Vintage U47 or M49. what are they worth?

I am working with a local pro audio dealer on a studio upgrade which includes a mic or two plus some SSL and API pres.

They just dropped off an old U47 (ser#726) and M49 for me to try out over the weekend . Since we are looking at about 20" plus of snow here over the next 2 days I will have lots of time to try these out (I also have 3 extremely talented singers!).

Both of these mics are from the 50's, and both are absolutely mint. What do some of you gear hounds out there guess is a reasonable price range for mics like these?

Steve

 

Wow, too cool for school! Value for these old classics is an art in it's self. Depending on the cosmic, internal, sound, what mods and.or upgrades have been done can put you all over the map. If you can get a true history that would help. I'd call Fletcher, or some other broker and pick their brains for price and what to look for that makes one better than another. From what I hear from most of these guys, all the good ones were snatched up long ago and all that is left is the beat, sloppy, sad, and dropped ones that all need serious work and keep getting recycled in the marketplace. Give me a shout if you need some help with specific links or contacts.

 

Both of these are unmodified, absolutely mint and 100% original (as far as I can tell). Single owner bought them new (an old VO studio in Boston), now they are in the hands of a very reputable reseller, who can provide service on them as well. I can't really say I trust Fletcher enough to provide an unbiased opinion (no direct experience with him other than what he projects on web boards), and I am just looking for very broad ranges.

I know these are rare because I could not find anything like them after a very long search of on vintage audio dealers last night. Everything has a mod or is refurbed.

I can't wait to track with them later today.


Steve

 

Fletcher is one of the most opinionated people I have ever met. The fact remains that he knows gear and would be a valuable person to talk to. You might look up a guy named Michael Block in Center City Philadelphia who is also very knowledgeable. :

 

There was a M49 at Ebay a while ago and if memory serves me well the price was $8500.-

 

Well, Fletcher is quite the cartoon character, but with 20+ years as one of the ultimate in gear snobs as well as high end pro audio sales background, he is a wealth of great info. Dave Butler of the Boston area seems to know a great deal about most vintage Neumann mic a well.

You could always search out ebay current and past to get some ideas as well as contacts for info.

 

Michael Bloch is a good guy..I did some tracking with him when his studio was in Harrisburg (before the Philly move)..I'd give him a call...

Ray

 

You could perhaps get a call into Klaus Heine as he pretty much knows everything about German mics thats ever been thought of.

Seems to me that the range on these is at a low of $6000 to $theskysthelimit.As for their value to you, I would first see if they had the mystical sound that tickles you at first listen.Its an undescribable sound but you know it the minute you hear it.

And one thing to remember is this.At the price of ONE of these mics you can get a U99 and an iFET Soundelux brand new.While these may not have the 'Badge Cachet' of the Neumanns, chances are their sound is as good if not better and they will have no issues.

 

at Sorcerer, we sold out 47's for about 5G's each. Norah Jones bought our M49 for $7,700

47 is the ultimate mic IMO. I wish I had two, instead of none.