It's unlikely that the TLM403 will ever receive the same type of love as many other Neumann's
And It's not a mic I'd drive a long way out of my way to add to the locker
but it is a legitimate workhorse mic that barring unforseeable complications should last the proverbial lifetime
it can be used effectively on pretty much anything and it perhaps performs better (then most other mics in its class) by addition of specific mid to high end mic pre's (that is while it might seem not quite right on specific male vocals through an API 3124 switching it to an Avalon 737 might make it seem the perfect mic, in that specific situation)
In my experience I would not feel that I had 'cheated' a client if it was the only mic I had to use, pretty much on anything: percussion, guitar (acoustic), vocals . . . in a pinch I'd even try it on three piece horn section, etc. When faced with a similar choice at perhaps a similar moment (in career) I opted for AKG C414 (followed up shortly with a KSM32 and CAD equitek e300 (which I liked well enough to pick an e200 at bargin basement price and found that buying 'by brand' doesn't always return results one would want)) and it's not decision I've regretted (going path of C414 & C451 rather then U47 & K84's)
my main issue with TLM103 was I always found it a bit pricey in comparison with what I thought it delivered . . . but it definately falls into the class of mics were individual mics are going to have individual character and as I said it's a workhorse even if you find mics you like better for specific things it won't (or probably shouldn't) disappear into the black hole at the back of the cabinet
