[DONNX]

Originally Posted by Plush

Once again, there is a whole lot of misinformation on this thread.

A FLEA 47 is being sold new today for around $3900. This is not $5-8K as some have stated. If they actually talked to FLEA the posters who post $5-8K would know that this super quality mic is available for reasonable cost.
Did they really talk to FLEA? If so, why are they posting that the price is more than double what it really costs?

Yes Plush I have spoken with Masi who deals for Flea on the side I guess, he owns a studio in Finland. He was pimping these mics on GS classifieds several months ago at a great price. May I point out again, I own a Flea Head grill. Today Andreas informed me that he did another test on the Flea Head. He said again, its a good working head acoustically and with sound. And also mentioned in some areas better than the original Neumann head basket. And that Neumann changed some things with the original head basket throughout its history, not every head basket from Neumann were the same. Something new I learned today.

If you go here.

Flea - 47

The list price is 3999 British pounds with Fleas major dealer in Europe..Funky junk. Yes you can get it a bit cheaper. But that is the list price according to the dealers of Flea. They say..call for a lower price song and dance routine. Plush, What country do you live in? Here in the USA thats slightly over $6K in dollars. Not counting shipping and import taxes ($3-500 dollars). And of course not everyone will choose the same options as you have. Sounds like you chose the standard flea route. You can order a Flea with a VF14 (1500 euros more) , or EF14, or EF12. You can get a thiersch M7 capsule or a Flea F7 skinned by Theirsch for a cheaper cost. Other options, Gold plating if you have gold teeth to go with it.


#2, I never said I would spend 5-8K on a Flea 47. I said mic manufacturer. That means in GENERAL. And that is what I would spend on a good U47 clone. Take it easy. And I agree with you 100% on the affordability of Flea mics to the recording community. That is very cool of them. I have ZERO complaints for their pricing. Its more than fair compare to their competitors. Like your all time favorite company T funk USA. I also had a conversation with the owner of Flea today. Milos. A very nice man. And he answered a lot of my question on Flea Mics one and one. It was nice to hear from the man in charge. He was very informative much more than the dealer I dealt with several months ago initially. He told me I could go straight to him if I ever had any more questions. That Flea are in the business to improve and grow in a positive light with their customers and he appreciated my comments on the basket. I like hearing that. I can tell he is a smart man. He doesn't fight with his critics, he learns from them. Also I learned that Andreas assisted them with that BV-08 on the Flea 47. I wonder why it sounds so good! LOL And they are close friends as well. Small microphone fetish world eh????? what did you say? Flies.. ? [/QUOTE]

Originally Posted by Plush

Also for detective posters and flies, you do not get to "qualify" the manufacturer by interrogating them about parts count or type. Neumann would refuse your request as would any manufacturer who wants to not swat flies away while they present a quality product to the customer. Posters such as you are not arbiters of taste or quality.

If you require an original Neumann u47 or AKG C12 or Neumann M49, go out and spend the money to obtain it. Here, I went out and spent the money to obtain Neumann M50 mics. I do not question what parts are used inside, I merely make recordings with these mics. The sound speaks for itself.

FLEA is making super quality mics of their own design. These microphones are offered to the engineering community at reasonable cost without the inflated pseudo pedigree of Ebay priced vintage "fetish objects."

Sadly today, one has to pay a lot of money for a genuine U47.
Go ahead and pay it you fussy posters. I know you won't.

The U47 cost $475 in NYC in the year it was introduced.

Yes I do require and would love an original. But just about every original I have seen for sale has been molested, dented, dumped in the toilet and repaired to look just like Frankenstein, especially here in the USA. I guess we put them to good use and dump them on Ebay. thumbsup Until I find a nice specimen worth being proud of. I am fine with any needed clone to fill that slot in the mic locker.. It takes time to find the right original. Your are talking about a 40-50 year old microphone. That endured smoke, pot, spit, alcohol, dropped, hit by a drum stick, or spun by Jim Morrison, whatever...and its hard to find a good one. At least for me it does take time and patience. And I also consider price and they are rare/limited. Especially a good specimen. The owners can't bare to let something go that is good and only increases in value. Big Badge U47 all original. 9 condition out of a 1-10 scale sells for $12-15k in the used market. Without the original PSU or cable. Just the mic itself thats in top shape. They are still sought after to this day.

And yes people are just different. You obviously stated. You don't look, you don't care what its made of. Long as you think it sounds good. That is fine. And with Neumann. You don't need to ask them. They are the kings of making mics. Everyone knows Neumann is top notch quality. But thats not me, I am not Plush. I research, learn and know exactly what I am buying before I buy it, down to the last nose hair if its important to know. And from doing that. My knowledge on gear has expanded so much, hell, maybe someday I will even have my own customized gear made and put out in the market for sale.. I like knowing what makes good gear sound good. I find it entertaining. And its educational, helps me be a smarter gear shopper/user and makes it easier for me to make music knowing what my tools are made of. Knowledge is power friend.