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R/E/P => Klaus Heyne's Mic Lab => Topic started by: lukinelly on January 02, 2022, 10:19:09 AM

Title: Neumann u87 vintage
Post by: lukinelly on January 02, 2022, 10:19:09 AM
Hi Klaus, can you please tell me, what year is my microphone and capsule, and is it all original?
Thank you very much
Title: Re: Neumann u87 vintage
Post by: klaus on January 02, 2022, 01:09:29 PM
Delivery: spring - summer 1979 with replacement capsule made 1982.
All stock-original.
Title: Re: Neumann u87 vintage
Post by: lukinelly on January 02, 2022, 01:20:37 PM
4. First generation of plastic diaphragm rings (ivory color), whose mounting screws were recessed into the plastic, to be flush with the ring's surface, ca. 1966 to 1980

5. Same as above, but with white instead of ivory-colored rings, since ca. 1980

6. Same as above, but diaphragm mounting ring screws no longer recessed, since ca. mid 1980s


If I understood correctly from this ...
My capsule has ivory diaphragm ring and mounting screws were recessed into the plastic. It says number 2 ... after that it was 1972
maybe I'm wrong because I ask you ...


As far as I can see in the picture, the screws are highlighted above the plastic and the ring is white, shouldn't my capsule look like that if it was 1992 ...

Title: Re: Neumann u87 vintage
Post by: klaus on January 02, 2022, 01:54:04 PM
Not sure how a capsule from 2011 (your photo) relates to your case?

Due to a typo (since corrected) I misstated the year of your replacement capsule. It is 1982, and the "ivory" period was a darker color than your capsule surrounds which are considered "white".

Your capsule fits category #5 in my description of K87 capsule generations
Title: Re: Neumann u87 vintage
Post by: lukinelly on January 02, 2022, 02:00:16 PM
Of course, now everything matches ...
I found a 1982 capsule on Reverb that looks identical to mine, even the serial number is very close.
Thanks again for the help!
Title: Re: Neumann u87 vintage
Post by: lukinelly on January 03, 2022, 05:26:39 AM
Klaus, this is from a friend of u87, can you confirm the year and condition.

Thank you very much
Title: Re: Neumann u87 vintage
Post by: klaus on January 03, 2022, 01:03:42 PM
1. Tell your friend that he owns a mic with one of the most desirable K87/67 capsules ever made: the fiberboard version. It's also in excellent shape, and will sound fantastic.

2. The mic looks 100% stock and was likely made/delivered in January or February of 1970.

3. This will be my last authentication here. I currently have no spare free time.

Helping someone diagnosing cancer to quickly getting life-saving treatment is an altruistic service to humanity which, if
I were a doctor, trumps money and profiteering. Dating and authenticating luxury goods is not. A value-adding service like this needs to be reimbursed, otherwise the owner of the luxury good receives an economicl advantage without paying. Makes sense?

Anyone interested in authentication of vintage mics can always contact me privately (not on this forum, please).
Thanks, KH