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Author Topic: Evaluating a U47 reconstructed from "Wagner parts"  (Read 5724 times)

jhanly

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Evaluating a U47 reconstructed from "Wagner parts"
« on: December 21, 2011, 07:23:35 PM »

Hi, I'm new to the world of vintage mics so would appreciate any opinions regarding the internals of this U47 (pictured) that's up for sale. The seller is an established dealer in quality vintage gear here in Australia but unfortunately it was difficult to ascertain the exact origins and integrity of some of the main components of this mic.

The seller described the capsule as a "new" Neumann m7. I noted Neumann (as opposed to Gefell) no longer produce the m7 capsule and he clarified by saying its recently been reskinned. I don't know too much about m7's by looking at them (although your recent post was very informative Klaus thanks) so I was hoping that I might get some feedback regarding the likely origin/condition of the capsule (based on the picture if possible).

Also, the seller couldn't confirm the origin of the transformer so he enquired with the tech who put this mic together (not Gunter Wagner but a well known vintage gear tech here in Australia) who said he couldn't remember but "if he made it himself he would have cloned it based on the original U47 transformer". So I'm interested to know if its possible to tell if the transformer is original or cloned (it looks newish to me). If the transformer is a clone, what's the possible impact on the sonics if not built by a mic tech who specialises in vintage Neumanns?

The seller claims this mic's sonics are comparable to his own personal collection of vintage long body U47s.

I'm happy to evaluate this microphone but before I put myself, and the seller, to the trouble of shipping this piece across the country (and possibly back again) I thought I'd gauge any thoughts/opinons from this forum.

Thanks kindly for your time
James
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klaus

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Re: Evaluating a U47 reconstructed from "Wagner parts"
« Reply #1 on: December 21, 2011, 07:57:37 PM »

The capsule and the transformer of this copy of a Neumann U47 look to me to be aftermarket components, and not of Neumann origin. I don't know of anyone who makes an M7 look exactly like Tiersch's 'Reline' (Mylar) version, so I assume that is what it is.

All of the (visible) electronic components and the mic's wiring, the capsule head/switch assembly, the power supply and the head basket are certainly after-market, and probably all other frame and housing parts of this mic are copies as well, judging from the metal's sheen and screw types used.

The connectors could be New Old Stock Tuchel T3037/38-010 as used on Neumann U47, but are more likely recently-made copies, as found with U47 copies made by Central-European workshops, as well as a couple of U.S. copy manufacturers.


Questions that may address the wisdom of such a purchase for you:

*Price?

*What's with the thread title? You mention nothing of any Günther Wagner parts involvement-new or vintage- in your text.

*Tube type?
(Is it just coincidence that the tube-type is not visible anywhere on any of the pictures? Certainly looks like a vintage Telefunken steel tube, but which one? One of the "work-around, cheaper ones? a real VF14? an
'M'-stamped select one?)

*Degree of desire to have a mic that resembles a U47 in sound or build-quality?

*Degree of desire to have a mic with decent resale value?

(Preliminary answer to the last two questions, from personal experience: that level of desire better be low!)


P.S.: The ground rules for this forum discourage valuation or authentication inquiries because they may encourage posters to try to get professional advice with possibly great financial benefit without paying for it.
I let this thread stand, because it may serve a general interest of comparing details of copy mics to authentic vintage mics in general, and how to spot the difference.
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Klaus Heyne
German Masterworks®
www.GermanMasterworks.com

jhanly

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Re: Evaluating a U47 reconstructed from "Wagner parts"
« Reply #2 on: December 22, 2011, 05:04:34 AM »

Hi Klaus, ground rules duly noted – I didn’t read them closely enough, my apologies. According to the seller, all the parts were acquired from Wagner. Without getting into the question of valuation, the asking price is equivalent to what you’d expect to pay in Australia for a mic made by Wagner and consisting of parts from his stock of genuine NOS components. My request to pay to have this mic checked over by Wagner was declined. I appreciate your observations.
 
Thanks again
James
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klaus

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Re: Evaluating a U47 reconstructed from "Wagner parts"
« Reply #3 on: December 22, 2011, 12:43:12 PM »

My request to pay to have this mic checked over by Wagner was declined. I appreciate your observations.

I wonder why?
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Klaus Heyne
German Masterworks®
www.GermanMasterworks.com

radiovinhet

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Re: Evaluating a U47 reconstructed from "Wagner parts"
« Reply #4 on: December 29, 2011, 07:41:06 AM »

How it sounds???
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