Can you identify this 1960's microphone?

[Hastings]

Does anyone here know what the mic is, being used by lead singer, on the left? [[1965ish]] I see the same thing hanging from the group in front of the harmony singers. Thank you.

Jay Black, Lead Singer With 1960s Hitmakers Jay & The Americans, Dies At 82

Jay Black, lead singer with 1960s US chart regulars Jay and the Americans, has died at the age of 82, of complications from pneumonia.

www.udiscovermusic.com

 

[Dukex]

Could be an AKG C12.

 

[Engine Swap]

Looks like a U47 or U48

 

[Geoff738]

U47/48?

Cheers,
Geoff

 

[Geoff738]

Just for fun I believe the three on the right are an m269, a U47/48 and an M49/50. In that order.

Cheers,
Geoff

 

[Memphis Soul]

That is amazing that you guys can identify an old microphone from a photo. I know nothing about mics.

 

[Geoff738]

That is amazing that you guys can identify an old microphone from a photo. I know nothing about mics.

They loook at least a bit different and what would have been found in top studios at the time usually wasn’t a very long list. Have I used many of the golden age classics personally? No, but I have been on a session where an m49 was used. That mic was incredible.

Cheers,
Geoff

 

[Chester P Squier]

That is amazing that you guys can identify an old microphone from a photo. I know nothing about mics.

But they didn't identify the manufacturer. Neumann? Electro-Voice? Some other brand?

 

[Hastings]

I figured that Peegoo would be on here quoting the Serial numbers.

Really, there's a lot of knowledge floating around here.

 

[Geoff738]

But they didn't identify the manufacturer. Neumann? Electro-Voice? Some other brand?

Neumann and/or Telefunken.

Cheers,
Geoff

 

[WireLine]

Neumann or Telefunken U47 or 48, difference being the polar patterns.

Telefunken was the distributor for Neumann for while, and put their badge on them, otherwise exact same mic.

In today's world originals are stupid expensive and hard to keep in factory spec. There are many clones, some REALLY close, some not worth a squat

 

[WireLine]

Pic on the right: U67, U47 or 48, M49 or 50, all Neumanns, all top of the line stuff. All tube, all insanely expensive by standards then, even mores by today's standards.

None of these are mics likely used in hobbyist, bedroom, or even smaller pro production studios. Shoot, I feel my checkbook shrinking just talking about them

 

[Geoff738]

Pic on the right: U67, U47 or 48, M49 or 50, all Neumanns, all top of the line stuff. All tube, all insanely expensive by standards then, even mores by today's standards.

None of these are mics likely used in hobbyist, bedroom, or even smaller pro production studios. Shoot, I feel my checkbook shrinking just talking about them

I am pondering a Signal Art or United U48. Not inexpensive, but not crazy either, particularly the United. And yes, probably an 67 not an m269. The 269 has a a band on the headbasket.

Cheers,
Geoff

 

[WireLine]

I am pondering a Signal Art or United U48. Not inexpensive, but not crazy either, particularly the United. And yes, probably an 67 not an m269. The 269 has a a band on the headbasket.

Cheers,
Geoff

In my travels, I've owned and used extensively a couple of clones (it's been awhile, though). The Peluso 2248 is very VERY good, but hands down the mic I owned, then sold in a moment of unfathomable stupidity is the Pearlman TM1. I put mine up against some very well used examples of original 47s and it was chosen to be the superior mic exactly 100% of the time.

There are only 3 things in this universe I've had that I wish I could have again: a 65 foam green strat, that Pearlman mic, and time I've wasted on chasing stupid things

 

[Engine Swap]

But they didn't identify the manufacturer. Neumann? Electro-Voice? Some other brand?

Nobody asks who makes an SM57 or what Cher’s last name is

 

[Chester P Squier]

Neumann and/or Telefunken.

Cheers,
Geoff

Neumann or Telefunken U47 or 48, difference being the polar patterns.

Telefunken was the distributor for Neumann for while, and put their badge on them, otherwise exact same mic.

In today's world originals are stupid expensive and hard to keep in factory spec. There are many clones, some REALLY close, some not worth a squat

Now see, us boomer/geezers on the TDPRI know guitars and brand names. If you say Stratocaster or Telecaster; Les Paul or J-45; 6120; 360-12; or D28, we will know you mean Fender, Gibson, Gretsch, Rickenbacker or Martin. I'm just not up on who made what model of recording mikes.

 

[Chester P Squier]

Nobody asks who makes an SM57 or what Cher’s last name is

Oh, I do. Who makes an SM57? And it's LaPier.

I think.

 

[THX1139]

Neumann or Telefunken U47 or 48, difference being the polar patterns.

Telefunken was the distributor for Neumann for while, and put their badge on them, otherwise exact same mic.

In today's world originals are stupid expensive and hard to keep in factory spec. There are many clones, some REALLY close, some not worth a squat

If we know the studio, we can nail down the potential mic locker choices. I, like others, bring some of my own mics and outboard to sessions if I know who I'm tracking and what material we're doing. Odds of a producer back then doing so with that tasty selection probably a bit less likely though.

 

[chezdeluxe]

I have a collection of vintage microphones including these.

My biggest ever find was a Neumann U47 at a second hand shop. A few weeks later I found the matching power supply and leads at a flea market. It needed restoration and I sold it for a tidy sum to a a German guy in Sydney who was making U47 clones.

 

[Bob Womack]

Bob