If you're chasing that
U47 sound buy the Tribute 1 for $4000 - EF14 Telefunken Steel Tube (30's & 40's).
If that's to much money then buy one of the
Producer series.
Mahalia - U67 'ish - EF86 Glass Pentode tube (50's and 60's) - "The Mahalia has a dual backplate capsule that has been designed to give a full range frequency response without being too accentuated in the top end. The Mahalia's sound can be described as silky and refined. "
Phelicity - C12 'ish - 6AK5 tube (mid 60's) - "pristine top end"
Arabella - U47 / M49 'ish - Metal EF12 (30's and 40's). "It does share lineage with a few classics, namely the Neumann U47 and M49 and has been designed to take the best of each to make an extremely versatile microphone."
Sally - half way between an Arabella and a Phelicity - more top and bottom with a little more mid forward - Glass tube - 6AK5 tube (mid 60's). "The SALLY is our take on everything we love about large diaphragm tube condenser microphones. With a lush warm sound and lots of headroom."
James - 6N2PEV Russian Glass Dual Triode tube (mid 70's) - Ben's unique design - mid forward, not overly bright "tone is smooth and lush with mid frequencies forward and has none of the associated sibilance issues present in many modern microphones."
Jade - 5784WB Glass Raytheon Tube (60's) - similarities to the M49 - a great entry level to the sound of BeesNeez. "The Jade is harmonically rich with a beautifully round top end. "
The
Studio series are just 'cheaper' versions of the Jade, James and Arabella with OEM bodies, PCB boards and Glass tubes.
Jade & James have same NOS tubes as the Producer series but the Arabella GT has the 6AK5 Tube.
BTW - The
Lulu Fet is basically a clone of a Neumann KM84 - Ben tried to improve the deisgn but felt he couldn't.
Hope that helps.
