AMI / Funkenwerk U47 Kits

[jtmotenz]

Hello,

Would anyone here have some insight on the availability of the AMI diy U47 kits? They’ve been backordered for awhile.

I *really* want to build a U47 clone, and this one seems like the best way to go.

I’ve also seen the “vintage microphonepcb.com” kit, but I’d really rather avoid paying and building a PSU for now. Documentation and part sourcing seems a lot more scattered with that kit as well.

There’s also the mic & mod U47 kit, but it strays pretty far from the original schematic.

(When I say original, I’m referring to the alternate tube design made by Oliver)

Anyways, I need a good lead or recommendation. I’m 17 years old and I feel like it’s impossible to properly learn about analog & tube based circuitry in 2024, so I need a good kit to spoon feed my brain until I can start figuring out this shit

Thanks!

 

[Bonnie1]

Hello,

Would anyone here have some insight on the availability of the AMI diy U47 kits? They’ve been backordered for awhile.

I *really* want to build a U47 clone, and this one seems like the best way to go.

I’ve also seen the “vintage microphonepcb.com” kit, but I’d really rather avoid paying and building a PSU for now. Documentation and part sourcing seems a lot more scattered with that kit as well.

There’s also the mic & mod U47 kit, but it strays pretty far from the original schematic.

(When I say original, I’m referring to the alternate tube design made by Oliver)

Anyways, I need a good lead or recommendation. I’m 17 years old and I feel like it’s impossible to properly learn about analog & tube based circuitry in 2024, so I need a good kit to spoon feed my brain until I can start figuring out this shit

Thanks!

Hello jtmotenz,
It's best to reach out to AMI/Tab directly. The website states backordered due to the nickel plating vendor, (a family business in operation for 103 yrs. closed). AMI/Tab has been using a few different plating vendors and so far the consistency and reliability is too problematic to remove "backordered" from the website.
-dennis M.

 

[RuudNL]

IMHO the microphone capsule is responsible for 90% of the sound.
The remaining 10% can be divided between the output transformer and the tube.
I have heard an A/B comparison between a 'vintage' U47 (With the "magic" VF14 tube) and a modern version with an EFxx tube. If you really want to hear a difference, maybe you will hear it.
But I am sure that in a mix they would sound identical...

 

[jtmotenz]

IMHO the microphone capsule is responsible for 90% of the sound.
The remaining 10% can be divided between the output transformer and the tube.
I have heard an A/B comparison between a 'vintage' U47 (With the "magic" VF14 tube) and a modern version with an EFxx tube. If you really want to hear a difference, maybe you will hear it.
But I am sure that in a mix they would sound identical...

Interesting. I figured this may be the case. I’ll prioritize capsule and TX, and then maybe I’ll experiment with retrofitting other tubes with whatever circuit I end up with.