Matching Pair Vintage 1971 Neumann U87 Value?

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audio_guy

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What is a reasonable price for a nice clean pair of original Neumann U87 Mics, with sequential serial numbers from appx. 1971. They have the battery compartment and window to monitor the battery level meter. We're waiting to confirm the date (Neumann is researching) but these are one owner, privately owned Mics with Neumann swivel mounts in a nice foam padded case.

The first generation Mics seem to command a better price and so do sequential numbers (on the later U87Ai's I find), but I really don't see any matching pairs of the original U87's selling anywhere to compare price-wise. Any thoughts?

I have checked the classifieds here and don't see such a pair of mics. Likewise on ebay. No local listings either. The only vintage pair of first generation sequential U87's I have seen anywhere looked like they were run over by a truck. (Actually, they appeared to have been used as tom-tom mics for a good while.)

This pair has rarely been used and then only for classical instruments and vocals; a rare find. They might be more properly called U87i's as they are indeed XLR units, but the collars just read "U87". They are definitely not the newer, different sounding U87Ai model which came out MANY years later.

Thanks for any thoughts on the value of these or leads to where similar pairs of mics are posted!
 
chrisghost said:
Someone won the lottery... :rolleyes:
Click to expand...

If someone did, sadly it wasn't me. They're my Mics, purchased brand new about 40 years ago. I rarely use them anymore. I can't remember exactly when we got them so I sent an inquiry to Neumann to confirm their manuf. date. I know it was early 70's and '71 seems most probable. Could be off a year or two.

If the going rate is high enough I may list them for sale or auction them. If they won't bring enough, I'll probably hold off. I'm not in a position to HAVE to sell them. Just trying to explore some options and thin out some gear, and free up some cash as well. They're great Mics though, so I'm certainly not going to give them away...
 
Maybe you could try a post in the high-end section of Gearslutz. You'll have more luck getting a usefull answer.

Good luck.

PS. If you'll take $200 for the pair give me a PS ;)
 
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