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Author Topic: U87i capsule cleaning  (Read 927 times)

bits_ville

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U87i capsule cleaning
« on: June 20, 2022, 01:31:56 PM »

Hi,
I am not sure if this is the best place to post this question, if not please feel free to redirect me, but I am looking for the most reliable capsule cleaning professional in the Los Angeles area.  I know of these technicians: Klaus (though I am not sure if you do just capsule restoration),David Brown, Toby Foster, James Gangwer, Bock Microphone repair. 
I am aware that many often suggest to just search the forums for these things, however I have the following two problems; most entries are nearly 10 years old, and secondly, there is no organized list with additional details, such as "AKG Specialist", or vice versa. 

I should mention, I did work with David Brown in the past.  I sent him a Langevin CR3A years ago that was completely dead.  He was very kind and communicative, but ultimately, he said the capsule was dead after trying out a new FET, and it was irreplaceable.  I would have liked the microphone back, but he kept it, I assume from the amount of work he had already done and the fact that I had not paid anything up front, but the radio silence and not offering a bill for the work done and just keeping the mic irked me a bit. It is also entirely possible this was nothing and I missed something, I was exceptionally distracted at the time.  So if he is the guy, just let me know. 

Thanks in advance
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Robert Miller

klaus

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Re: U87i capsule cleaning
« Reply #1 on: June 20, 2022, 02:14:39 PM »

Hello Robert,

1. I live and work in Oregon i.e. I am not one of the "professionals in the Los Angeles area". But I am out of the running anyway, being booked up far into the future.

2. Location or proximity to a capsule service professional will not be all that relevant as there are relatively few of them and these are distributed all across the country.

3. I recommend that anyone who is looking for capsule repairs should watch for a red flag when checking out a service provider: is "reskinning" (diaphragm replacement) or capsule replacement suggested? As almost all original capsules in need of service can be restored to factory performance by a competent technician, such recommendation points to incompetence, greed or both:
Restoration and preservation of an existing capsule is not very lucrative for a service provider, compared to reskinning or replacement.

In addition, reskinning will not retain the original Neumann timbre, frequency response, longevity and overall character of the mic.
Likewise, recommending to purchase a new capsule for your U87 may also have some issues: especially on an original K87 capsule, you may likely lose the original sound of your mic after replacement.

So, if a service provider tells you that you need a new capsule or diaphragms, I would walk away pr at least get a second opinion.
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Klaus Heyne
German Masterworks®
www.GermanMasterworks.com

bits_ville

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Re: U87i capsule cleaning
« Reply #2 on: June 21, 2022, 05:32:34 PM »

Thank you for the response. I only mentioned you because I know you have cleaned capsules in the past. I certainly will not accept a reskinned capsule. I’ve used them before and to me they do not sound right.

In the past, though not with this current microphone, I’ve ordered replacement capsules from Neumann. They did sound different, and also, that is no longer a possibility.

I’m still not sure how to find a technician. It does not need to be local. I’m happy to ship it off, so long as there is the person can be vetted in some manner for reliability.

The capsule sounds fantastic, but it does drop out if breathed on or ‘popped’ close up. Upon inspection one side does have some debris. I actually suspect it comes from old foam. I am also worried about that causing damage over time since foam by its nature is likely to hold onto moisture and be sticky.

Anyhow, I’m just looking for a technician, specifically one who cleans capsules. I have no interest in reskinning or replacing. I’d do the replacement myself.  My negative experience with a capsule that turned out to be reskinned will keep me from going in that direction.
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Robert Miller

mbrebes

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Re: U87i capsule cleaning
« Reply #3 on: June 21, 2022, 09:30:07 PM »

I am in the Los Angeles area and do microphone repairs.  I have cleaned a number of U87 capsules for Paramount Studios and myself. [email protected]
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bits_ville

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Re: U87i capsule cleaning
« Reply #4 on: June 22, 2022, 01:33:45 PM »

Thank you Michael!  I’ll be in touch.
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Robert Miller

Krackle

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Re: U87i capsule cleaning
« Reply #5 on: June 25, 2022, 11:13:29 AM »

Thank you Michael!  I’ll be in touch.

Bits_ville

Please follow up on this thread after you've had the capsule cleaned. Im sure many here would be interested in who did the work, service and length of time the tech had your mic, and of course, how the capsule turned out and the cost of service..

Thanks.

Pete
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soapfoot

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Re: U87i capsule cleaning
« Reply #6 on: June 25, 2022, 11:45:55 AM »

While we've never had him clean a capsule for us, we've been using Tom Onofrio for all of our Neumann repairs lately and have been quite happy. I do believe he offers a capsule cleaning service as well. He's on the East Coast, but that's another option at least.
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