The Mic Behind the Voice: Neumann U 47 fet Bon Scott Edition

On 9 July 2026, what would have been Bon Scott’s 80th birthday, Neumann unveiled the U 47 fet Bon Scott Edition, a limited-run microphone made in partnership with the Bon Scott Estate. It celebrates the voice, and the mic that captured it.

The mic behind the voice

In the 1970s, producers Harry Vanda and George Young needed a microphone that could stand up to Bon’s raw, gritty delivery without losing any of its bite. They settled on the Neumann U 47 fet, and it became Bon’s main vocal mic on early AC/DC records including Let There Be Rock. As Vanda put it, the U 47 fet let Bon’s voice “sit best with the guitars.”

Only 300 made

• Limited edition: 300 units worldwide, each one individually numbered
• The look: a matte black finish with bold Bon Scott graphics, plus Bon’s name and signature on the body
• The box: an exclusive black wooden case and a collector’s booklet featuring an interview with Harry Vanda
• The sound: identical to Neumann’s current U 47 fet, the studio classic first introduced in 1972 and brought back in 2014. It handles up to 137 dB SPL, or 147 dB with the pad engaged, so it’s ready for a singer who never held back

Giving back

Neumann and Bon’s family are donating a portion of the proceeds to Support Act, the Australian charity that provides crisis relief and mental health support to music workers.

Where to find one

In the US, the U 47 fet Bon Scott Edition is available exclusively through Sweetwater and Guitar Center. Elsewhere, check with your local Neumann dealer. With only 300 made, they won’t be around for long.

See it at Neumann