Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[wdevlieger]

Hi.
I just bought 2 vintage Neumann mics. U87 (1974) and U47 Fet (1984).
But I'm wondering if they still have the original capsules or were they replaced at some moment?
If replaced, from that periode would it be?
Are these reskinned?

The first pic is from the U87 and second pic is form the U47fet.

Thanks for any help or info.

[klaus]

If the manufacturing dates you report are correct, both capsules are genuine Neumann, but replacements of the original.

If you look at the backside of the capsules, you will find the first digit of the year these capsules were made. Sometimes that digit appears on the front.

For example, the numeral "1" on the K47fet would indicate a year of manufacturing ending in 1, in this case, either 2001 or 2011 (it takes a bit more expertise to pinpoint the decade, and thereby, the exact year).

[wdevlieger]

Thank you Klaus!
I can check the back tomorrow for the year digit. Do you have any idea already about the decade? How can I check that?
And do you think these are reskinned or still original skin?

[klaus]

As I mentioned, both capsules are "genuine Neumann" and were not modified with aftermarket diaphragms. As Neumann does not offer re-diaphragming service for its capsules, both capsules are therefore factory stock spare parts.

I also mentioned the possible years the fet47 capsule was made. The K87 capsule would reveal its year digit on the back, then we go from there. But it is safe to assume that the K87 was made after 1986, because it already features the new front backplate lead out scheme.