My poor U87- repair advice?

[Shiny Beast]

Pics say it all. Not pretty.

So-- Who do I call? What would it cost? How long would it take?

A little history- I bought this mic, non-working, for $100 in 1992, from a defunct radio station. The capsule was slightly discolored (cig smoke?) but looked fine otherwise. I found a schematic and brought the mic back to life with a recap. It sounded great and was the pride & joy of my basement studio in the 90's. By the time I closed up shop in '99, it was having capsule problems- cutting out when you breathed on it, not sounding so good. I've used it very little since then.

[VT-MHE]

This is who you send it to. David brown. Audio Technical Services
He fixes all mics for just about everyone all over the world. He fixes mics, restores capsules, recaps, fixes currents and voltages and cleans and restores. He did the same for my u87. It was a completely different beast after he cleaned and fixed the mic. But he's the best person for the job will have you mic like brand new the day you got it out the box.

[api2500]

Originally Posted by VT-MHE

This is who you send it to. David brown. Audio Technical Services
He fixes all mics for just about everyone all over the world. He fixes mics, restores capsules, recaps, fixes currents and voltages and cleans and restores. He did the same for my u87. It was a completely different beast after he cleaned and fixed the mic. But he's the best person for the job will have you mic like brand new the day you got it out the box.

I think I'm going to bookmark this page for when that rainy day comes anyway...

[Albert L.]

Send it to Neumann. Pay the money, get the mic back, and move on with life

[jmikeperkins]

Based on your description and the photos (especially the ripples on the diaphram), you need a new capsule from Neumann or you will have to pay someone like Siegfried Thiersch to "re-skin" your current capsule. The re-skinn will be $300-$400 cheaper but will never sound quite the same as a genuine capsule from Neumann (about $800 - $850?) as the re-skinn materials will be slightly different from Neumann uses. Neumann also matches both halves of the capsules as a part of the manufacturing process which is not possible in a re-skin which could change the response of each half. If you can afford it, I would get a genuine capsule from Neumann since they are still available. It would also help the resale value of the mic should you ever want to sell it but I know its an expensive option.

[baskervils]

I sent mine to Sennheiser, who are the authorized repair folks in the US. They did a great job.

[TTatman]

Five or six years ago one of my U87s was exhibiting those same symptoms. I sent it to Neumann and it came back sounding fine. I don't remember the cost, but I do remember being very surprised at how reasonable it was.

[AllAboutTone]

Originally Posted by baskervils

I sent mine to Sennheiser, who are the authorized repair folks in the US. They did a great job.

I like this one best.

[suttlet1]

I can't recommend Neumann USA (Sennheiser). I sent my U87 back for a capsule cleaning. They claimed it needed a new capsule and wanted $700-800$ to replace it. I declined, got it back and sent it to Klaus Heyne, who had worked on it before. Turns out all it needed was a new FET. Everyone makes mistakes, but that's a very expensive mis-diagnosis

[sonus]

drefahlaudio microphone service repair reskinning mikrofonreparaturen
He did a great job reskinning one of my U67s a U87 and two C-451s I've sent to him. He is in Germany though so even though he is fast, it could take a little longer for you to get the mic back.

[carloff]

www.andreasgrosser.net
legend and the cheapest

[Matti]

More: Thiersch elektroakustik
and always friendly Bees Neez Microphones

Matti

[glenn Taylor]

I got a studio in 1980 that had a U87. In 1986 it would cut out when you breathed on it. A common problem some U87's have. Bought Desicant and stored it in a jar. It worked until 2005. rapper blew it out. Humidity bugs those mics. It is hard to beat now I have a new diaphram.
GT

[VT-MHE]

Originally Posted by suttlet1

I can't recommend Neumann USA (Sennheiser). I sent my U87 back for a capsule cleaning. They claimed it needed a new capsule and wanted $700-800$ to replace it. I declined, got it back and sent it to Klaus Heyne, who had worked on it before. Turns out all it needed was a new FET. Everyone makes mistakes, but that's a very expensive mis-diagnosis

Thank you! Neumann is gonna gouge you! But if you wanna do that with your money thats OK. Klaus heyne and David brown will can do the same thing, they can get capsules, build them whatever you want. It will come back sounding better than how neumann will send it.

[rjacobsen]

Great info guys!

[Klaus]

May I suggest a fairly inexpensive repair idea which is also the least intrusive, and most likely also the least sound-changing of them all:
Restore the existing capsule by restoring the tension of the damaged diaphragms.

This damage was most likely the result of the capsule whip-lashing against the inside of the basket upon external impact (notice the missing protective capsule collar which normally prevents that kind of mishap.)

Once you restore the diaphragm rings to perfect roundness, the original tension of the diaphragm usually returns as well (final verdict is not possible until inspection) and long-term capsule stability is regained.

Best regards,
Klaus Heyne


P.S.: If you contemplate capsule replacement I would not recommend trying to save money by reskinning. In my experience, it never sounds the same as a genuine Neumann diaphragm.

[digitrax]

Originally Posted by Klaus

May I suggest a fairly inexpensive repair idea which is also the least intrusive, and most likely also the least sound-changing of them all:
Restore the existing capsule by restoring the tension of the damaged diaphragms.

Best advice yet - probably all it needs.

Candidates for retensioning:
Klaus Heyne (tons of experience, but not the fastest turnaround)
Tracy Korby (possibly cheaper and quicker than Klaus)
Sigfried Thiersch (think he only does re-skins, but worth an ask)
Ben Sneezby (Bee's Neez mics - super friendly, very knowledgeable)
Greg Merrill (ex-Stephen Paul)
Bill Bradley (I think he does re-tensions - certainly does everything else)
David Brown (local, qualified, and reasonable)

[garymusic]

I have a good friend that had a great vintage U87 that was sent back to Neumann for repair. They put a new capsule and the Mic was never the same again. I have a U87 that was purchased from a seller that had the Mic serviced by David O. Brown and the Mic is just fantastic.

Sent from my HTC EVO.