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TalismanRich
Well-known member
I've never seen a picture of a Neumann capsule that color. All the photos I have ever seen of Neumann capsules are cream or ivory. I also don't see any of the typical replacment builders using yellow rings (Arienne, Peluso, Tim Campbell, Mic Parts, etc.)
Papanate
Well-known member
Just like @TalismanRich I’ve never seen a yellow ring capsule - my replacement capsule in the picture below
is the only color I’ve seen - where did you get the microphone?
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Buddy Dave
New member
Thanks for replies. Mine has no half-ring spacer or whatever that is on the top. I'm going to pull off the mic cover and see what the capsule it looks like in daylight. There could have been a lighting issue. This mic is a Blue rebuild, apparently late 2002. Nothing much original in there at this point, I don't suppose. Maybe the tube. I was hoping the capsule was correct. I'll post of photo with daylight lighting.
Papanate
Well-known member
From Dave Bock:
The differences between the blue47 and an original are:
Different capsule (does not sound the same in the bass)
Different tube type - in you case it has the orignal AC701 tube
Different amplification system (active plate load not simple resistor, sounds different-lowers noise but changes distortion charachteristics)
Different tube bias system (changes dynamic response)
Completely different transformer (different laminations and it's not a four section winding like the original, of course, will sound different)
nice film caps on the output (unlike the original, these aren't as non-linear as the originals but the output caps on most of those fifty year old U47's should be changed to film by now anyway)
Different tube mounting system (affects handling noise & non-linear distortions) - again if yours has the original tube it is the original mounting system.
Completely different power sypply (will sound different than original circuit, but theirs is ok so it's a matter of taste regarding your personal preference)
Something else: In 1960 Neumann also changed the capsule in the M49 to the PE/goldplated diaphragm - you may have mostly original mic!
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Buddy Dave
New member
Thanks again. The Neumann serial number dates to 1960 (provided by their people in Berlin via Sennheiser). Maybe the capsule is original. As to the color, it's a yellowish-cream, not white or beige.
I've included a few more photos. There are some modern WIMA caps and that dual transistor that has been mentioned elsewhere. You can make out "MANY" on the tube. Most of the writing is on the underside of the tube and difficult or impossible to see unless removed. Looks like a new transformer probably.
I got this at an estate sale. Unless I use this for evaluating and tuning my listening rooms after I research the best mics and setup for that, I will sell this with the power supply and case, etc. Knowing this is a Blue rebuild in excellent condition, I wonder what it's worth? Anybody know a reasonable price range? I don't want to give it away, but I don't want to wait a year to sell it, either. They apparently sold new for around $6,000 in 2002. I've seen them sell for about $8,000 on eBay and Reverb, but I think maybe those buyers got overzealous over the Neumann name and did not fully understand Blue rebuilds, because there is not a lot of Neumann left, maybe the tube and capsule, which is not insignificant, though.
I've included a few more photos. There are some modern WIMA caps and that dual transistor that has been mentioned elsewhere. You can make out "MANY" on the tube. Most of the writing is on the underside of the tube and difficult or impossible to see unless removed. Looks like a new transformer probably.
I got this at an estate sale. Unless I use this for evaluating and tuning my listening rooms after I research the best mics and setup for that, I will sell this with the power supply and case, etc. Knowing this is a Blue rebuild in excellent condition, I wonder what it's worth? Anybody know a reasonable price range? I don't want to give it away, but I don't want to wait a year to sell it, either. They apparently sold new for around $6,000 in 2002. I've seen them sell for about $8,000 on eBay and Reverb, but I think maybe those buyers got overzealous over the Neumann name and did not fully understand Blue rebuilds, because there is not a lot of Neumann left, maybe the tube and capsule, which is not insignificant, though.
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Papanate
Well-known member
The Blue Modified M49s go for around $3K $8K- the Blue rebuilt ones go for around $8.5K. I think you have the modified version - here is a picture of a Blue Modified M49:
I don’t know what the difference is or why the price swing - I would go with the higher price and see what kind of action you get.
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Buddy Dave
New member
Forgive my delay in replying. I do appreciate all the info. I would tend to agree that this one seems modified as opposed to rebuilt. To confirm, it would go from between $3k and $8k? I assume that's with the power supply and case, etc. If so, yes, that's quite a spread.
Papanate
Well-known member
Yes everything included - I have no idea why the spread is so much - it may have to do with how well they work - Blue microphones pervious owner Skipper Wise has
a sketchy reputation - it may be the ones he modded or rebuilt are subject to personality tax! I ahve no idea.