Hi,
I have an Innertube u87 retrofit. It is a wonderful addition to my armoury. It is a very bright mic, and does not suit many vocalists, although with a few it is truly awe inspiring. It is great for percussion, acoustic gtr, and I love it as a distant room mic. They studio we use for live recording also has one, so I often use a pair.
HOWEVER, it is NOT cheap now the Pound has fallen, and cannot be exported directly from the US into the UK, since it is not RHOS compliant, or I think that is what Wade(?) told me. Please correct me if I am wrong in this. I don't know about Australia. Definitely KEEP your original u87 innards, if you go for the Innertube. You will find it much easier to sell if you ever have to, and you get two very different flavours in the interim.
For your money, I am certain you can get much more if you are prepared to DIY. There are options that do not require much engineering or electronic skills, as well as building from the body up. I have recently purchased an Alctron HS-11a(same as Apex 460, NADY etc. I intend to convert it to something very similar to a C12/251, but with m49 type remote pattern switching using the C12VR conversion circuit posted by Oliver at Klaus's place. I have installed a CT12 (CK12 copy) from Tim Cambell in Denmark. Unbelievably good capsule, and without having done an A/B comparison with an old CK12, effectively the same thing in my mind/ears. Very good value for money too. I swapped out the crappy Chinese 12ax7b tube for a GE 6072 fivestar, reduced the HT to 120V with 2 zener diodes, and it sounds amazing. I intend to change circuit to no cathode follower, and a Haufe T14/1 output transformer. I haven't got time right now, and as I said, it sound great already. Cost so far, £120 for the Alctron, £250 for the capsule, £40 for the transformer that I am not even using, £1 for the zeners, and 15 minutes solder time. So approx £400 for a seriously useful mic. The next stage of conversion is more involved for sure.
It is awesome where i would use a C12 or 251, ie female lead and bv's, percussion, overhead acoustic, etc,
I am certain that you could do something similar with one of Dales 47 capsules, for example, and make something completely different sounding too for minimal effort. if you have the skills, then one of the other projects round here will surely do the trick!
Kindest regards,
ANdyP
And DEFINITELY replace the stock russian 6922 in Innertube retrofit with a decent NOS e88cc, such as a Siemens. I can also recommend a National CCa which is reasonable value, and sounds best of all the different e88cc types I tried in the Innertube mic. (Earlier versions used a 6072 I believe.). Buy a few, and see which one is quietest, and sweetest!