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Dirty-South Blues Harp forum: wail on! >
phogi
phogi
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phogi
92 posts
Oct 18, 2009
3:57 AM
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I'm thinking I might build a mic for fun someday.
And, of course, I want to build something of high quality. I already own a 545 (dynamic), and a old ceramic mic, so I figure I should build a crystal element mic. My question: What specs make for a good crystal element? Or, really, for that matter, a ceramic element? What qualities (aside from type) determine the quality (for harmonica mic use)?
I downloaded the mouser catalog, they have mic elements out the wazoo, all for $5 and less. How to choose?
Also, I see some people talking about spending $100+ on an astatic element, and $75 for a certain 'sure' element. Are the relative high cost of these elements due to rarity?
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Kingley
445 posts
Oct 18, 2009
4:10 AM
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"Are the relative high cost of these elements due to rarity?"
Yes that's the reason. The Astatic crystal elements MC151, MC101, MC111 and the ceramic MC127 are no longer made nor are the Shure R7 crystal elements.
There are no crystal/ceramic elements made today that even come close to the sound of the Astatic and Shure crystal/ceramic elements.
The only ones made today are really cheap thin sounding elements that feedback at the drop of a hat.
Shaker and Bluexlab both sell crystal mics with modern elements. But their are both poor sounding mics when compared to an old one.
Greg Heumann can hopefully shed some light on the technical aspects of the elements for you, if you are going to make one.
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OzarkRich
21 posts
Oct 18, 2009
8:03 AM
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I once built a mic in an Astatic JT-30 shell with a volume pot, 1/4in jack, and a Japanese crystal element, all from mouser. It works fine but the tone isn't even on par with the modern Hohner Blues Blaster, let alone my old Astatics. The sound is a bit thin.
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