Neumann / Church U47 #002 (Vintage)

Very rare microphone, with original Neumann PSU, GE 6072 tube, and an K47 capsule. One of the nicest we've seen, with no major alterations. Serial number is for ID purposes only; Church mics do not have serial numbers on them.


Stanley Church was the chief sound engineer for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer in the mid 1950s. He purchased a number of M7 capsules and grilles from Gotham Audio, the Neumann distributor for the US, and built his own custom-made version of the famed U47 tube condenser mic. The 'Church' mic was meant for exclusive use on the MGM soundstages, and to that end it has a smaller body and different shockmount system than a U47, custom made by the MGM machine shop. Used on all the great musicals from MGM in the late 50s and early 60s. If you liked Sinatra's singing in the musical 'High Society', that was a Church mic. One of them also appears on the cover of "The Concert Sinatra" album, one of Frank's greatest recordings with bandleader Nelson Riddle.

A set of three Church U47's were famously used by Everest Records in the early 60s to record classical music on their 35mm magnetic film series. Still treasured today for their incredible sound fidelity, the sound of these early mono and stereo (3 track) recordings were due in large part to the use of the Church mics. After Everest changed management, they sold their equipment to Bob Fine & co., and these mics were later used for the 'Command Classics' series of recordings as well.

Somewhere along the line, this custom microphone was dubbed the "CineMic", but it is doubtful that Mr. Church referred to it by this name. The mic has a unique high-voltage circuit which, combined with the GE 6072 tube, gives it a sound all its own.

The total number of these mics that were manufactured is unknown, but is certainly no more than 200, as Mr. Church was only able to purchase that many parts before Neumann discovered what he was doing, and promptly stopped sending him components. Legend has it that Gotham refused to sell Neumann parts to engineers in the U.S. for 30 years because of what Stanley was up to!