Hi all, here's another mic building video from yours truly. This time, I was inspired by Jawbones awesome DIY mics that used a metal fencepost cap as the shell. My version is slightly different than his (see the other mic building thread for pictures of his) because I was limited to what was available at my local Home Despot (ibid). Price for the shell components was about $3, and I'd rate the difficulty in construction to be about 5 out 10 due to the amount of milling one has to do to get the two halves to mate properly. I'm so thrilled with the outcome though, that I have half a thought to make a few for sale. Pricing would depend on the element: I'd probably sell one with a Kobitone High-Z ceramic element for around $30 US (that'd be about $15 dollars "profit" for me). I could paint em and put on a clear coat for a little extra of course. If anyone is interested let me know, it might help me make up my mind if I should "go for it" or not. If I did this, it would have to be after I get back from fieldwork in Jordan the middle of July.
You keep teasin' me Issac - my stupid dial up is too slow to watch youtube!! Could you still find the type of post cap I had or has it been discontinued? I haven't looked for awhile. You may have to find a fence installation company that has some left over. As soon as I get to a high speed computer I'll have a good look at these. ---------- If it ain't got harp - it ain't really blues!!!!
i have a ruskin mic, built into a motorcycle tail light bezel. it's the same size as say a green or brown bullet and weighs about half of one. for some reason i like a metal shell better. ted crocker made me a nice mic from a fence post a few years ago, is that what you're referring to issac? i rarely take it out of the house, to me it's more a work of art.
@jawbone: I wasn't able to find the kind of fence post that you used. Home Despot only has shallower, more "round" ones. However, when coupled with the other part (a 2" black PVC end cap), it makes a really cool shape. A sort of cylinder with a rounded end. I'm really digging the shape.
@greg: Yeah, jawbone is right. These things are LIGHT! The fence post caps are cast of 3/16" thick alumnium. The mic I built is also half PVC, so it's probably 1/8th the weight of a traditional steel bullet mic shell. ---------- -------------- The magnificent YouTube channel of the internet user known as "isaacullah"
Hey Issac - I was afraid they had discontinued them. They guy at home depot told me that when they have "that" code number it means they are going out of stock - darn - I should have grabbed a bunch more - I keep watching all these new track light systems - they have some interesting shapes - now I just have to wait til styles change and grab 'em up at yard sales!!! Fence Installers may have some old stock. ---------- If it ain't got harp - it ain't really blues!!!!
Hey Round Here is the Apex website - http://www.apexelectronics.com/ I had dragged all that info out - now I can't find it!!!! But I think it was the cartridge for the 351 or 381, I know the cartridge was about $7 Canadian about 4 or 5 years ago. I phoned them and talked to a sales rep., got the info, then had to order it thru a music store that they deal with. They may talk to you they may not, I know the guy I talked to wanted to tell me about all the technology that goes into building a mic and that I couldn't do it myself but I told him they didn't build the type of mic I wanted and that I was experimenting. Good luck, if I find that darn info I'll pass it on. ---------- If it ain't got harp - it ain't really blues!!!!
I finally got around to trying this. I attempted to use an old soldering iron (no temp control and large tip) and toasted my pot and element (as well as burned the sole of my shoe - don't ask). This led me to simply ordering a pre-made mic kit from Dave "Technobird" Wren.
http://www.harpmicshop.com/servlet/Categories
I talked to Dave as well. Nice guy & great service.
I am very pleased with the sound I get.
The parts are very similar to Isaac's. PVC cap and small metal fence post cap. I used a PVC reducer, reaming out a seat for the crystal element, to bring the parts together. I used my dremel to remove the lip from the reducer. I used silicon sealant to glue the element in. Screen is from my daughters Karaoke mic.
Looks great Rpoe! I checked out that site: $26.99 for a fully assembled element/pot/jack kit is a great deal! I like the finished product that you came up with: the paint job is great! Congrats and a fine job! :)
How is the sound? ie. is it "High and tight", "punchy and focused", or "low and dirty"?
Thanks Isaac. For the comments and inspiration to do it.
I'm really not much of a gear-head yet. Have plenty of work to do acoustically. I only have a Roland MicroCube amp to play it through (and a Smokey Amp).
Comparing my DIY Crystal to my Crystal Shaker Mic:
It's not as bright sounding as the Shaker. Plenty of volume. I can dial in "punchy & focused" or "low and dirty" (to me). I really like the way mine feels in my hand........ :-)
I am very curious to play through a small tube amp. Been keeping my eye on ebay & Craigslist for one.
Great! Well, with that review of the tone, and the comparison with the shaker Crystal, I think that you have made a great discovery for a cheap and fairly easy way to make your own really nice sounding, nice looking mic without having to solder anything! Awesome! ---------- ------------------ The magnificent YouTube channel of the internet user known as "isaacullah"
