Bad neumann tlm 103 mic?

[tylerherrin]

Hello, I bought the tlm 103 about 1 1/2 years ago and have never been able to achieve a clean sound. Most of the time it records vocals extreamly bassy and the mids are harsh. I can mix down the bass but as far as the mids its usually impossible to get a clean mix with. Anyways tonight I decided to take my tlm apart to see if something was visiablly wrong.. I noticed right away that the gold plate on the capsule was dindgy and spotted. Maybe I got a bad mic? Any information would be great!
Thank guys

Ty

Here is a picture of the plate.

 

[RRuskin]

Send it to Neumann and let them clean the capsule and check out the electronics. Don't try to do it yourself unless you are willing to kiss the whole thing goodbye should you mess up.