Here is a reply I got from joe at Shaker regarding a complaint I made about the sound I got from the Retro Rocket crystal element High Z mic...maybe its me?? but thanks to Joe for a detailed and concerned reply
Hello Nick, Shaker Microphone here. In answer, we really don't know what to say, we've never had anybody say the Retro Rocket sounds tinny and harsh. But it is true, sound is subjective. What we like or you like, someone else dislikes. There are hundreds of great blues players using the RR microphone, and love it. Maybe we can give a suggestion as far as setup on the amp. Since we talk with a lot of players and know what they do, it might help. The RR has almost double the frequency range of traditional bullet mics. It generates to almost 11,000 HZ, This allows the player to capture the 2nd & 3rd harmonic structure. Traditional bullet mics range goes up to approx 6,000 HZ. So most RR players have the ability of turning the treble on their amp way down, and using the mid range to establish a sweet spot. FYI: you can always remove treble, but you can't add it. If you traditionally use a dynamic mic, there is tremendous difference in tonal character. The RR replicates the true Chicago electric blues tonality, which by definition is very agressive and harsh. This is due to the crystal elements characteristics. Check out our web site for soundbytes using the RR, played by Ron Sunshine. He gets great tone. Also, on our web site, the endorsor page, is HARPER. A player from Australia, who uses the RR exclusively. You can click right on his web site. www.shakermicrophone.net
his last 2 CD's were done with the mic you now own.
Personally I myself go to a gig with all my mics, that's the cool thing is having different tonalities for different songs. I'm very fortunate to own quite a few harp amps. But my basic rig is a 1958 Dan Electro Centurian, about 18 watts, with my dynamic Shaker and the RR, as you have. This pretty much covers all kinds of possibilities. I hope this helps. We don't have a return policy once a mic is sold. I can only say, if the amp advice I gave you doesn't help, then put the mic on ebay, sell it, maybe sell it to another harp player you know, and buy yourself our Mad Dog Shaker. It's got that big, fat, thick, creamy tone you seem to want. It's very "Butterfieldish", if you know what I mean. We have 6 models, and each one has its own tone and flavor, you just simply may have purchased the high output hot crystal tonish mic that wasn't what you expected. You needed more info on all the models we offer. We appreciate your e-mail, and wish you the best. Shaker Microphone Joe Harless/Shakey
Hi Bro His reply is Honest he told you what he knows how to set the amp Who Playes these mic's,,it may be like myself you don't like the sound of Crystal mic's,,The Problem now is You went out shopping Cool Im of to Buy a ass Kicking Blues Mic,,Geezus them Retro Rockets look Cool it's mine,,out the Shop of Home can't wait to play it cool,,here we go got Fav harp Played what you know didn't realy like it's tone a bit Shrill you would say,,ok for the next Hour day month you have played around with every setting known to man,,nothing still sounds a bit to High pitched to your ear,,Mate it's in your Head now nothing you do will change what your hearing,,Like myself i have done the very same as above with my Dynamic shaker mic,,i still pull it out now and then give it a go i last for about 2 songs Na time to put it back down,,And allso it's a good bet the crystal element is made in Japan like the Blues Blaster element not very god infact Barking terrible sound no tone,,Give Him another email ask hime where the crystal elements are made and can you have a spec sheet printed out to see for your self freqency rang Chart it's a fair bet the reading would have more Highs than the Himalayers Bro
I just listened to Ron playing the Retro Rocket on YouTube and it's blatantly obvious from that clip that this element has no bottom end. Just because it supposedly has a bigger frequency range doesn't mean that it's going to be better. It's where the frequency peaks and troughs occur (among other things) that determine the character of the element.
If you compare it to another clip of Ron using a crystal element the RR element doesn't even come close to it for my money.
My advice is sell the RR on ebay and buy a different mic.
