How much is VF14 tube worth these days?

[anjing]

A close friend of mine got this VF14, the M version. It is the spare of a u47 with the Telefunken badge.
How much do you guys think it's worth and were is the best place to sell it?

Thanks!

Pierre

 

[Dr Gris]

I could use a spare, so you could sell it here to me, how about a $100?  8) 8)

//M

 

[thermionic]

Unless you can engage a respected mic specialist to test it and vouch for its condition (I'm assuming this would cost...) you will need to show as much documentation to prove its condition as possible. You want documented evidence from either a decent tube tester (say, an AVO CVM163) or computerised curve tracer / tester, with the valve shown connected, delivering the reported specification. There is also microphonics to think about... The forum's resident mic experts can weigh in on how you test for that - I'm guessing a simple flick of the finger's a little crude for a VF14!

In short, the value will be hugley dependent on how well you can prove its condition and, indeed, whether it is in good condition. VF14Ms are so rare that people will take a bet and pay a few hundred dollars for a non-descript one. If you can prove it's strong, not leaky and with low microphonics, you'll get top dollar - I'd imagine $2,000+

edit - the short answer:

a) You find a recognised expert to vouch for its quality

b) You can prove / show to buyer that it's been subject to a large battery of tests, demonstrating its quality

c) You don't bother with either of above, stick it on an auction site and see what happens...

 

[anjing]

Unless you can engage a respected mic specialist to test it and vouch for its condition (I'm assuming this would cost...) you will need to show as much documentation to prove its condition as possible. You want documented evidence from either a decent tube tester (say, an AVO CVM163) or computerised curve tracer / tester, with the valve shown connected, delivering the reported specification. There is also microphonics to think about... The forum's resident mic experts can weigh in on how you test for that - I'm guessing a simple flick of the finger's a little crude for a VF14!

In short, the value will be hugley dependent on how well you can prove its condition and, indeed, whether it is in good condition. VF14Ms are so rare that people will take a bet and pay a few hundred dollars for a non-descript one. If you can prove it's strong, not leaky and with low microphonics, you'll get top dollar - I'd imagine $2,000+

edit - the short answer:

a) You find a recognised expert to vouch for its quality

b) You can prove / show to buyer that it's been subject to a large battery of tests, demonstrating its quality

c) You don't bother with either of above, stick it on an auction site and see what happens...

I'm gonna forward that info...I guess testing is the way to go.

Thank's for the info!

Pierre

 

[thermionic]

To say you're entering shark infested waters would be an understatement. Beware that many of the supposed experts will have an agenda.

You could try emailing Oliver Archut and seeing if he has any basic advice for you - but bear in mind he's in the USA (and has a large workload, so may not be speedy to get back to you): http://www.tab-funkenwerk.com/id30.html He's an honest guy, though - and a recognised expert.

 

[ricardo]

As the purpose of the exercise isn't to make a mike but to flog it, just put it on eBay with a reserve.

You've already got an offer of $100 so it can only get better 

Oh!  And dream up a story (for buyers nasty enough to ask questions) about how its been tested by Virgins etc

 

[r2d2]

do you know the year of production about the vf14 ?

 

[SSLtech]

$150 is my final offer.

8)

 

[anjing]

do you know the year of production about the vf14 ?

I know it's as old has the microphone wich is a telefunken badged u47.
The body of the mic itself is not very cosmetic but the inside if pretty clean.
I will ask him more info about the mic's history.

We did try the tubes(the one in the mic and the spare) and both sounds like they should.
But my guess is that someone wanting to buy a tube with this price tag would want's more then just it sound good.
The reason i asked is to know how it's done properly and i have trust in peoples opinion on this board.
I want to thank everyone for the tips!

$150 is my final offer.

8)

 

[Kingston]

 

[SSLtech]

;D      ;D   

 

[r2d2]

.... if i'm not "wrong" ....
for produce  the original vf14 in the 40" years ...
was also used an atomic process
today prohibited....

and that would make a significant difference in terms of sound
peace
O.

 

[Pip]

Unless your friend is desperate for money I would hold onto that bad boy for dear life. You are never going to see another one. I have spares for all my mics just in case. These things are tools and they need to have reliability. I would say your friend has one of the most reliable U47's on the planet, one with a spare. If he ever goes to sell the mic guess what, he has a mic that is worth that much more, why, it's got a spare!