Wunder-ing about Wagner

[Metatone]

I've been planning on buying a Wagner U47w for awhile now. Recently, with all the posts on the Wunder CM7, I'm starting to wonder...

I'm looking for that deep rich magic of the Neumann U47, without the potential issues of going vintage. Has anyone used both Wagner and Wunder, or a/b'd them with a particularly good original 47?

There seem to be a lot of Wunder users here...any Wagnerians out there?

Any relevant comments are appreciated, thanks!

[GYang]

Wagner U47 is as good as U47 can be from my experience.
It holds top position amongst current U47 re-creations.
I heard Wunder several times, but didn't compare them directly, as far as, it can be relevant, I think it is another wonderful mic in U47 sonic direction.
Wagner or Wunder ?
I think there's no answer on that question.
I have one Wagner U47 and my dilemma is either to but second or to add Wunder to the collectioin. Right now I am inclined more toward Wagner.

[AdamJay]

Don't discount the Red Type B with B7 capsule.

Here's Tape Op's review of the B7 capsule, and various bodies, with comparisons to the U47....
http://www.vintagemicrophone.com/JSh...peB_review.pdf

"almost impossible to tell the two apart" sticks out in that review.

[KazRemark]

I have had my Wagner 47 w/ KK47 Capsule since December, and can attest to its quality. It is by far the richest sounding microphone I have ever used for what its worth. However, I have never heard the Wunder, have however worked in a studio that had two original 47's and I do feel that the Wagner is very much in line with that vintage heritage. Based on the reviews about the Wunder around here my bet would be that you cant go wrong with either a Wunder or a Wagner. At any rate, all I can attest to is that the Wagner is an outstanding Beast of a Microphone. I am currently saving up for a second one for stereo work. I wish you great luck with whatever choice you make in the end, I am sure you will be happy either way.

[dokushoka]

Originally Posted by AdamJay

Don't discount the Red Type B with B7 capsule.

Here's Tape Op's review of the B7 capsule, and various bodies, with comparisons to the U47....
http://www.vintagemicrophone.com/JSh...peB_review.pdf

"almost impossible to tell the two apart" sticks out in that review.

It looks like they were comparing a CMV 563 with an M7 capsule to the B7. Not really the same thing as a u47. While the CMV 563 is certainly in the same family as the U47, it lacks the "above and beyond" qualities that make the 47 so wonderful.

Its important to note that most m7 capsules that are around today that have NOT been re-skinned are going to be pretty f-ed up. You can't really compare one of those to something new and expect a "fair" comparison. We have a 563 with a new capsule, an original Telefunken u47 that is totally original, a u48 with a kk47 and the Wunder CM7. They all sound pretty different, but all are pretty great. The CM7 has been the clear favorite for vocals lately.

[Metatone]

Thanks for the replies so far. Any others?

I'm still hoping to hear from someone who's a/b'd them directly.

[Metatone]

According to my last emails with Gunter (Wagner), the price for the u47w with all accessories is $5890 USD. He's currently not taking orders while he gets caught up with existing orders but will likely start again in June or July.

I don't recall the price of the Wunder but I believe it's in the same ballpark. Perhaps one of the recent Wunder-buyers could pipe in.

I don't know anything about kits....anyone?

[T.RayBullard]

I am a big fan of the Ring Cycle, Parsifal, and Der Fliegende Hollander. Wotan is my dream role as a singer.

His book "my life' is equally fantastic!

[GYang]

Originally Posted by T.RayBullard

I am a big fan of the Ring Cycle, Parsifal, and Der Fliegende Hollander. Wotan is my dream role as a singer.

His book 'my life' is equally fantastic!

Both ways Wagner is classic

[jimbo_baby84]

if you want a faithful u47 recreation, the wagner is the only thing in the world you should be looking at. if not, the only thing you can do is listen for yourself. i know gunter has a demo mic he sends everywhere. not sure about wunder tho.

[Matt Allison]

I got the Wunder CM7 last month and have been thrilled with it. Mike is a great guy and everything he said about the mic was true: it gets better and better as the NOS tube burns in, it sits in a mix unlike anything I've ever heard and it sounds friggin huge.

[Mark Warren]

Yeah I'm on the Wagner list somewhere, communication was a little slow but he did get back to me. Haven't heard in anything in many many months, but what everyone says here is true, the list is long and he's building very few these days as the parts are getting harder to find. I would guess that the wait at this point would be minimum a year, maximum several years?? Who knows. I'd like to demo the Wunder though. I am in Austin, hmmm.

[danasti]

Originally Posted by dokushoka

It looks like they were comparing a CMV 563 with an M7 capsule to the B7. Not really the same thing as a u47. While the CMV 563 is certainly in the same family as the U47, it lacks the "above and beyond" qualities that make the 47 so wonderful.

Actually, On the second page he compares the M7/cmv combo with a vintage neumann U47 saying they compare favorably through the middle and on top but with the U47 being much fuller and more extended on bottom.

However, when he switches to the B7 capsule the vintage U47 and the combo are indistinguishable to his ears and the two other people there were also in agreement. He goes on to say that he has done many mic comparisons over the years and this is the closest any two mics have sounded. "I've never heard two mics this close to eachother"

Let's face it though. If you bought a vintage U47 and had it reskinned and tuned to spec it's going to be hard to be subjective. I know that I could never be subjective. I trust tape-op reviews more than most but like he mentions; it only his opinion.

Next if you have a studio charging top dollar your clients want a U47 and they don't care about a "9 out of 10 could not tell the difference" answer when they ask you for a U47. It's understandable that someone wants something specific and pays for something specific. It totally goes beyond sound. It's psychological for both engineer and artist in certain situations. It's the same effect as a blanket that someone has had since childhood or a brand of mit for a baseball player.

[Wunderkap]

I was just emailed about MP3's, price & availability.
We have really ramped up production on these so I just wanted to chime in to say that there is no lead time at $5495. I can email MP3 comparisons also. You can check out more info on our site.

Hope this helps...
Wkap

[huarez]

I don´t know the Wunder, but that Wagner U47 I own( M 7) is a great mic with all the qualitys I expected from a U 47. Used it with great success on different sources and I think the price is o.k.