NEUMANN U47 CLASSIC VINTAGE MICROPHONE ORIGINAL POWER AKG Telefunken Soundelux Sennheiser Rode Manley Lawson Start Price USD 4,995.00 Current Price USD 9,600.00 Time Left - Bid Count 26 Buy It Now Price - Reserve Price - Start Time Wednesday, October 01, 2008 End Time Wednesday, October 08, 2008 Location Santa Monica, CA See more about 'NEUMANN U47 CLASSIC VINTAGE MICROPHONE ORIGINAL POWER' Description This particular VINTAGE NEUMANN U47 is VERY OLD and TRUE VINTAGE, probably from the early fities (so we've been told).  It is a collector's item and is NOT one of those reissue clones with cheap components.  Although it is old, it has been meticulously maintained, having been passed onto the current owner from a famous recording studio (who knows who may have crooned into it?!?). Tube and components are tops and only the BEST was used to tech support this baby. It comes with a beautiful custom Cherry Wood case for the microphone...and best of all, it has the ORIGINAL POWER SUPPLY. THIS MIC IS IN MINT CONDITION for its age and the original power supply is vintage also and has a little wear on the OUTSIDE because it was probably on the ground and moved around a little, but everything works perfectly and probably better than it did originally with all the minor upgrades to the tube and the mic itself.  This mic is truly one of a kind! There's nothing much you need to say about the QUALITY of this microphone--what the Beatles used to record much of their music, along with COUNTLESS OTHER famous recordings. This is for the best of the best and one that you'll treasure forever...or one you'll use to help create your OWN hit recordings.PLEASE DON'T WASTE YOUR TIME IF YOU'RE RUNNING OVERSEAS SCAMS. SERIOUS INQUIRIES ONLY. More info at: http://www.chartburnmusic.com/sale********************After World War II, George Neumann regrouped his company and developed the U47. It was first marketed in June 1948. Distribution was by Telefunken, which promptly put their name on the amplifier housing. The U47 was the first switchable-pattern condenser microphone switching between cardioid and omnidirectional patterns. It incorporated the highly successful 12-micron-thick M7 capsule and VF-14 tube amplifier, which was a metal clad pre-World War II pentode configured to work as a triode. The hand-selected VF-14s had a 55-volt filament that operated at 36 volts for longer tube life and quieter operation. In the early 1950s, Mercury Records touted the U47 as its "Living Presence" microphone, putting pictures of it on record jacket covers. In 1956, thanks to the development of smaller capacitors, Neumann was able to reduce the length of the mic by almost three inches. The capsule finish was also changed from chrome to matte, matching the rest of the microphone. The U48, a cardioid/bi-directional version, was marketed in 1956. Two years later, Neumann took over distribution of its own products from Telefunken, restoring the Neumann logo. Gotham Audio became its North American distributor. In 1960, Neumann decided to update the U47 with the U67, which was originally called the U60 but later re-designated to indicate its ties to the U47. The U67 capsule design was switched from PVC to Mylar film, and a tensioning ring with screws (rather than glue) secured the membrane. Longstanding problems of proximity effect and overload during close work were resolved with a clever internal 40Hz cutoff filter and an amplifier pad switch allowing the choice of close-up or distant use. A three-pattern switch was added for extra versatility. An effort to minimize capsule resonance was made with a new tapered capsule windscreen, and the modern EF 86 tube allowed for a more streamlined, tapered body design. This particular shape remains not only in Neumann's line of microphones, but other lines of competing microphones today. On Oct-04-08 at 08:40:41 PDT, seller added the following information:Hi everybody.  Apologies that it's taken a couple days to post these new pics, but I hope they will give everyone the information they need in order to make a more informed decision about bidding on this particular microphone.  The serial number is 2813.  I was told by a resident expert that this mic is probably from 1950-51.  The tube is Neumann and has the insignia on the top of it and the main components appear to be original.  Thank you for all your messages and questions.  There have been so many inquiries from people all around the world and I will do my best to answer all of them.   If your question didn't get answered by me or by the new pictures, then please feel free to ask again.  And as always, I respond much better to polite inquiries.  Thanks again and good luck.On Oct-06-08 at 17:45:49 PDT, seller added the following information:Hi everybody.  We appreciate all the inquiries from around the world.  By the number of "watchers" and messages, it appears that this item has received far more attention than we anticipated.  We tried to get all the information requested in the most timely manner possible and keep up with all the inquiries.  The following is what everyone wanted to hear...Confirmation: Everything is original and the tube is indeed a VF14 (the "V" was obscured upon first inspection).  Once again, THE TUBE IS A VF14!!!The power supply is, once again, original.  And sorry, we are not going to open the power supply and take photos of the inside of the PSU as we have been told that's not necessary.  The power supply and microphone both work BEAUTIFULLY and it has been meticulously maintained throughout its life.  I think this should answer most of the questions.  I don't believe there is a more clean, original and pristine sounding U47 out there, as we just tested it once again today...just to be sure.Lastly, someone asked if we're providing a "warranty" for this vintage piece of audio history and the answer is NO.  We're not a retailer and this is the reason why we're insuring the unit for the FULL AMOUNT.  The only way there'll be a problem is if something happens in transit, which we certainly hope won't happen.  It's working perfectly on our end, so the insurance will protect the buyer from any unforeseen shipping mishaps on the U47's journey to the winning bidder.  We hope this answers all your questions.  This eBay seller takes pride in our 100% rating and will not misrepresent anything to the rest of the eBay family.  We're all straight shooters on this end.Happy bidding and may the best audiophile win!On Oct-07-08 at 11:49:08 PDT, seller added the following information:Just a little more information about the mic that we just found out from an expert:The mic and capacitor was manufactured in February of 1955 and the K47 capsule was installed in the mic around 1959.The tube is the original Telefunken VF14 and came with the mic. 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