Who is the best at bringing the old neumann stuff back to life? Mics concerned (Telefunkin 47, U47, U67, SM2)?

thanks in advance,

chris

The usual suspects (at least in the US) are Stephen Paul, Klaus Heine, Tracy Korby, Bill Bradley, and Fred Cameron. Stephen and Klaus don't typically 'restore' as much as they 'modify'. I've never worked with Tracy Korby's or Fred Cameron's mics, but I have had Bill Bradley at www.micshop.com go through my old Neumann/Gefell's. I'm pleased with what he did.

I bought a U47 from Bill Bradley in Nashville via mail order and it sounds good.

Klaus of German Masterworks, near Portland, Oregon receives rave reviews (and lots of $$ and time to do his work) from his clients. He has a demanding, very high-end approach, and will often keep the mic for a month at his lab before pronouncing his work finished.

Klaus and Bill are quite far apart in approach, style and mic philosophy. When I talk to them, I'm never quite sure who to believe more.

I haven't been too impressed with Korby's work, nor Bradley's. Fred Cameron does a good job as long as you have no plans on using the microphone for like the next year [same with Stephen Paul Audio... I've had a couple of mics that spent 3-4 years at SPA].

Klaus Heyne and Doug Walker have been my two favorites of late... with SPA also strongly in the running. I completely avoid the other 3 you mentioned.

As always, YMMV.

I don't know of Doug Walker - got a website?

No, but I have a phone number if you want to give me a call...

Nah - I don't have any Neumann's that need restoring - I just wanted to know more about the work he does (Information is the key to sounding like I know what the hell I'm talking about...)

Actually, I believe Neumann does their restorations( even on their classic mics), atleast they were the last time I visited their US website.