Klaus Heyne wrote on Tue, 02 November 2010 20:29 |
The VF14 was specifically designed for the Neumann U47 microphone. |
Klaus Heyne wrote on Fri, 05 November 2010 13:39 |
Another myth is that the VF14 tube was a war or pre- war tube. Not so. The first VF14 was manufactured two years after World War II ended. |
Klaus Heyne wrote on Tue, 02 November 2010 12:29 |
The VF14 was specifically designed for the Neumann U47 microphone. Though some of the rejects that were found not suitable to work in mics were resold on the amateur/hobby radio market. Therefore, VF14 are almost never found on garage sales or flea markets. |
boogietube wrote on Mon, 01 November 2010 21:18 |
With all of out modern technology, why can't the famous VF14M be manufactured? Sean |
Klaus Heyne wrote on Thu, 11 November 2010 11:37 |
He is right about the VF14's microphonics-but on a static base only: it does not affect the tube's intended use in microphones much. Through the mounting system of the tube inside the mic, and because the tube's filaments respond to external agitation with a fairly broad spectrum resonance rather than the usual pure sine waves/identifiable notes, the microphonics you get when you tap a VF14 or the mic's housing tube usually don't show up as audible disturbances. The exception to the above being some of the non-M-selected VF14, and VF14 M approaching the end of their life cycle. |
Klaus Heyne wrote on Tue, 23 November 2010 08:16 |
(...) Besides, Telefunken is long gone, all machining melted down, and no other company made octagonal-socket steel tubes. |
rphilbeck wrote on Tue, 23 November 2010 01:20 |
I suggested it was a Neumann call. I can't imagine a parent company dictating to a subsidiary on "how" they should go about being profitable. Why have an executive staff at your subsidiaries if you're going to make the calls from the mother ship? Stranger things have happened I suppose. |
rphilbeck wrote on Mon, 22 November 2010 23:20 |
(...) I have no idea how many U47's were ever made, but if there are 1000 in existence and you got half of those owners to put down $1000 each, you've got your half a mil. The power of the internet and these types of forums are probably the perfect outlet to communicate and gather data for such a project. The money we are talking is pocket change for anyone who owns a U47. |
J.J. Blair wrote on Wed, 24 November 2010 13:32 |
If you can find a real one for around that price (I bought my last two for that ballpark), then why bother? |
Quote: |
Oliver Archut Only 27,500 VF14 tubes were ever made by the original Telefunken company in Germany, and they stopped production in 1958. Only about 1/3 of the VF14’s passed Neumann’s rigorous standards for being considered “microphone grade.” So, with about 9000 tubes and approximately 5500 U47/U48 mics made, there are virtually no spare tubes left. |
Oliver Archut wrote on Mon, 22 November 2010 19:44 |
Just to build the right machinery to vacuum seal the steel envelope (the two metal pieces need 180,000 Ampere at 35V to be joined together), plus the specialty machinery to make the footplate would be about $500,000. |
dbock wrote on Fri, 26 November 2010 12:18 |
I love it when people who would never provide the cash speculate about the profitability of a venture they think someone else should start. |
Quote: |
I am simply exploring, learning, and discussing sir. |
KB_S1 wrote on Fri, 26 November 2010 12:35 |
Also the startup costs only have been discussed here. How much per unit? What would be genuine amortisation levels required? |
David Satz wrote on Wed, 08 December 2010 05:51 |
Just wondering, since your evidence seems quite strong--if initially, the only prospective market for the VF 14 was that a selection of them would be used in Neumann's U47, isn't that a rather small quantity of sales to justify Telefunken's developing and producing this new line? |
Quote: |
It almost seems as if the original economic basis for the VF 14's production was as mismatched with reality as the idea of reproducing it today. |
rphilbeck wrote on Wed, 08 December 2010 13:18 |
Maybe we could "vote" it into production. |
MI wrote on Wed, 08 December 2010 15:31 | ||
I would be curious to see how many "producers" would remain if the voters demanded a cheque for 2,000$ immediately...I think very few would remain in the room. MI |
Arf! Mastering wrote on Wed, 08 December 2010 20:38 |
(...) I've heard an aftermarket U47 clone built with an original Neumann K47 capsule and an AC701 tube go up against one of the best all original U47/K47 mics in NYC and you could barely tell the difference. |