JRL Posted October 4, 2015 Report Share Posted October 4, 2015 Hi all, I've looking at a used mkh50 that I don't know the history of. I'm still very new to location sound so don't know too much about the version history of these mics. Apart from listening to it and seeing the general cosmetic condition, is there anything I should be aware off. Do older versions lose any of their tone over time, or do they have RF issues? If I have the serial number can I check it's age anywhere? I've had a search online but as of yet haven't found anywhere. Any advice appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bash Posted October 4, 2015 Report Share Posted October 4, 2015 avoid stolen ;-) make sure it sounds super creamy - they are one of the best sounding interview mics of all time. kindest sb Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mirror Posted October 4, 2015 Report Share Posted October 4, 2015 (edited) I'll buy used equipment now and again but the one piece of equipment that I'll never buy used is a mic (unless I now the previous owner very, very well). Used mics are not marked off enough to take a gamble. You don't know the history and care that it had and mics, unless they're of the sm58 variety, are fragle. My .02 worth. Edited October 5, 2015 by Mirror punctuation Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CraigF Posted October 4, 2015 Report Share Posted October 4, 2015 you would have to send the s/n to Sennheiser to get age and if it's a fake or not. There should not be any RF issues if the set screw is not missing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jason porter Posted October 4, 2015 Report Share Posted October 4, 2015 All things being equal, if the mic sounds great when you get it, it should continue to sound great. That being said, there are some scumbag people out there... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric Toline Posted October 5, 2015 Report Share Posted October 5, 2015 Sennheiser does not have any MKH 50 S/N records more than 15 years old. That said unless the mic has been thru traumatic damage it will continue to sound the same as new for at least 20 years and most likely much longer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marc Wielage Posted October 5, 2015 Report Share Posted October 5, 2015 There are professional sound dealers -- Location Sound in Burbank is a good example -- where they have a facility to test microphones to determine if they're flat, if they're noisy, or if they're otherwise performing to spec. Sennheiser can also do this, but that would take a lot more time and most likely cost more money. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Constantin Posted October 5, 2015 Report Share Posted October 5, 2015 Sennheiser does not have any MKH 50 S/N records more than 15 years old. that's weird. Is that just the 50 or all mics? I recently asked Neumann about a U47 from 40 years ago, they could tell me everything about it - of course they didn't, but could've Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roundbadge Posted October 5, 2015 Report Share Posted October 5, 2015 (edited) Have it checked. I've bought lots of vintage Neumann's, AKG's etc for my studio over the years.theres always a risk,have somebody look at it. Personally me w/ a 50 I'd likely buy new. They're not that expensive to start with. HC . Edited October 5, 2015 by roundbadge Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RPSharman Posted October 5, 2015 Report Share Posted October 5, 2015 Best indicator for the 50 is whether it has gold or nickel XLR pins. If they're gold, the mic was built after they dramatically improved RF rejection with a new chassis... OR it was an old mic with RF kit upgrade. Less good, but still an improvement. All three of my 50s were bought used. The last was was essentially brand new. The others were from a studio, so in very good condition, but quite old. They still sound beautiful. All of them. And still match each other. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric Toline Posted October 5, 2015 Report Share Posted October 5, 2015 that's weird. Is that just the 50 or all mics? I recently asked Neumann about a U47 from 40 years ago, they could tell me everything about it - of course they didn't, but could've AFAIK it's only the MKH 50 as I had called Sennheiser about mine and that was 5 or so years ago and that was the answer they gave me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JRL Posted October 5, 2015 Author Report Share Posted October 5, 2015 Thanks for all of the above comments, all very helpful. It'll allow me to make a much more informed decision on the purchase and what I should possibly pay for it. The issue for me is it's been owned by a company, hence it may not have been as lovely cared for over the years as I'd expect an individual owner to have. Again, thanks all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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