If the price is too good to be true, it probably is. When in doubt, email a photo of the serial and the internals to Neumann support for a direct authentication.
Once you have verified the number, you have a few action items: check neumann serial number
: Neumann can provide the specific year of manufacture and any recorded service history linked to that serial number. If the price is too good to be true, it probably is
| Microphone Model | Serial Number Range | Approximate Year of Manufacture | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | | 10000 – 30000 | 1967 – 1975 (Original) | | | 30000 – 70000 | 1976 – 1985 | | | 70000 – 150000 | 1986 – 2000 | | | 150000+ | 2001 – Present | | TLM 103 | 5000 – 15000 | 1997 – 2004 | | | 15000 – 100000 | 2005 – 2015 | | | 100000+ | 2016 – Present | | U 47 (Vintage) | 1 – 500 | 1949 – 1954 | | | 500 – 1500 | 1955 – 1960 | | Note: If you see a U47 with #6000, it is 100% fake. | | Microphone Model | Serial Number Range |
If you are the original owner, the serial number is linked to your warranty registration. If you are buying used, a serial number check can reveal if the unit has been stolen or if it has had official service history at Neumann’s service centers (like Sennheiser).