Oisin
439 posts
Feb 18, 2010
11:48 AM
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When I plugged my GB520dx into my amp the other night at a jam, the amp started buzzing like crazy so I had to use another mic. This mic was fine so I knew it wasn't the amp at fault.I tried it again when I got home on a couple of different amps and got the same thing.
Tonight I undid the little grub screw that holds the cord spring in place and gently pulled the wires out. I can see 3 wires, a red, a black and a grey. The grey wire end is soldered to the spring and the wire itself seems to be held together by just a few strands, i.e its just about to snap.
Is this the cause of the crackling and buzzing? What's the best solution to remedy this.
Now before someone says fit a switchcraft connector etc..that's not an option. I've heard Greg say this is a very difficult thing to do and I'm not that good to even attempt it. I'd just like a quick but semi-permenant fix that will allow me to use the mic again.
And buying a vintage CM or CR is also out of my price range.
I'd be very grateful for any help any of you guys can offer
Oisin
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Kingley
869 posts
Feb 18, 2010
11:53 AM
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The cable has failed due to stress on it most likely. You need to replace it. But ultimately it will fail again.
The single best solution really is to get a screw on connector fitted.
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MrVerylongusername
905 posts
Feb 18, 2010
12:11 PM
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Yeah, it's a bad earth. Easy to fix. Make a note of what is soldered to what. Desolder all the connections, and prize that blob of glue stuff from the back of the shell. Strip the cables back to where the copper strands are all intact and then reattach it to the spring (or if you prefer you can add an earthing point on one of the sold lugs inside, but you'll need a good drill and a tap to do that properly.) Resolder all your connections, put it back together and replace the blob of stuff with silicone sealer or hot glue gun glue.
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Jfllr1
149 posts
Feb 18, 2010
1:10 PM
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mine failed too,
Check the copper cladding is in place, as that sometimes causes problems.
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"Blow as thou pleaseth"
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Shredder
149 posts
Feb 18, 2010
2:54 PM
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Same thing happened to me 6 months ago. I had my Amp./ Mic man resolder the wire back to the spring.
No big deal.
Mike
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MJ
91 posts
Feb 18, 2010
5:38 PM
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It happened to me once also. I learned to always have a backup mic in my bag.
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gmacleod15
46 posts
Feb 18, 2010
6:01 PM
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I just finished resoldering mine for the third time and last time as I bought a new "old" one with a switch craft connector.
Here is a suggestion for who ever does the repair.
When I was working on the DX, once I had it all apart I slipped about 3 inches of shrink wrap tubing over the cable. Then after I had all the soldering work done and the mic all assembled I slide the tubing over the spring about an inch...heated it with a heat gun (you could probably use a hot hair dryer). Now the cable will not spin inside the spring/mic and should last longer. The tubing can be bought for a few dollars at your local electronics store. Use the 1/2" size and it will shrink down tight to the cable. The black tubing looks like it was always there. You could even add a couple of layers.
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MBH member since 2009-03-24
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Oisin
440 posts
Feb 19, 2010
4:22 AM
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Many thanks to everyone for this info especially the idea of placing a heat shrink wrap over the cable and spring.
Kingley...I know the switchcraft connector is the way to go but unless you can do it for me for free then it's a non-starter!! The cost of posting it to Greg and paying for it is more than the mic is worth.
And MJ I always carry 2 spare mics in my bag as I've had 2 mics go on one night before.
I think this is a great example of why this is such a great forum. You ask for help and within 24 hours you've got it!
Oisin
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