U87 - price for a used, original mic?

[vanderlae]

I've spotted this original 87 on the bay just now, do you agree it's a little on the expensive side? The seller doesn't give much away as to its condition if you read the questions.

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=300461016914&ssPageName=STRK:MEBOFFX:IT

Cheers,
Dave

[Ben M]

Hi Dave

It looks as if it's going to need a once over which would cost around $350-$550. From Ben, Rob or Gunter.

Tell him he's dreamin

There are better U87's out there for less.

Good luck

[Chris H]

Poor fella can't spell right.... In his heading:

"NEUMANN U87 VINTAGE MICROPHONE WITH ORIGENAL CASE L@@K!"


....and answering a question:

"recently i checked it out, and it sounds finaminal,sorry no paerwork"

[vanderlae]

Yes, shady lack of detail and question avoiding didn't fill me with confidence.

Add to the price the cost of a once-over as you say and it's a rather expensive piece. If anyone knows of one for sale or can point me in the right direction that would be most excellent of you. Having just bought a KM84 from VK and all truth be known, taken for a ride on price (even if I did get one 'cheery picked from a bunch'), my budget would really benefit from an honest sale. Probably hard to find a gooden at a decent price, I know.

Cheerios

Dave

[rick]

hmm that is a 30 year old ( at least) microphone
for that money i would want to know it didnt need $850 spent on a new capsule - looking at it it looks ok at first glance

that said if you paid $2200 for a shabbier one and put a new capsule ( or reskin the old one ) thats the price you would end up paying

so if its all good its all good i reckon its about the right money , that is if not you need to find another $850 max
so if its is worth $3850 to you buy it and maybe you have saved yourself $850

the new 87 ( 1980s onwards ) are cheaper but sound different , i reckon the newer ones they sound like a different and BETTER microphone
the internet disagrees so the old ones are getting expensive
but all the same - they are not the same so dont confuse prices

[vanderlae]

Cheers Rick. The seller counter-offered my offer but not significantly; couple of hundred off. A price you might be able live with if, as you say, you could be confident to not have to dig in the pocket further to get it up to scratch. Given this guy has no details about services, it could be that no matter what it would need at least a check-over.

There's another up, but it's an circa '80 and by your observation these could even sound better? http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=110608436632

hmmm

[rick]

what am i the check it before you buy guy ..?

this is the last variant of the old design u87 and if you want the old design most people do
this is a cleaner better (quieter ) version of the same mic i just looked at
WITH the same dunno about the capsule issue
so add $850 to your final to your "when i have finished paying for this mic it will be like new list "
you might get lucky but they are all fixable like new anyway

i would buy this mic over the last one all things being equal


the new version ( mid 80s on ) doesnt have the battery pack (see little window in the middle of it ) and is a brighter, louder yet quieter more airer ( some say harsher) microphone then the old u87

you just about cannot use the newer type on overheads if you understand but they sound like you have already eq'd in "airy " super tops on a vocal
which is why neuman changed them i reckon - so you didnt have to eq your vocals to fit into the more modern "brighter mixes " from the mid 80s onwards

[Ben M]

I reckon Rick's last sentence is spot on.
My 87's are mid 70's and I think their bright enough. When you go forward into the future they get louder and brighter. If that's what you want... then... that's what you want.

I'd ask some of these "only 48 states" ebay freaks and see if they'll extend their postage to you. You might pick up a bewdy for 2400.

If there going for 3000 these days... I might have a couple for sale...

[vanderlae]

what am i the check it before you buy guy ..?

So, if you could just contact this guy and ask him if........Only joking! You're that guy, you know. You know! That's the thing.

I dunno why, but I'm reminded of Dudley Moore in the movie Arthur (my favourite, the original..sorry, vintage) and to quote "Aren't waiters wonderful? You ask them for things, and they bring them." I can't believe they're remaking that. Pffft

Anyway, thanks for the tips. (now, does anyone have one?!)

Cheerios

[mics]

hi guys.

notes; the fet has been changed out and most likely not re-biased, 3 caps have been replaced and the capsule has been cleaned. If the capsule wan't cleaned by someone in the know then there could be a few issues.

cheers

[rick]

My assumption was it was upgraded to the last revision
of the old 87
it's very common to see from the states as they
seem unable to source the old fets

[mics]

Nah, the old fets are available, they are just 10 minutes extra work in the install. The caps being changed is no big deal though unecessary.

cheers

[rick]

You talking about the first mic or the 2 nd?
I would like to see anybodies large collection of Neumann marked fets for the first mic

[vanderlae]

Well either way, the turkey selling the first mic has revoked his counter-offer and is now trying for top dollar. $3k - well good luck, he's turned back 9 offers so far (that I can see) and you'll notice there it sits. Unlike GS, where guys are selling for around $2,000 - $2,250 US, though I'm finding you have to get in quick. Lost a sale overnight because....I had to finally go to sleep after I thought we had an e-shake (deal) and during that time someone swept it up. Of course.

And the second link? Couldn't even bid on it. US sale only and I was prevented from even contacting the seller! eBad. I just want a U87, not world peace.

[lonearranger]

And the second link? Couldn't even bid on it. US sale only and I was prevented from even contacting the seller! eBad. I just want a U87, not world peace.

FYI - http://www.priceusa.com.au/

This is a service owned by a woman from melbourne, she has a guy in the states that does all sorts of purchasing and forwarding. They will bid on ebay for you, or buy goods that people that wont ship OS on your behalf. All for a cut of the price/service fee - you can even pay a loading on the shipping and they will cover warranty claims/shipping for you. Seems they also pass on some of their shipping discounts. Anyway a mate of mine used them to get some headphones and was happy with the experirence, there is also a big thread on whirlpool about these guys. May be helpful, esp for those "US Bidder only" auctions that you really want to buy. They are pretty general and probably do most of their stuff in computer and consumer electronics.

[Gian]

And the second link? Couldn't even bid on it. US sale only and I was prevented from even contacting the seller! eBad. I just want a U87, not world peace.

FYI - http://www.priceusa.com.au/

This is a service owned by a woman from melbourne, she has a guy in the states that does all sorts of purchasing and forwarding. They will bid on ebay for you, or buy goods that people that wont ship OS on your behalf. All for a cut of the price/service fee - you can even pay a loading on the shipping and they will cover warranty claims/shipping for you. Seems they also pass on some of their shipping discounts. Anyway a mate of mine used them to get some headphones and was happy with the experirence, there is also a big thread on whirlpool about these guys. May be helpful, esp for those "US Bidder only" auctions that you really want to buy. They are pretty general and probably do most of their stuff in computer and consumer electronics.

And...
carriemyshopping.com

carrie michel sends parcels to australia from the US, she is australian living in the US and bids for you if you like.
A good friend of mine dealt with her and had a really good result.

[tecoma1970]

Hello Dave.

I found out about www.myus.com from this forum. They're a mail forwarding service, really reasonably priced and take care of the 'US only bidders' dilemma. It's really quick and easy to setup, you get to take advantage of their bulk postal rates and they give you your unique address in Florida you can give to whatever American ebayer you buy stuff off. I've used them twice so far and it's been a pain-free experience.

Incidentally, I've just been through the same vintage U87 hunting process. I ended up buying one off a guy with a studio in Switzerland from German ebay - ebay.de . By the time it comes out here it'll have cost me $2,200AUD which I'm happy with (assuming it arrives- only transferred funds yesterday)
The ebayer you're looking at is asking for the top end of what you'd expect to pay and considering what the capsule looks like and the fact you're not able to listen to audio samples of this mic (not an unreasonable expectation, considering the price) it's a gamble.

Anyway - along the way I learnt allot about the different types of (vintage) U87 and the even variations that occur with the newer Ai models (post 1985).
This sum-up of vintage U87 vs the more recent U87Ai from Klaus Heyne's mic lab was particularly enlightening:

http://recforums.prosoundweb.com/index. ... 0/0/17924/

There's heaps of great info on the U87 to be found in the 'mic lab' forum. On my voice and other female vocals I've recorded the Ai is no slouch and they come up regularly, but cos I want to be able to use the mic on many sources, I went for a vintage. I found by posting a WTB notice on gearslutz I got a couple of PMs 1 from a guy who'd be happy to part with his Ai for 2050 and another who had a vintage U87 for $2000. He sent lots of great pictures but I didn't go with that mic cos the head basket looked kind of abused and he coudln't give me audio samples, for what sounded like legit reasons. He has a cool little studio in Poland. If you PM me I'd be happy to pass on their contact info as they're both keen to make a sale. If you can wait a couple of weeks, something that ticks all the boxes should come along - also worth looking out for the U77. They don't come up much but are little known of (not heaps made) and as such, less pricey mic w/ a cross b/n the 67 & 87 sound.

hope that helps.
cheers,
Amira
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Amira Pyliotis