Just to add my two cents...
I do not own any super expensive or beautiful mics like a real U47, C12, etc... However I have had experience recording with many classic tube mics including original and reissue C12's, all original U47's, M50's, and ElaM 251's. I also just modded a 460ish Mic, it's actually a Pacific Pro Audio mic. (and have a youtube instructional video coming soon, and will provide a link to an AIFF shoot out before and after).
This is what I have to say on the matter... I think an original U47 or ElaM 251 is worth every cent you would pay for one. However after using the modded 460, I would not trade mine for a C12... Well unless we are talking from an investment standpoint and then I would sell the C12 and buy a bunch of 460's and mod them! lol... Given I have never been a huge fan of the C12. To my ears the 460 is actually smoother in the top end than the C12. It may not be as punchy or clear as a C12, but it is smoother and warmer to my ears. I will note I didn't do the cinemag mod, but instead got a T14 cloned transformer from Peluso who I guess gets them custom made.
I think comparing a U47 and a Apex 460 is a bad idea to begin with... After all the 460 is based off the C12 and not off the U47. Also I think it was a valid point made that none of these mics are really "better" than the other, because it all depends on the sound source you are recording. For example a U47 is not a "better" mic for recording snare drum than a shure sm57. So price doesn't really matter, what matters is the application. After all these mics are all just paint colors to paint a sonic canvas.
Oh, on the non-tube side I do own a TLM103. It is a solid mic and I love it in some applications, but not in others. I have always loved it for Acoustic guitar, because it has a beautiful tone in that application. I also have used it as a mono drum overhead with great results. However I never was satisfied with it's sound on vocals (neither male nor female). I will say between the TLM103 and the modded 460, I will always be reaching for the 460 without a second thought.
It sounds like what you are searching for is a solid all around mic to add to your cabinet without breaking the bank. For that I would get 2 460's and mod them with peluso capsules, the peluso T14, and matched NOS tubes. If you want to be adventurous change out the caps too, and remove the unnecessary parts... Hell maybe even go into the power supplies and exchange some parts for higher quality and maybe get a nicer cable. All of that would probably run you the cost of a TLM 103, and certainly far cheaper than any tube neumann. I promise you will not be upset with your choice.
People want to knock the 460's because of the price point, and generally not because of their ears. Keep in mind the circuit is almost exactly the same as the C12 (or is it just half of the C24 I can't remember). Either way the design is solid, it's just the parts that suck. Change those out and you will have a hell of a mic for a hell of a price.
I am already planning on making a second one soon, before I start my next build... Which is either going to be a G7 or a design I am working on based off of the Sela T12. Then following both of those is going to be my quest for the Holy Grail in building an exact U47 replica which I have already started buying and sourcing parts for... Down to the original capacitors used in the circuit. I think I sourced the project to right around 4-5k (that's with a VF14 replica, the price will jump when I finally get a real one).
I think the most satisfying part of modding a mic is the knowledge that you played a part in crafting the sound of the mic. That alone puts a value on the mic which goes beyond money.
I tracked with the 460 all weekend. I did a track with 14 percussion parts all of which had the 460 on it. I was expecting to have to EQ and compress things to be able to make them all fit together. Instead I ended up with a beautiful tapestry of sound and don't think the final mix will have any EQ on the current tracks recorded. They all have that beautiful rounded warm feeling to them which I haven't been able to obtain outside of a recording studio until now. The sound is reminding me of Andrew Bird records or Ugly Casanova... It's got a very warm sound to the percussion. The track when finished will also be posted on my youtube channel as I have been videotaping every part being recorded (and will edit them into one cohesive video).
Sorry for rambling, but since I have just experienced all of this recently I felt like sharing!
-Grant
