1:1 U47/48 Body Clone

[GeorgeToledo]

What are the currently existing sources for a 1:1 clone of the U47 body? I know of FLEA. AMI has also had full clone bodies at various times.

Any others?

Relatedly, do any of the many clone bodies that lack the mechanical switching at the headbasket, have a full size connector? I believe Beesneez has had something like this, AMI as well. Any more?

 

[gyraf]

Hi George,

..from what I've seen, the flea seems to be closest to the authentic...

/Jakob E.

 

[Delta Sigma]

Dany's?

 

[ZHOUJUN]

The cost of the U47 housing and connector molds is very expensive. I think only FLEA can completely copy it now.

 

[johnsonic]

I have Dany's and it's very well made

 

[soliloqueen]

My friend runs a t&d shop that might be able to make the parts in small batches & the basket could probably be pressed using a short-use 3d printed form. if someone got me a sample I could quote doing it in person here in my workshop.

 

[OneRoomStudio]

My friend runs a t&d shop that might be able to make the parts in small batches & the basket could probably be pressed using a short-use 3d printed form. if someone got me a sample I could quote doing it in person here in my workshop.

That would definitely be interesting to see, but as others have mentioned, Dany (@poctop) already makes great 1:1 U47 and U48 mechanicals (there are some good pictures here: https://www.instagram.com/poctop/p/B-xoUOrhF2T/).

It would be really interesting to see a 1:1 M251 body though! I don't know of any on the market currently.

 

[Recording Engineer]

Last I looked (when first available), Dany was only selling a complete microphone kit with his body. Is that still not the case?

 

[soliloqueen]

It would be really interesting to see a 1:1 M251 body though! I don't know of any on the market currently.

it's hard to find empty originals tbh, people don't want to take the electronics out and re-insert them, it's risky and cumbersome

 

[GeorgeToledo]

That would definitely be interesting to see, but as others have mentioned, Dany (@poctop) already makes great 1:1 U47 and U48 mechanicals (there are some good pictures here: https://www.instagram.com/poctop/p/B-xoUOrhF2T/).

It would be really interesting to see a 1:1 M251 body though! I don't know of any on the market currently.

The plastic inner stuff is sort of a black hole. The originals had a habit of cracking.

Sneezby says whatever he is doing for plastics won’t crack.

It winds up being one of these things where you don’t necessarily want to replicate what AKG actually did, but if you don’t, it becomes “different”.

Upton just uses a regular circuit board approach.

I wonder if FLEA would offer their body as a kit, maybe after their mic has been on sale longer. Speaking of FLEA, I wish they had brought the CMV563 style kit that was on their site for awhile to market, it looked fantastic. Really nice body work, in general.

 

[soliloqueen]

The plastic inner stuff is sort of a black hole. The originals had a habit of cracking.

Sneezby says whatever he is doing for plastics won’t crack.

It winds up being one of these things where you don’t necessarily want to replicate what AKG actually did, but if you don’t, it becomes “different”.

Upton just uses a regular circuit board approach.

I wonder if FLEA would offer their body as a kit, maybe after their mic has been on sale longer. Speaking of FLEA, I wish they had brought the CMV563 style kit that was on their site for awhile to market, it looked fantastic. Really nice body work, in general.

there are lots of modern insulating plastics that don't have cracking issues, but they aren't clear. they're all opaque. i feel like people get upset about the aesthetics of parts that go inside the microphone that you'll never see.

 

[GeorgeToledo]

there are lots of modern insulating plastics that don't have cracking issues, but they aren't clear. they're all opaque. i feel like people get upset about the aesthetics of parts that go inside the microphone that you'll never see.

I think the popularity of the 251 is very aesthetics driven.

(Looks inside 251… “I think I’ve seen vintage plastic bongs with less cracks than this thing!”.)

I prefer a C12 and the optional ovaloid windscreen, with the ability to use or not use it, as far as related systems go.

Internet recording forums seem to be having a 251 era. They do look cool and can sound great.

—

The main thing that possessed the original question, is that I have had a Neumann K49 that I think I might like to do something with during the coming months. Maybe I will think of something more original than U47 or M49 though.