Schoeps CMTS501U stereo mic repair

[bongo]

I have one that needs repair. It's a multi pattern mic that one capsule is stuck in omni and the other is intermittent. I've contacted Redding Audio to send it back to the factory and they say it has a 25% chance of being fixed and if they can't fix it they will send it back to me in parts.

Any other ideas?

Thanks

[Plush]

What a ridiculous response.

Schoeps policy about old tube mics is that they are not always able to repair them. They do indeed tell you that if they cannot repair the mic, it might be returned to you in parts---disassembled.

Since yours in a mic from the 1970's and it is not a tube mic, ask Redding to send it to Germany for you and then correspond only with the German factory.

Your contact there is Bernhard Volmer.

I know a number of people who have had their stereo mics repaired at the Schoeps factory with good success.

[fifthcircle]

They took a CMTS301 (same basic mic as yours but taking 12v phantom) of mine and completely rebuilt it. Both capsules needed major work and the electronics passed nothing but a buzz. It took awhile for them to deal with it, but when I got it back, it was essentially a new mic.

I have highest regards for the work that Schoeps does to their mics. When you add to that the pittifully low rates they charge, it blows the mind. I think my complete rebuild of that mic (granted it was about 5 years ago) was all of $350 or so.

--Ben

[boojum]

I may be wrong here but I thought that Redding batched the repair items and sent them once a month to Germany for work.

Contacting Herr Vollmer beforehand might be a good idea, too. Despite being a Ph. D. and a long time Schoeps guy he is quite approachable and friendly. I would certainly send both mics off for repair just so that they are matched. You also might want to contact DSatz on this board or Taperssection. He has worked with Schoeps for a number of years and is very knowledgeable about the mics and the company.


Cheers

[Celloman]

Originally Posted by Plush

What a ridiculous response.

Just got my 501 back last week after it was away for more than 2 months and they would not repair the capsule. I'm waiting for a response why.

Maybe I will send it back again?

Mike

[boojum]

Originally Posted by Celloman

Just got my 501 back last week after it was away for more than 2 months and they would not repair the capsule. I'm waiting for a response why.

Maybe I will send it back again?

Mike

Why not write Vollmer and see what he says? Try DSatz on this board and TS, too. You still may be able to get those mics fixed. I would be wary of others having a go at them.

Cheers

[bongo]

Thanks all,
I've got in touch with Bernhard and described the problems in detail. I'm hoping he will say this is a very fixable problem. It's was a beautiful sounding mic and I hope it will be again.

[boojum]

Originally Posted by bongo

Thanks all,
I've got in touch with Bernhard and described the problems in detail. I'm hoping he will say this is a very fixable problem. It's was a beautiful sounding mic and I hope it will be again.

I am hoping that Bernhard can come through for you. He posts occasionaly to Klaus Heyne's threads on mics.

Good luck. thumbsup

[Plush]

Originally Posted by Celloman

Just got my 501 back last week after it was away for more than 2 months and they would not repair the capsule. I'm waiting for a response why.

Maybe I will send it back again?

Mike

My point was that if someone is willing to say, without ever seeing or hearing the mic, that is has only a 25% chance of being repaired, they are just guessing.

As for your mic repair, please let us know what the reasons for no repair were. Each mic problem is different.

[Celloman]

Yes, agreed. They said that they did not have the parts needed for the repair. My mic is working, as in, both capsules work, but the top capsule does not get the patterns to spec. The patterns sound a little different from the bottom, which they reported as working correctly.
Mike

[Remoteness]

Originally Posted by Plush

My point was that if someone is willing to say, without ever seeing or hearing the mic, that is has only a 25% chance of being repaired, they are just guessing.

As for your mic repair, please let us know what the reasons for no repair were. Each mic problem is different.

This is why I never except a "no" answer from someone that cannot give me a "yes" answer!

[bongo]

I got my mic back today. It took a while, not for the repair, but going through customs.

I can't believe what they charged me.


$189.00 including shipping!


Thanks for all your help.

[boojum]

Red Rock is rocking! Glad the mic got fixed. When you have a special "pet" mic it is hard to give it up. Schoeps has had the reputation for years of A+ repairs on their gear. I am very happy to know that it is still the case. The price was good, too. Quality is cheaper in the long run.

[Plush]

Wow---great news. I'm glad to hear it worked out good for you.
Schoeps repair and quality control is the best there is.
Bernhard Volmer is also the best type of guy.

Compare this to how others treat the customer who makes a living with these tools.