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[RuudNL]

A friend of mine is planning to buy a used U67.
He has sent me some pictures, and as far as I can see the microphone itself looks original.
But what surprises me, is the picture of the capsule head and the capsule itself.
In my opinion, the capsule almost looks too 'new' as a part of this vintage microphone!
Also I notice that the strip indicating the directional pattern has a purple/blue background.
If I remember correctly, the U67's I have seen had a black background behind the symbols. (Or am I mistaken?)
I get the impression that this could be a U87 capsule head on a U67 body.
Your opinion would be highly appreciated!

[klaus]

Indeed, you show a U87Ai capsule, capsule mount and switch assembly from 2007.

These are identical in form and functionality to the U67 heads, just newer (the bottom sticker would indicate whether the head was sold as a U67 spare part or originally designated for a U87Ai head assembly).

P.S.: U67 pattern switch symbols always had a purple background color, but maybe you confused that with the Neumann diamond: it was and still is black for all tube mics, purple for FET mics, and red for transformerless mics (exceptions exist only for transition periods between purple and red).

[RuudNL]

Many thanks! That confirms my thoughts.
In that case I think I have a unique U67; it has a black background under the directional pattern symbols!

[klaus]

Not unique.
The black pattern plate is used in TLM67 heads, to identify the model.
Otherwise the head is identical with the U67 and U87Ai heads, aside of one of three head assembly screws which is different on U87Ai head assemblies, to avoid mis-plugging the wrong head on a non-conforming mic amp.

[soapfoot]

maybe you confused that with the Neumann diamond: it was and still is black for all tube mics, purple for FET mics, and red for transformerless mics (exceptions exist only for transition periods between purple and red).

I have a question about this--was there a designated logo/diamond color for T-powered mics like the U77? Or were they also black (or purple?)

We have a U77, but its body tube says "U67," so our hunch is that it was replaced some time in the past with a spare part

[klaus]

In the transition to the FET80 series (U87, KM8x..etc) badges were still black. I've seen a few early KM84 Telefunken mics with black badges.