Where has Stephen Paul Audio gone?

[faeflora]

I think all of this is just a case of very specialized geek (non insulting meaning) type people running a business.


I've seen this before with other boutique manufacturers in audio and out. In audio, do searches on Barefoot audio for example. Or, for another manufacturer, I've had some U73s being modified at TAB Funkenwerk for quite a while (poke poke Oliver). I also hang out at a Miata forum and one of the top Miata tuners often takes weeks to reply to voicemails or emails.

[T.RayBullard]

Tony Merrill and Mr. Heyne are both excellent and very helpful. They have my complete trust. They are a rare breed that can do things to microphones that noone else can. I wouldnt hesitate using either of them. They both have good reputations for a reason.

[mtstudios@charter]

Originally Posted by BigRay

Tony Merrill and Mr. Heyne are both excellent and very helpful. They have my complete trust. They are a rare breed that can do things to microphones that noone else can. I wouldnt hesitate using either of them. They both have good reputations for a reason.

Ok,
I hope you are right.

[dbbubba]

I was reading this old post and felt it needed an addition.

#1 Tony and Stephen Paul both did work for me in the past and it was allways fast and top notch. I trusted them completely. Of course I only sent them early '70s U87s and AKG 414s which had readily available parts. No difficult to repair and mod tube stuff.

#2 The concept of checking serial numbers was (is?) practiced by Gotham Audio for years and it was very widely known that there was list of stolen Nuemann mics that they would reference against. They would return your mic if it was on that list. At a studio I worked at we had a U87 in a desk drawer that an engineer bought from a guy who "walked in off of the steet" for almost TWELVE YEARS! When we eventually fired it up it was broke, but I was able to repair it. It had "RP" engraved in the metal body tube. It is long gone today.

If someone I knew found something that was stolen from me I'd appreciate it if they returned it to me. I have had quite a few mics stolen over the years myslf!

In the present days of eBay and such there is a lot of stolen gear being moved.
It is the risk you take.

Ever know anyone that got caught driving a car that they bought only to find out that it was stolen?

SOUNDS LIKE AN EPISODE OF COPS!

Danny Brown

[Rolff]

Originally Posted by jdunn

I had a Korby mic that Korby couldn't fix, but Tony at SPA did. It took about 16 months as I recall, but the mic has never had a problem since. I guess 16 months is a pretty good turn-around-time for a nobody such as myself.

This mic was one of a pair of Korby CM3's that I bought years ago. I had a few capacitors and resistors modded, and I'm still not sure if the mic had a problem when I bought it, or if someting happened when it was modded.

Tony told me that a high impedence amplifier circuit is very sensitive. They've had cases where the oil from a person touching a component caused problems. My mic had a sputtering tube problem. Those little military tubes have a pretty high failure rate. They were originally used as artilery fuses in military aircraft.

Anyway, here's my thoughts on that stolen mic situation above. If Sound Castle was a longtime SPA customer, it's understandable that SPA would want to get their mic back to them. The fact that the situation ended up in court, and is still unresolved, means that it probably could have been handled in a different way. Sound Castle should have showed proof-of-ownership and bought the mic back with their insurance money. Maybe they never got any insurance money, or who knows?

Regarding the time I posted a story about SPA changing the capsule on a famous artist's mic and Tony tore me a new one, I probably deserved it. I heard the story second hand, and shouldn't have posted it. This was also around the time Stephen Paul passed away, and I still feel badly about it.

Hi Tony. Best of luck at the new digs.

Surprising to hear that Korby could not fix a mic. I know Tracy (his new mic shop is directly above mine and I see him almost daily) and will speak with him about this.

This guy is one of the most awesome mic techs in the world and builds a very nice line of their own design. They machine every part in their own shop. Even the capsules are made one at a time from "scratch"!

>>> On that note, as I understand it, Tracy was Stephen Paul's capsule guy for some years.

Rock on!
Rolff

[max cooper]

Originally Posted by kevinc

I can understand being in the shoes of the guy who wanted his mic back after it was stolen but what about the guy that put $2,000 into a mic that he didn`t know was stolen in the first place ? Very tough situation but it looks to me like Sound Castle basically stole the mic back a little differently than it was stolen from them.

If I'm not mistaken, the law is usually on the side of the party the item was stolen from, but that is contingent on proof of ownership (which seems to have failed here, and thus the ownershipo would remain with the 'new' owner regardless of all else.)

I found a friend's stolen amplifier in a pawnshop, and when he produced the original receipt and the police report, the owner handed the amplifier over, no argument.

[thejook]

Originally Posted by mtstudi@pacbell

That is very interesting. I have the same problem, just more complicated. In 1996 I bought a Neumann U47fet for 2k from a private party. Year 2000 came along and the mic needed repair. I took it to Steve and Paul Audio. 2 days later Tony called and informed me that the serial # of that mic matched a a serial # from a mic that was on a FLYER of stolen property. This FLYER was put out by (Buddy) from Sound Castle Studio. They had some mics missing and thought they could get them back. 2003 rolls around and Tony returned that mic to Sound Castle against my wishes. I wanted some kind of proof that they owned that mic. Plus it was not Tony's responsibility to play police. I took him to small claims court. Basically the judge ordered him to pay me for the mic. In private I agreed to let Tony find me a Neumann mic.
That was over a year and a half ago. I hope he is trying. This has been a 5 year on going dilemma.

www.bluethumbproductions.com

You sent it to Steve and Paul audio?

Hmmmm....

[T.RayBullard]

Originally Posted by thejook

You sent it to Steve and Paul audio?

Hmmmm....

well no wonder it took so long. Steve and Paul Audio is probably just a scam business, luring SPAudio customers in...

[Plush]

I would never wait 4 or 5 years for a guru of anything to finish the work.

Absurd voodoo dung!

I cannot believe you guys are buying it!

[mtstudios@charter]

Originally Posted by thejook

You sent it to Steve and Paul audio?

Hmmmm....

Yes I did. I am really getting frustrated with their outfit. Bought the U47 fet for 2 grand in 1995, took it to Stephen Paul Audio 2000, was given to Sound Castle in 2003 (they said it was theirs, but no police report), took SPA to court April 2004 (ruled in my favor), it is now May 2006. I have not seen a penny or a mic.


www.bluethumbproductions.com

[mtstudios@charter]

Originally Posted by dbbubba

I was reading this old post and felt it needed an addition.

#1 Tony and Stephen Paul both did work for me in the past and it was allways fast and top notch. I trusted them completely. Of course I only sent them early '70s U87s and AKG 414s which had readily available parts. No difficult to repair and mod tube stuff.

#2 The concept of checking serial numbers was (is?) practiced by Gotham Audio for years and it was very widely known that there was list of stolen Nuemann mics that they would reference against. They would return your mic if it was on that list. At a studio I worked at we had a U87 in a desk drawer that an engineer bought from a guy who "walked in off of the steet" for almost TWELVE YEARS! When we eventually fired it up it was broke, but I was able to repair it. It had "RP" engraved in the metal body tube. It is long gone today.

If someone I knew found something that was stolen from me I'd appreciate it if they returned it to me. I have had quite a few mics stolen over the years myslf!

In the present days of eBay and such there is a lot of stolen gear being moved.
It is the risk you take.

Ever know anyone that got caught driving a car that they bought only to find out that it was stolen?

SOUNDS LIKE AN EPISODE OF COPS!

Danny Brown

Danny,

THE LAW IS, IF YOU FOUND AN ITEM OF YOURS THAT WAS STOLEN IN A PAWN SHOP, IF YOU WANT YOUR MERCHANDISE BACK, THE OWNER OF THE PAWN SHOP CAN COLLECT RESITUTION FOR THE MONEY HE PUT IN. ONE I WENT TO COURT FOR THIS MICROPHONE, THE SAID OWNER WAS THERE IN TONY'S DEFENSE, AND DID AND COULD NOT PRODUCE A POLICE REPORT FOR THE MICROPHONE(S) STOLEN. ALL WAS HIS WORD THAT $80,000 OF MICROPHONES WERE STOLEN FROM HIS LOCKER. IF $80.000 IN MY MICROPHONES WERE STOLEN FROM ME, YOU CAN BET YOUR ASS I WOULD HAVE FILED A POLICE REPORT. I ON THE OTHER HAND PRODUCED A RECEIPT OF $2000 FOR MY PURCHASE FROM A PRIVATE PARTY. IF I WAS TO CHECK THE BACKGROUND OF THAT MICROPHONE IT WOULD HAVE COME UP CLEAN. THAT IS WHY IT WAS DECIDED IN MY FAVOR. TONY WAS WRONG TO PLAY POLICEMAN.

WWW.BLUETHUMBPRODUCTIONS.COM

[T.RayBullard]

I am about to send my AKG 426 to Tony too...

I dont care how long he keeps it, so long as he works his magic like always.

[mtstudios@charter]

Tony Merril has come through and given me a loaner microphone to use while he is in search for a replacement. I commend him and retract anything negative I have said in regards to stolen microphone.

www.bluethumbproductions.com

[Ruphus]

thumbsup

[tmarra]

I don't know anything about repairing vintage mics, but this waiting 5 years for a repair has got me a little puzzled.

For the benifit of doubt, let's assume it takes (2) 8 hour work days to repair a vintage mic. Let's take a 4 week vacation (wish I could) once a year, so we have 48 weeks in a year times 5 years for 240 weeks. Now if we ONLY work Monday to Friday (don't I wish), that would be 5 days times 240 weeks for a total of 1200 days. Now we divide that by the "2 days to fix a mic" assumptiom above, we get 600 mics repaired in 5 years.

So does that mean if I bring my mic in for repair there are 599 mics on the shelf ahead of me?

Wow... and you still want to leave your mic there to be repaired?

That's a devoted clientel and true job security.

-Tony

[T.RayBullard]

The work done at SPAudio is amazing. If it isnt worth the wait to you, then just dont deal with them. It is to me, so I will! 5 years was a one time thing I think...he typically takes 6 months or so....

Originally Posted by tmarra

I don't know anything about repairing vintage mics, but this waiting 5 years for a repair has got me a little puzzled.

For the benifit of doubt, let's assume it takes (2) 8 hour work days to repair a vintage mic. Let's take a 4 week vacation (wish I could) once a year, so we have 48 weeks in a year times 5 years for 240 weeks. Now if we ONLY work Monday to Friday (don't I wish), that would be 5 days times 240 weeks for a total of 1200 days. Now we divide that by the "2 days to fix a mic" assumptiom above, we get 600 mics repaired in 5 years.

So does that mean if I bring my mic in for repair there are 599 mics on the shelf ahead of me?

Wow... and you still want to leave your mic there to be repaired?

That's a devoted clientel and true job security.

-Tony

[swankdoc]

Ok, Im sorry if this sounds irreverent.....
Why not:
1. Have a waiting list as to when to send the mics in? For example....it costs say $500 up front to get put on the waiting list. Money that goes towards the repairs. And get this...the owner gets to keep the mic while the list whittles down! What a concept. Then the company can mail a letter say 2 months in advance of when they think they can get it on the bench. "please be aware that we now request you send your mic in for the repairs / mods." Then they can send another letter out 1 month in advance. "Our records show you have not sent in your mic yet, please send your mic in now. If it is not received by 26 Oct 06, then you lose your deposit and you go to the back of the list." Heck, they could even send out yearly Christmas cards with pictures of funny little elves doing microphone work that says, "Merry Christmas. Congratulations! Our records show that you are now #1456 on our list and are due to have your mic repaired about May 2011! Mark your calendars now."

I mean doesnt that solve a lot problems? How costly is it to do something like this? Hey man, there's basic software programs that'll do this ya know..
Whats the cost to a business in terms of getting phone calls all day long from the owners of some 500 mics bitching about how long they've had their mics? how much time do they spend on the phones talking people off the cliff? How much business is lost or reputation is damaged due to ridiculous sequestered times?
And get this, $500 for 5 years of interest is pretty nifty. If people are willing to let their mics sit for 3 years, they'll sure as hell pay $500 up front to get on a list.

2. I cant help but believe that its a pretty nice set up as is, to be having these mics as a part of a rental system. I mean, 500 or so of peoples most beloved mics just sitting on a shelf for years at a time? C'mon, it seems to me a likely no brainer that a C24 demands pretty good coin for rentals, and 5 years collecting rent from it aint a bad thing. Then heck, these guys are gonna do the repairs and fix them eventually anyway, so why wouldnt they? Obviously they would do rentals out of their own office, but what about a few neighboring friends and their businesses? Anyone ever wonder what 500 great mics are doing just hanging out on shelves for years at a time.
I aint accusing no-one of nothing, just pondering thats all.

From a pure business pov it makes absolutely no sense whatsoever to be doing business the way people say they are. Gsus, hire a few people and teach them how to do the work. In 5 years Im guessing they could get pretty skilled. If the demand is that high....I just dont get it.
Hell, in most businesses, 48 hours delay means loss.

Ok, I feel a little better now.

[Alexi]

Originally Posted by Fletcher

The last time I sent Tony a mic for repair it took a little over 5 years before I got the mic back... worth every minute of waiting... beautiful work!!!

are you serious ?........5 years?

[T.RayBullard]

Folks....the standard time IS NOT 5 years.. Everyone is taking this and running with it.

[mr.gefell]

it's a 2 man shop with michael doing the office work

[T.RayBullard]

Originally Posted by mr.gefell

it's a 2 man shop with michael doing the office work

and worth every bit of the wait. If you dont want to wait, send it elsewhere, but the company is top notch, and NOONE can modify microphones like SPAudio can.

[jacobq]

Originally Posted by T.RayBullard

and worth every bit of the wait. If you dont want to wait, send it elsewhere, but the company is top notch, and NOONE can modify microphones like SPAudio can.

I've got two Klaus Heyne modified U87s that would make a liar out of you.

[Plush]

It was and is a Los Angeles snobbery pit.

Those in Hell-A in the high end scoring and recording market aided and abetted by reverential articles in "MiX" magazine, built the mystique and snobbery of this shoppe.

It is clear that all involved with the new mic have run out of money and expertise.

Say what you like, parking one's mic at a repair shoppe for a long time is NOT what we will be doing.

The reason is that the mic is not making the sound.

The source is making the sound.

[warhead]

From personal experience I can say that Tony Merrill seems to be the exact opposite of a snob and I've dealt with him on a business level as well.

When you say snobs do you mean those that frequent SPA locally?

War

[T.RayBullard]

Originally Posted by jacobq

I've got two Klaus Heyne modified U87s that would make a liar out of you.

Tony's approach is different than Klaus's so no..that isnt true. Thanks.

[T.RayBullard]

Tony is great, a humble, nice guy.

If you mean the clients, Plush..yeah...it goes with the territory.

[squeegybug]

I know of some "snobs" in the audio business. They tell you things like "don't call for information or to find our wait time or price estimate, just send the device and we might get to it if or when we wish". They are not in LA.

I also have dealt with Tony Merrill. Absolutely first rate human being, taking time with me to discuss at length something that cost $15. Which he explained in great detail in three different phone calls, and then took my CC number and address and packaged and shipped to me immediately.

I expect this intensity of service and communication certainly cuts into his time for "real" mic repairs. He's just a nice guy, and those kinds of folks sometimes have problems saying "don't call for information, just send it in and.....".

Steve

[swankdoc]

Originally Posted by T.RayBullard

and worth every bit of the wait. If you dont want to wait, send it elsewhere, but the company is top notch, and NOONE can modify microphones like SPAudio can.

Still, why do the mics have to sit on the shelf during the extended waiting period?

Somebody tell them for a mere $10,000 consulting fee, I'll fly down there and within a week I'll set up an automatic software program that sends out mailings as to when people are to send their mics in. I'll have their waiting list and mail-in in system running like a Klaus Heyne modified U67.

An SPA modification.......$1400, a much happier set of waiting clients......priceless.

[T.RayBullard]

Originally Posted by swankdoc

Still, why do the mics have to sit on the shelf during the extended waiting period?

Somebody tell them for a mere $10,000 consulting fee, I'll fly down there and within a week I'll set up an automatic software program that sends out mailings as to when people are to send their mics in. I'll have their waiting list and mail-in in system running like a Klaus Heyne modified U67.

An SPA modification.......$1400, a much happier set of waiting clients......priceless.

Youll have to ask Tony about that. I am not qualified to comment on how he runs his internal affairs..I can only comment on the level of craftsmanship, humility and kindness that he posseses, and the overall great experiences ive had with the company... He has plenty of happy clients, there is no shortage of people wanting to work with him. I am sure he would be glad to talk to you, give him a call.

Teddy

[HarryH]

Reading about the mic being sent to the "owner" who had it on a list as stolen is pretty bad.First off,the police should have been called,if it happened to me I would have done it in a heartbeat.Confiscating a mic and sending it to someone else is Theft by Taking,no matter the intentions.Also if a police report was filed,the police should have been notified to deal with it, no one else.If a insurance company paid off on it,the police would send it to them,as they would own it ,not whom it was stolen from,and that wouldnt happen fast.
Harry