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[musictech]

Hi! 
I own a vintage U47fet, and a technician (who used to work as a technician for Neumann's dealer service in my country)
told me that the capsule is in...a bad condition.

I have some questions regarding this problem:

-is a reskinning a good option? If yes...who is the most suitable for this work?

-does a "damaged" capsule have a different frequency response? Is there any chance that the mic now has a lighter bass response?

-i did the breath test and the mic stopped workind for a few minutes. After that, I redid it and...a loud noise come out of the mic (it was like distorted white noise)...I guess that it is not a very good sign,right? 

What do you suggest me to do? Which are my options and which is the best?

Thanks!

[klaus]

I am glad you asked these questions before you ruined the performance and resale value of your mic.

No, re-skinning (i.e. having someone replace your mic's original Neumann diaphragms) is never a good idea. And I really mean: NEVER.
There simply is no one out there who knows how to successfully re-diaphragm an original Neumann capsule to remotely original performance.

And, just in case you wondered whether maybe "restoring to original performance" is not really the goal of a re-skinner, but some other kind of metric or taste is aimed for: Neumann's K47/49 capsule is at the very top of a very short list of capsules imitated by just about every copy manufacturer.

Your solution is one of two:

1. Have your capsule restored to factory specs and performance by a competent condenser mic specialist (though you did not specify how, exactly, your capsule is damaged, aside of it failing the breath test, which indicates contamination)

2. Purchase a new K47 from Neumann

P.S.: possible frequency response or other changes in the capsule's response depend on the kind and extent of damage, which you did not specify

P.P.S.: You posted the same inquiry on at least one other forum. Please don't do it again (this forum's 'Ground Rules" are at the top of the page)

[musictech]

thanks for your analytical answer 
can you suggest me a competent condenser mic specialist ?(preferable in Europe..).

what's the cost of a new k47 capsule?is it the same with the old one?can i buy it alternatively from somewhere else?
how can i identify the kind and the extense of damage?

what s the value of a rescinned u47fet and a non rescinned?
thanks!

[klaus]

can you suggest me a competent condenser mic specialist (preferable in Europe)? From your name, I assume you are in Greece? I would likely sen the mic in to Neumann in Berlin, and have them analyze the capsule to see whether it is repairable. If not, youar eat the right address for a replacement.

What's the cost of a new k47 capsule? is it the same with the old one? can i buy it alternatively from somewhere else?

You will pay the current list price. Neumann does not discount parts, and the wholesale price to service providers is not all than much cheaper. If it turns out that your capsule is not repairable (a very small chance, I' venture to guess), you can look on eBay.de or similar European eBay sites for a used one. Just make sure it is healthy and not one of the reskins that are deceptively advertised on eBay as having "Neumann specifications" They don't.

How can i identify the kind and the extent of damage?

You can take a close-up shot- the closest you can possibly go- of the front and back of the capsule and post it here.

What s the value of a reskinned U47fet vs. (one with the original Neumann K47 capsule)?

The mic with the fake capsule usually will be discounted by the same amount it would cost to replace it with a real Neumann capsule- somewhere between $700 and $1000, depending on the mic's condition, vintage, and specific market's price for a new K47 capsule.

[soapfoot]

Klaus,

Is it true that sometimes on a 47 FET the back side of the capsule is completely acceptable, and the capsule can be turned around and the rear side used if the center terminating wire is moved from one side to the other?

[klaus]

It is true. A FET47 capsule is identical in form and performance with a U47/M49 capsule.

There was a time, years back, when Neumann supposedly selected those K47/49 capsules destined for mics with rear polarization voltage (M49, U48, M149) for uniform capacitance, and they made these a bit more expensive. I never found that to be an issue in real life, and always bought the cheapest version of that capsule for any of the afore mentioned applications.

[soapfoot]

Thanks!

In that case, if the membrane on the front side itself hasn't been damaged, I wonder whether the OP might have some success turning the capsule around and using the other side? This work should be carried out by qualified personnel only, of course.

[klaus]

I am hesitant to agree with your suggestion, as front-side contamination of a capsule is often also bridging between rear diaphragm and backplate. Reversing capsule sides makes sense when one side has suffered from high SPL onslaught or minor physical damage, or plain bad sound.

The OP posted in another forum that he will post some pictures here. Once that is done, we all will know more.

[musictech]

iam..back!i had to find an older camera with macro!
so..i send some photos from both sides  (named side a and side b-i don't remember which is the front-rear!)

I recorded also a quick vocal sample .after few seconds i talked closer to the mic and breath on it (i guess this is the way to do the breath test,right?)   .the ouptup of the mic after that dropped many dbs and after 1-2 minutes the volume was even lower  (you ll be able to identify that in my sample).I hope that you ll be able to understand what's going on with the files i sent you 

it is very interesting if  ''the back side of the capsule is completely acceptable, and the capsule can be turned around and the rear side used if the center terminating wire is moved from one side to the other''...

 i Know that capsules with neumann specs are not the same at all.. 
my question was regarding only the rescinning.If my capsule can be repaired,i guess that  this ll be the best deal.

    I ve heard that some mics (some neumanns maybe?) have a kind of protection and they stop producing sound if you speak very close to the mic without pop filter etc..is that true?

[musictech]

the files:

[musictech]

...

[musictech]

is there any way to upload the wav file??   

i also found an older thread that you suggest  a Neumann tech who gone independent-Tom Onofrio.
where is he located is he a better option (and maybe cheaper??) than neumann in Berlin?thANKS!

[klaus]

It has already been badly cleaned, as seen by the streaks on the gold surfaces, but I think you should try to have the capsule professionally restored.

[musictech]

Probably the previouw owner cleaned ..,my  technician  used only a soft brush.

is there any way to upload the wav file??   

i also found an older thread that you suggest  a Neumann tech who gone independent-Tom Onofrio.
where is he located is he a better option (and maybe cheaper??) than neumann in Berlin?thANKS!

[klaus]

Tom lives and works in teh U.S. You are in Greece (?) and I would suggest Neumann, Berlin. If they refuse to clean, or suggest to replace, contact me for additional info.
KH

[musictech]

yes ,i live in Greece.   do you think that tom can understand from the photos and the audio clip what's going on?Do you think that i 'd send him only the capsule without the mic?

can i send you somewhere tha audio file?it is small but not allowed here!thanks