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R/E/P => Klaus Heyne's Mic Lab => Topic started by: bmab on February 27, 2023, 05:40:31 AM

Title: K49 serial 000374 - when was it made?
Post by: bmab on February 27, 2023, 05:40:31 AM
Been offered a new K49-capsule that is unused, still in original sealed box, with serial number 000374. Seems like a low serial number? How old can it be?

/J
Title: Re: K49 serial 000374 - when was it made?
Post by: klaus on February 27, 2023, 01:36:56 PM
To the best of my knowledge, Neumann does not keep date records of its capsules, and the numbering system is not sequential. But you can usually date a Neumann capsule by its build characteristics.

Please post a close-up photo of both sides of your capsule, and we will go from there.
Title: Re: K49 serial 000374 - when was it made?
Post by: bmab on February 27, 2023, 03:44:17 PM
Great!

Seller did not want to risk taking the capsule out of the box so only got photo of one side so far...
Title: Re: K49 serial 000374 - when was it made?
Post by: soapfoot on February 27, 2023, 03:50:16 PM
One clue that it's not especially early is just to the left of the serial number:

"Made in Germany" (not "Made in Western Germany")
Title: Re: K49 serial 000374 - when was it made?
Post by: bmab on February 27, 2023, 03:55:42 PM
True!  :)
Title: Re: K49 serial 000374 - when was it made?
Post by: RuudNL on February 27, 2023, 04:07:27 PM
Is it normal to see red paint on the screws?
There are no legible markings on the tensioning rings.
Title: Re: K49 serial 000374 - when was it made?
Post by: klaus on February 27, 2023, 04:17:17 PM
If you read my primer on how to date Neumann capsules (https://repforums.prosoundweb.com/index.php/topic,36283.0.html) you would know that this K47/49* is of recent production.

The serial number on the box is related to the batch of capsules (they don't make or sell many of these as spare parts, hence the low number).

The red paint is stock-original for that era K49.

*Because of the wiped out numbers and letters on the diaphragm ring (likely from a cleaning attempt), there is no proof that the capsule has the same serial number as the box.
Title: Re: K49 serial 000374 - when was it made?
Post by: bmab on February 27, 2023, 04:41:03 PM
Thanks!

Johan