of the U87...

[Oliver Archut]

For that price they should include a stainless steel BBQ set, that is the only real must have for any true fan, regardless the Brand Name.
All the "real" Neumann fans I know saved up their money and bought themselves a "real" Neumann mic.... 4x,5x,6x...

[Klaus Heyne]

Schallfeldnebel wrote on Wed, 12 September 2007 04:18

The extra popscreen looks to me very suspect. It may work as an acoustical antenna conducting resonances into the housing of the microphone.

Neumann staff explained it as a tribute to the Beatles days, when a similar looking (probably EMI-made) popper stopper adorned the U48s (and C12s!) at Abbey Road Studios.

[Barry Hufker]

That's exactly it.  The windscreen is classic EMI/Bealtes.

White gloves -- the O.J. audiophile.  "If the white gloves fit, you must commit!"

Barry

[Schallfeldnebel]

Klaus Heyne wrote:"Neumann staff explained it as a tribute to the Beatles days, when a similar looking (probably EMI-made) popper stopper adorned the U48s (and C12s!) at Abbey Road Studios."

Modern pop stoppers not mounted to the microphone itself do a way better job, than this one made from metal if you would ask me.

Erik Sikkema

[Gone]

If anyone has been watching "Live From Abbey Road" on the Sundance Channel - these pop screens appear to be in constant use to this day at Abbey Road. They are on every U47/8 being used for vocals (Dave Matthews, among others). Though one can't perform any type of A-B comparison when listening to these live-in-studio recordings, they sound very good to me.

I personally find the gooseneck windscreens to often be problematic - the gooseneck construction of most models is pretty weak (and I've tried just about every pop screen on the market). They 'wander' after being placed, especially during long sessions. Some of them only will attach to certain parts of a mic stand, due to width of certain parts. I have thrown a few of them out the back door of the studio during a session, when they weren't cooperating.

I think a small pop filter without the excess contraptions would come in handy for musicians who need to read music or lyrics while playing - less clutter.

FWIW - I contacted Dan Radin at Neumann, and they are not currently offering the PS87 pop filter alone (outside of this package, that is). Apparently I'm the only one who would care

[Barry Hufker]

I admit I would be interested in owning a few.

Barry

[Klaus Heyne]

Of course, I immediately asked the Neunmann rep about that, when I saw the screen: can one buy "just" the screen?

He said, offering this accessory independently right now, would cut into the complete package's uniqueness, before it had a chance on the market. Cherry-picking it would defy the purpose of the exercise.

[Barry Hufker]

I imagine Neumann didn't make the screens (just as they didn't make the shockmount).  I know BLUE and RED microphone companies sell that kind of screen.  The question "who makes it for them".

Barry