Vintage Microphone Reskinning

[iangomes]

I'm in the market for a vintage u87 and I was wondering if having a reskinned capsule makes a difference in value. Is it better to have an original, or is a reskin job no big deal?

Thanks!

[idee und klang]

Originally Posted by iangomes

I'm in the market for a vintage u87 and I was wondering if having a reskinned capsule makes a difference in value. Is it better to have an original, or is a reskin job no big deal?

Thanks!

Hi
That is a good question. If you have a Mic with a reskinned Capsule done propperly at least you know what you have and the capsule will last for several years. If you buy one with an original old capsule (used) then most likly you pay more and soon you might have to reskinn the capsule anyway. But on the market it seems that those Mics with a lot of original parts have a higher value. If you want an original Capsule I would make sure that you buy the mic from a good company that gives you a garantie that the capsule is good. If you buy private then you could also suggest to send the mic to a Mic Tecnician first to evaluate the situation of the capsule. That said the Caspules in a U87 are still made and I can not say that I think that they would sound any worse than an old one. In my mics with that Casule (U67, U77) when the capsule was over in one, then I had not done a reskin but got a new K87 Caspule in most situation.

hope this helps
Daniel
www.ideeundklang.com

[Tanio]

... and in case you need it, check this guy:
Thiersch elektroakustik

[iangomes]

Thanks guys.
So is it pretty standard for a 40 year old microphone to require reskinning? Is there any chance of finding a 70's u87 with an original capsule/skin in great condition? Or should I just buy one that has been reskinned and stop worrying about it?

[Bill@WelcomeHome]

Originally Posted by iangomes

Thanks guys.
So is it pretty standard for a 40 year old microphone to require reskinning? Is there any chance of finding a 70's u87 with an original capsule/skin in great condition? Or should I just buy one that has been reskinned and stop worrying about it?

kinda depends upon who reskinned it and with what. But a wise idea when buying used: make acceptance of the mic dependent upon a known repair house approving the mic, and verifying that it is what it is purported to be and meets reasonable expectations. This saved my butt more than once. I had the mics sent directly to the shop, so that the seller knew that I wasn't pulling a fast one.

[postman56]

I for one, from experience have had nothing but great results having a few of my older AKG and Neumann/Telefunken microphones reskinned.
More often than not ,your buying a vintage mic that will need some servicing no matter what,so if the tech is reputable, the servicing was recent,documented, your chances of getting a great sounding microphone is more assured.
Email if you need a good mic tech, I'd be more than happy to pass their shingle info.

[ilovesound]

Ian ... since you are in Toronto, get the mic checked out by Doug Walker. He is in Guelph ... pretty much the best guy in the world period for re-skinning capsules etc ... he did my U67 a few years ago. great guy!