U47 anyone?

[simonw]

hey guys, this is my first post, so i guess i should start by quickly introducing myself. my name is simon, i'm a sydney based producer/engineer with what i consider to be a fairly nice home studio setup - good sounding room (double sized "combined lounge/dining" room), running pro tools 9, ATC SCM50 ASL monitors, some decent mics (vintage U87, 2 x DPA 4006, AKG D12, a bunch of SM57s and MD421s), a revolution REDD.47 tube mic pre (and a lowly be!@#$%^& ADA8000 for when i need more inputs), and i mix in the box. i do various genres of music, esp rock, folk/blues or dance/pop artists.

although i've been planning to get some more good pres, maybe a pair of ribbon mics and further improve the acoustics in my room, it appears my name is now 3rd from the top of gunter's list for a wagner u47. at the time i put my name on the list, i had no idea how far down my studio journey i'd be, but it seems like with the parts shortage he can't make all that many more of these things, so it's now or never.

i just wanted to ask you knowledgable folk if anyone knows where i would be able to compare it against a great sounding original u47 in sydney? i've used the u47w and loved it but have not had the pleasure of using a real one, so before dropping that much coin i'd like to do my research, so to speak. with the dollar the way it is a real u47 can be bought for a similar price - though that path is obviously riskier. getting another lend of the u47w shouldn't be a problem since it's been years since i last heard it, but none of the studios i know of have the real thing. perhaps there's someone nearby who owns an original u47 or u48 that would be equally interested to hear the comparison? if not i don't mind paying for studio time, but where?

thanks!

simon

[jkhuri44]

hi mate,

you can rent one off Glen Phimister @ Haven Productions...

not sure where his mobile # has gone off my phone...maybe someone here has it?

[JamesM]

How much is a wagner these days? I thought they were a lot cheaper than a good cond vintage 47?

James.

[simonw]

thanks for the replies! the wagner is now around $9200, i've seen originals on ebay for $8500 to $13,000, so it's in the ballpark, although i'd expect to pay extra on top of that to have it serviced by gunter. buying an original would entail weeks worth of research, since i'm no expert, but i just want to make sure i've at least given that path proper consideration.

i wasn't aware rick has a u47, i thought he was a mastering engineer! actually i met him once years ago while i was interning for jonathan burnside, a producer/engineer some of you may know. rick bought something from him which i delivered to him and his small dog... perhaps a lexicon 480L? i'm sure he doesn't remember. i'm also sure he's already heard gunter's mic, but he may not have heard the revolution REDD.47 pre amp i have, so that might be worth his while? U47-->REDD.47 would be a very beatles signal path - all that's missing is a fairchild! if rick's too busy though i'd be happy to contact glen phimister someone can dig up the number. in the mean time i guess i'll pm rick.

cheers!

simon

[jkhuri44]

Pm'd..i did end up having his number.

[musikwerks]

Forget about comparing it to a "real" U47. No two sound alike anyway. Gunter's mics are the best you will find and don't come with all the issues a "vintage" item comes with. Plus he's only a phone call away if something goes wrong.

[rick]

the new version of me doesnt hire his microphones to anybody anymore an only does shootouts at turtlerock
on bbq days

there are no finished rooms for shootouts and no bbq till it warms up

if you can get one of gunters mics and you miss your chance you will kick yourself
if you can get a good neumann u47 with a good tube for the same price as gunters
buy the neumann

a shootout will tell you nothing unless both mics you try are for sale

[simonw]

some differing opinions... exactly why i want to compare for myself, though i take the point that every u47 is different. i still think it's worth using one for myself before making a decision. i spoke to glen, his mic has been rebuilt by gunter and is without the vf14, so not the one for me to compare to. he recommended i try phil punch, so i'll give him a ring.

thanks!

simon

[rick]

phils 47 is a great one if he will hire it to you thats the ticket

[berkfinger]

There is an old Telefunken u47 at Flashpoint Studios in Surry Hills but I've not heard it...