Neumann U67 #611 (Vintage)

History

The U67 had its origins in the late 1950s, when Neumann was looking to create a successor for its flagship microphone, the U47. The famous VF14 tube, which helped make that magical U47 sound, was being withdrawn from production by Telefunken, and this scenario was the catalyst for the creation of an all-new microphone.

Technological advances had made several improvements possible: Mylar was used for the capsule membrane, (instead of the original PVC), being held in tension by a brass ring instead of glue; an internal cutoff filter and external pad switch helped counteract the proximity effect; a new dual-capsule created an accurate figure-of-eight pickup pattern; a smaller EF86 tube allowed for a slimmer body; and most importantly the overall shape of the microphone changed. Gone was the tubular body of the U47; in its place was a shape that has since become iconic: a tapered head grille (to help reduce capsule resonance), and a tapered body shell (made possible by advances in metal lathe technology). The shape was so unique that Neumann patented the design of the mic.

Having three polar positions made the U67 very versatile, and to top it all off, the mic was designed to be opened up without the use of tools - the bell housing unscrewed, releasing the body shell and the removable head assembly. All in all, the U67 was a dramatic step forward in microphone technology and design for the new decade of the 1960s.

Following their previous practice with the U47, Neumann originally named their new microphone the U-60, since it was created in 1960. This was later changed to the U-67, to show continuity with its parent microphone, the U47. And by the year 1967, the predecessor was no longer manufactured, and the successor reigned supreme as the large diaphragm tube mic of choice for audio professionals worldwide; a condenser mic that can be used on almost any instrument or vocalist with outstanding results.

How about David Ruffin on My Girl and Ain't Too Proud to Beg; a superb vocalist on a superb mic - the Neumann U67.