Neumann U67

[bexarametric]

Why does Neumann not have a reissue for this mic? Can they not find the parts? I know that if they released it, I would buy two of them. It just seems to get a lot of praise, yet isn't really being cloned like the 47, 251 and C12.

[84K]

Neumann got smart by the time the U67 came around and they trademarked the grill and body design. No one can clone it with out a law suit. So, the U87 is what they make now. Similar shape, no tube, but still a damn fine mic. Nothing like a 67 though.

[bexarametric]

Originally Posted by 84K

Neumann got smart by the time the U67 came around and they trademarked the grill and body design. No one can clone it with out a law suit. So, the U87 is what they make now. Similar shape, no tube, but still a damn fine mic. Nothing like a 67 though.

Right. But like you said "nothing like a U67". The U87 is a great mic, but it's still different. I guess Neumann's not hurting for money right now. But it seems so easy. If they remake the 67, I don't really see how that could be a bad move for them (as long as it sounds like one). You would think that they have the old blueprints just sitting around somewhere. I guess it's not that easy though.

I can always dream.

It seems like there's a lot of people looking for 67's on the used market (based on their selling prices). It's not like Neumann gets any of the money that is being exchanged on used U67 transactions. Why not cash in on the fact that some people want this?

[dylansmale]

funny I was thinking the same damn thing today! make a clone, without the same grill and body. won't matter to me as long as its cheaper.

[John Willett]

Originally Posted by bexarametric

Why does Neumann not have a reissue for this mic?

They *did* do a re-issue of the U67.

About 10 or 12 years ago, I think.

They used everything they could for the re-issue, keeping enough back for any repairs required.

[John Willett]

Originally Posted by dylansmale

funny I was thinking the same damn thing today! make a clone, without the same grill and body. won't matter to me as long as its cheaper.

No such thing ! - the "clones" around are *copies* not clones and sound different.

Some do a better job than others, but they are all copies and *not* a clone of the original.

[Fletcher]

There is always the InnerTUBE Audio tube amp 'retro-fit kit' for the U-87 which really takes those mics to an added level of cool.

Peace.

[A Fuertes]

Originally Posted by 84K

Neumann got smart by the time the U67 came around and they trademarked the grill and body design. No one can clone it with out a law suit. So, the U87 is what they make now. Similar shape, no tube, but still a damn fine mic. Nothing like a 67 though.

You can sue anyone for anything in America at least and if you have enough money you might just get your opponent to yield even if the law is against you. Yes america has issues.

But that said, intellectual property rights generally carry some time limitations and that mic was introduced about 40 years ago.

[danasti]

Originally Posted by bexarametric

Why does Neumann not have a reissue for this mic? Can they not find the parts? I know that if they released it, I would buy two of them. It just seems to get a lot of praise, yet isn't really being cloned like the 47, 251 and C12.

Here's a huge discussion on this topic.

Any U67 clone mics in the works?

[themaidsroom]

they are so great......
even the very used rental 67's
plug in and shine like almost no other mic




be well

- jack

i must add that i had a talk about the 67 with david bock a few years ago and he said that any real re-make
of the 67 would be an $8,000 mic right now - the right parts are expensive

[84K]

Originally Posted by Fletcher

There is always the InnerTUBE Audio tube amp 'retro-fit kit' for the U-87 which really takes those mics to an added level of cool.

Peace.

Yes. The Innertube retro fit is great. No a U67, but as good in its own right.

[dylansmale]

for artists its just snobbery to say its not a clone, but a copy. big deal. I bet no one out there would be able to tell the difference, with a few out board gear adjustments, or none at all.

[RKrizman]

Originally Posted by dylansmale

for artists its just snobbery to say its not a clone, but a copy. big deal. I bet no one out there would be able to tell the difference, with a few out board gear adjustments, or none at all.

And just what mic are you referring to?

-R

[Meriphew]

Originally Posted by dylansmale

for artists its just snobbery to say its not a clone, but a copy. big deal. I bet no one out there would be able to tell the difference, with a few out board gear adjustments, or none at all.

Huh???

[lambro]

Originally Posted by 84K

Yes. The Innertube retro fit is great. No a U67, but as good in its own right.

thats all that matters is that you have a reliable tool with a reasonable tolerance for build quality.

the old gear is certainly cool but the over the top reverence is really not justified, and I've used 67's, the old gear sounded great because the performers of yesteryear were epic, as in they will be talked about 200+ years from now.

How much new low-common-denominator Rap & Pop has been recorded through
V72s, old consoles whatever...who cares... the music still sucks.

$8k for a re-issue, no thanks - you could get a world class chain for that

no piece of gear is more important than the performance
and any great performance wil be great no matter what....even on a BOSS porta studio, or a BOSS porta potty for that matter

great performers are in short supply hence we look to the mics to save us, maybe because its the gear that gets closest to them

ah I feel better

[DamnYankee]

Originally Posted by 84K

Neumann got smart by the time the U67 came around and they trademarked the grill and body design. No one can clone it with out a law suit...

That's an old wives tale. Patents expire after 7-20 years (depending on industry). The reason why Neumann won't clone them is THEY CAN'T make exact duplicates.

The companies who made their components are long out of business (e.g., Allen Bradley who made the resistors). Every company has their own formulas for various components - which in the audio chain, sound different from one another.

[niteflite]

[quote=lambro;1870726]great performers are in short supply

feels correct.
but why?

[John Moran]

Neumann used the last of their original transformer stock in the last run of the U67 they made circa 1995. The transformers are no longer available ergo no more U67. It's all the original parts or it's not a U67.

I have one brand new in the original box left over from when I was a Neumann dealer back in the 1990s.


Want to make me an offer ?

[jmikeperkins]

Since the EF-86 tube used in the U67 is still very easy to get (unlike the VF14 and the AC701 tubes used in the U47 and M49), and Neumann still makes the EXACT K67 capsule, its impossible for me to believe Neumann can not re-issue a new U67. Even if they could not find the EXACT internal components by the original manufactures, they could come pretty close and re-create the (complicated) circuit. The transformer could be custom made by some of the specialty companies that now exist (like TAB Funkenwork). I bet with 1/2 the Research and Development budget that Neumann spent on their usless (to me an least) Series D mics, they could re-create the U67. They could get $6,000 - $7,000 for them and they would sell. Of all the classic vintage tube mics, the U67 is probably the ONLY one that could actually be remade (because of the capsule and the tube). I'll never understand why they won't do it. I just don't buy the argument that it can't be done economically. Just look at Fender and Gibson and all the money they make recreating their classics. I think that internal politics at Neumann are stopping this as the powers that be view it as a step "backward" or something stupid like that.

J. Mike Perkins

[bexarametric]

Originally Posted by jmikeperkins

Since the EF-86 tube used in the U67 is still very easy to get (unlike the VF14 and the AC701 tubes used in the U47 and M49), and Neumann still makes the EXACT K67 capsule, its impossible for me to believe Neumann can not re-issue a new U67. Even if they could not find the EXACT internal components by the original manufactures, they could come pretty close and re-create the (complicated) circuit. The transformer could be custom made by some of the specialty companies that now exist (like TAB Funkenwork). I bet with 1/2 the Research and Development budget that Neumann spent on their usless (to me an least) Series D mics, they could re-create the U67. They could get $6,000 - $7,000 for them and they would sell. Of all the classic vintage tube mics, the U67 is probably the ONLY one that could actually be remade (because of the capsule and the tube). I'll never understand why they won't do it. I just don't buy the argument that it can't be done economically. Just look at Fender and Gibson and all the money they make recreating their classics. I think that internal politics at Neumann are stopping this as the powers that be view it as a step "backward" or something stupid like that.

J. Mike Perkins

If we can send man to the moon and have pills that can make you stay erect, I think we can make the U67 (especially since it's something that has already been done). I'm willing to bet that it wouldn't cost Neumann that much either. They'll still sell it for a lot though.

[84K]

Originally Posted by DamnYankee

That's an old wives tale. Patents expire after 7-20 years (depending on industry). The reason why Neumann won't clone them is THEY CAN'T make exact duplicates.

The companies who made their components are long out of business (e.g., Allen Bradley who made the resistors). Every company has their own formulas for various components - which in the audio chain, sound different from one another.

not true. Patents can be extended. I have a patent lawyer on speed dial.

[Zuewi]

Neumann listen we want a U67 reissue

I think AMS-Neve is making also a gold nose with their reissue series. Why not also Neumann? I think the market would be open fo something like this....

[vernier]

Why does Neumann not have a reissue for this mic?

So far, no company has been able to reissue anything that is like the original, no matter what gear. Possibly an LA2A or some 1176 might be close, but thats about it. Mics?.. forget it.

[Reptil]

Originally Posted by vernier

So far, no company has been able to reissue anything that is like the original, no matter what gear. Possibly an LA2A or some 1176 might be close, but thats about it. Mics?.. forget it.

+1 Components are different. Sound is slightly different. When stacking up, it becomes more obvious.

Beyerdynamic MV740 (solid state, transformer, also discontinued) in use here (lovely room mic favourite application: blumlein pair) and it was said by some people here, that it's close. Personally, I'm happy either way (simular or not), but wanted to mention this, as it is less expensive, and often overlooked.

Thinking about it, what JimPerkins said might be true. A reissue would be ommitting their current line isn't as good as the "classics". Two possible snags: the tube isn't being made anymore (and certainly not at the level of quality as in the sixties-seventies), and the transformer would be different as well. The U67 was made up to 1995? That is news to me.

cheers,
R.

[John Willett]

Originally Posted by jmikeperkins

I bet with 1/2 the Research and Development budget that Neumann spent on their usless (to me an least) Series D mics, they could re-create the U67.

Only to you - I would have a series D over a U67 any day.

[doorknocker]

Originally Posted by Zuewi

Neumann listen we want a U67 reissue

Because Gearslutz's future depends on it. It would guarantee years of shootouts and heated debates of original vs. reissue, early run reissues (2009-2010) vs. the later ones that ccme with the slightly bigger Neumann badge that is said to affect the resonance of the tube, etc

[kats]

Just a FYI,

Oliver at Tab is manufactures the U67 TX.

So you have the capsule, tube, armour, and TX. The only thing missing is a PCB board with a bunch of cheap parts.

[kats]

Oh and instead of waiting for Neumann to do something, someone should make a u67 retrofit for an 87. It can be done. I'm very surprised it hasn't been done.

innertube has shown the possiblities and reception to such a product.

[warhead]

Wasn't there some hi and lo pass filtering going on with the U67, sort of a pre-EQ'd sound that was part of the magic?

War

[kats]

Yes, but if I understand correctly the NFB circuit also rolls off some top end (perhaps because of phase shift?) which "kinda" works with a kk67/87 capsule which are inherently quite bright.

I noticed this on the IT 87 tube retrofit which is almost a straight wire design - you can really hear the capsule and it's quite bright.