Topic: Schoeps Reconditioning

[hi and lo]

Hi All,

I'm would like to know more about sending Schoeps gear back to the factory for reconditioning. I recently contacted Redding Audio and was sent a PDF with details regarding shipping and timing, but could not be given even a vague estimate as to costs. Who has gone through this process before and what can I expect? Can anyone give me rough numbers in terms of costs for a basic cleaning, minor cosmetic touch-ups (i.e. a new Nextel body), or even a complete rebuild?

In my specific situation, I have a pair of late '90s mk4v's and am considering sending them in for a checkup. I know Schoeps caps in general are extremely durable and I'm probably being overly caution, but it would still be nice to have a clean bill of health and a cleaning if economically reasonable.

Dsatz... I'm looking in your direction

Thanks in advance!

[NOLAfishwater]

contact Bernhard Vollmer at Schoeps directly. He can give you an approximate cost of repairs.

[NOLAfishwater]

general questions:  mailbox@schoeps.de
Berhard directly: vollmer@schoeps.de

[jlykos]

I dropped one of my Gefell capsules and sent it back to the factory in Germany for a repair yesterday.  I don't know how comparable the Schoeps and Gefell pricing is, but they are charging me 40 Euro to take a look at the capsule, plus 60 Euro for the metal grill on top.  If the membrane was damaged, I can add 150 Euro on top of that for the membrane.  I also had to send in the other capsule for them to match the two capsules when they were finished with it; that is another 40 Euro for them to take a look at the non-damaged capsule.  Shipping on DHL from Bamako is around 50 Euro each way.

I certainly learned my lesson to change mic capsules over the bed and not over the floor.

[DSatz]

Hello, hi and lo (and greetings to mid as well, if he's anywhere around). Sorry to say, I can never predict what repairs at Schoeps are going to cost. It depends on what needs to be done, which they can't know until they disassemble your particular microphone or capsule. I also have to admit that I couldn't estimate a reliable average of the charges I've paid for capsule repairs; I'm a terrible businessman. I do send my repairs in through Redding Audio, though, to save on shipping and insurance costs, and I strongly recommend that approach.

But is there anything that leads you to suspect a problem with your MK 4V capsules? They shouldn't need any routine maintenance after a mere 10 years; try again in another decade or so. Of course if they've been dropped hard, or if liquids or dust have gotten into them, or if they make a rattling sound when you shake them, that's another story.

Only the three-pattern (MK 6) capsules, which they no longer manufacture, require regular maintenance as such. I happen to own four of those which were built in the 1970s; a trip to the Black Forest every 10 to 15 years has seemed to suffice for them. The majority of my other two dozen Schoeps capsules are over 20 years old by now, but I only send them in for checkup if I have some particular reason to suspect that they may need repair.

--best regards

[Colin Liston]

I dropped one of my Gefell capsules and sent it back to the factory in Germany for a repair yesterday.  I don't know how comparable the Schoeps and Gefell pricing is, but they are charging me 40 Euro to take a look at the capsule, plus 60 Euro for the metal grill on top.  If the membrane was damaged, I can add 150 Euro on top of that for the membrane.  I also had to send in the other capsule for them to match the two capsules when they were finished with it; that is another 40 Euro for them to take a look at the non-damaged capsule.  Shipping on DHL from Bamako is around 50 Euro each way.

I certainly learned my lesson to change mic capsules over the bed and not over the floor.

Can you send me the address for Gefell repair?  I need them to take a look at one of mine.

[midside]

Hi to all,
To DSatz, I think you were saying hi to me when you said 'mid'.
But either way, hello to you

Back to the original post:
Just call redding, they will try to look up a similar repair to give you an idea.  If they don't know, they'll contact Schoeps for a quote and get back to you.

But, I wouldn't call these 'extremely durable' at all.  Sure, they last, but it ain't a hammer!

[stevetoney]

Hi to all,
To DSatz, I think you were saying hi to me when you said 'mid'.
But either way, hello to you

Back to the original post:
Just call redding, they will try to look up a similar repair to give you an idea.  If they don't know, they'll contact Schoeps for a quote and get back to you.

But, I wouldn't call these 'extremely durable' at all.  Sure, they last, but it ain't a hammer!

Midside...perhaps you could obtain an estimate using the methods you've described, but I don't think you can get a quote without Schoeps actually having your gear in hand, which means shipping it to Germany. 

When I obtained an RMA number from Redding in anticipation of sending some gear overseas this spring, there were specific instructions on getting a quote.  The instructions stated that a quote will only be made if they are able to look at the gear so they can specifically determine what needs to be done.  You have to pay I think $95, which is non-refundable if you choose not to have the work done.  If you choose to have the work done, the $95 fee is waived (or I suppose you could say it's built into the cost of the repair) since obviously they would have had to do a diagnosis in order to do the repair anyway.

[H₂O]

If you need repair go through Redding and pick the group shipping option. Redding will either ship individually or ship with a batch of gear they do once a month or so.  If you go the monthly route the shipping is very reasonable otherwise it the shipping is pretty high - you may not have your caps for 3 months or so - take this into account.


IMO Schoeps repair prices are pretty reasonable though.


Also as DSatz says it's pretty rare that have issues so make sure that there is an issue.


If your just looking for cosmetic touchups then it may cost a little more than it's worth as alot of work could be involved just to make the caps look cleaner - may be sell your current set and hunt for a more pristine used set for a little more.
 

[stevetoney]

If your just looking for cosmetic touchups then it may cost a little more than it's worth as alot of work could be involved just to make the caps look cleaner - may be sell your current set and hunt for a more pristine used set for a little more.

I guess it depends on what one considers reasonable cost.  I just sent a somewhat beat up MK41 overseas for a new outer shell.  Schoeps put a new shell on it, gave it a check up, and replaced the handwritten baseplate with the newer white silk-screened baseplate.  Total cost was $150 including shipping and the capsule came back looking virtually brand new.  I thought it was worth it.

[midside]

I've been on both sides of the fence when it comes to the result of Schoeps' service.
Sometimes, I feel they are VERY reasonable.
But other times....I've been like....huh?
For instance, I sent in a GVC that seemed like it just needed the right threaded end piece on the joint.
They ended up replacing the whole body and charged me very close to the price of a new one.
I thought it would end up being $80-$100, but I think they charged me $250-$300, I'd have to look up the receipt for the exact amount.
On the other hand, I think they fixed a broken dial in a CUT1 I had for under $125 or so.

[yug du nord]

I guess it depends on what one considers reasonable cost.  I just sent a somewhat beat up MK41 overseas for a new outer shell.  Schoeps put a new shell on it, gave it a check up, and replaced the handwritten baseplate with the newer white silk-screened baseplate.  Total cost was $150 including shipping and the capsule came back looking virtually brand new.  I thought it was worth it.

How long did this take in total time?

[stevetoney]

I guess it depends on what one considers reasonable cost.  I just sent a somewhat beat up MK41 overseas for a new outer shell.  Schoeps put a new shell on it, gave it a check up, and replaced the handwritten baseplate with the newer white silk-screened baseplate.  Total cost was $150 including shipping and the capsule came back looking virtually brand new.  I thought it was worth it.

How long did this take in total time?

Almost exactly what they said...six weeks.  The six week estimate of time for return is from the time the package goes out from Redding.  They told me that it can take between one and two months for Redding to get enough gear from customers to assemble a shipment to Germany.  So, if you happen to send you gear in just following the time that they sent a shipment in, it could be 2 to 3 months.  Best to call them and ask when their next shipment is expected to be and then calibrate being without your gear based on that. 

One could ship direct to Germany on their own, but the shipping and insurance cost is exorbitant.

[DSatz]

Not only is individual shipping more expensive if you're in the U.S., but when you send your own stuff in, you also have to pay all repair and shipping charges to Schoeps in Euros before they'll release your repaired items.

Also, the way German customs works, if your paperwork on the way in isn't just right, there can be weeks of delay in clearing your stuff to go to the factory.

[midside]

The best way is for sure to go through Redding.
I only send stuff in if I can live without it for 3 months.
Then, I use the 'send it and forget it' method.
Sooner or later you will be reminded through Redding and you will smile