I purchased a pair of U87-style bodies from a bloke on eBay. Very nice. They have a neutral Grey-silver-beige flat, matte metallic finish. The body tube is heavy and substantial. It is approximately 100mm long, 47 mm ID at the top, and 42 mm ID at the bottom. The body is well damped from annoying microphonic vibration when fully assembled.
The stamped metal internal frame is nicely fabricated and fairly sturdy, with a U-shaped beam on opposite sides. The useful internal mounting space is approximately 90 mm long (actually measures total 100mm, but I allow some space at each end to accommodate components without crowding). It measures 43 -45 mm across at the top, and 40 mm across at the bottom. PCB mounting holes are approximately 60mm from the bottom, with approximately 30 mm above. Tapped mounting holes are approximately 32-33 mm on center. For reference, mounting holes on the popular JLI OPA Alice boards are approximately 30-30.5 mm on center, so one must either drill additional holes or enlarge the existing holes to mount those boards on this frame. Your mileage with other boards may vary.
The U-shaped uprights easily accommodate mounting PCBs on either or both sides. A standard/common size capsule saddle that accommodates 32-34mm large condenser capsules adorns the top plate. The bottom ring which holds an XLR connector is heavy duty and nicely chromed. The body has a blunt key that aligns with a groove in the base ring so it only goes together one way. The base ring mounts to the two frame uprights with two screws per side, respectively. Similarly, the uprights mount to the top plate (which holds the head basket and mic saddle) with two pairs of screws. It is, therefore, conceivable one could shorten the internal frame, drill new mounting holes, and customize its length. I am unsure why one would do this, but one generally favors more, than fewer, possibilities in life.
The head basket and grille are painted same as the body. The head basket is approximately 50mm wide at the base where it mounts to the internal frame. There is approximately 60mm useful space inside the grille. The grille has at least two layers of metal mesh. The layer with the lager gauge mesh is on the inside, which may be atypical for large condenser microphones in general.
Total length is approximately 205 mm.
Photos depict the actual item(s) I purchased, taken in my ersatz home photo “studio.” (A man needs a hobby, right?)
THE GOOD: Very nice, even finish. Matte finish does not reflect hot spots from lights. It seems to reject oily finger prints, although time will tell how durable it is. Grille is painted the same as the body, so it has a very nice, uniform appearance top to bottom. The internal frame is medium duty, yet adequate to the task with minimum burs and rough spots left over from the manufacturing process. Overall fit and finish very good. My young bride liked the first one so much, she suggested (authorized?) the purchase of a second. I am very pleased with these bodies.
THE NOT SO GOOD: The Seller only had two left for sale.
NOTE: Seller reports this is the same item on AliExpress.com:
https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256805792424661.html
________________
James
________________
Edit 1: Correct multiple measurement reporting errors.
Disclaimer: Measurements are approximate and subject to gross misstatement. Kudos to Mr. @pmfalcman for bringing the same to my attention. / JHR /
The stamped metal internal frame is nicely fabricated and fairly sturdy, with a U-shaped beam on opposite sides. The useful internal mounting space is approximately 90 mm long (actually measures total 100mm, but I allow some space at each end to accommodate components without crowding). It measures 43 -45 mm across at the top, and 40 mm across at the bottom. PCB mounting holes are approximately 60mm from the bottom, with approximately 30 mm above. Tapped mounting holes are approximately 32-33 mm on center. For reference, mounting holes on the popular JLI OPA Alice boards are approximately 30-30.5 mm on center, so one must either drill additional holes or enlarge the existing holes to mount those boards on this frame. Your mileage with other boards may vary.
The U-shaped uprights easily accommodate mounting PCBs on either or both sides. A standard/common size capsule saddle that accommodates 32-34mm large condenser capsules adorns the top plate. The bottom ring which holds an XLR connector is heavy duty and nicely chromed. The body has a blunt key that aligns with a groove in the base ring so it only goes together one way. The base ring mounts to the two frame uprights with two screws per side, respectively. Similarly, the uprights mount to the top plate (which holds the head basket and mic saddle) with two pairs of screws. It is, therefore, conceivable one could shorten the internal frame, drill new mounting holes, and customize its length. I am unsure why one would do this, but one generally favors more, than fewer, possibilities in life.
The head basket and grille are painted same as the body. The head basket is approximately 50mm wide at the base where it mounts to the internal frame. There is approximately 60mm useful space inside the grille. The grille has at least two layers of metal mesh. The layer with the lager gauge mesh is on the inside, which may be atypical for large condenser microphones in general.
Total length is approximately 205 mm.
Photos depict the actual item(s) I purchased, taken in my ersatz home photo “studio.” (A man needs a hobby, right?)
THE GOOD: Very nice, even finish. Matte finish does not reflect hot spots from lights. It seems to reject oily finger prints, although time will tell how durable it is. Grille is painted the same as the body, so it has a very nice, uniform appearance top to bottom. The internal frame is medium duty, yet adequate to the task with minimum burs and rough spots left over from the manufacturing process. Overall fit and finish very good. My young bride liked the first one so much, she suggested (authorized?) the purchase of a second. I am very pleased with these bodies.
THE NOT SO GOOD: The Seller only had two left for sale.
NOTE: Seller reports this is the same item on AliExpress.com:
https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256805792424661.html
________________
James
________________
Edit 1: Correct multiple measurement reporting errors.
Disclaimer: Measurements are approximate and subject to gross misstatement. Kudos to Mr. @pmfalcman for bringing the same to my attention. / JHR /
Last edited:
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