AlexPaclin
102 posts
Dec 22, 2022
6:06 PM
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Hi guys, I'm choosing a bullet mic for myself, good sounding and the one that would work in the most situations. What would you suggest? Also, what do you think about Astatic JT30 vs Hohner HB52?
Last Edited by AlexPaclin on Dec 22, 2022 8:36 PM
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TetonJohn
421 posts
Dec 23, 2022
8:44 AM
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I'm surprised no replies yet, so, I'll give some 2 cents. The potential problem with JT30 is that they use a crystal element and will be used (or at least be old) -- no current production -- and crystal elements are on the fragile side -- so you won't really know what you are getting -- they can vary a lot. It would help that if you could spend the money to get a JT30 from a trusted supplier (Gruenling and Oellig come to mind; Greg Heumann doesn't do JT30, but seems to have a supply of crystal elements that he could put in a different shell). If you spend good money for a fragile element, you might be concerned about damaging it (especially in a live band situation or traveling). I do enjoy the feel of the JT30 shell (which can have other elements installed, volume controls added, etc.).
I know nothing about HB52. It could be helpful to folks if you said a bit more about how you plan to use the mike -- and maybe why you narrowed down the field to those two -- and maybe even why a bullet (shape?).
BTW, I think Greg Heumann's "Ultimate 57" is a very versatile mike (though not a bullet, but can be "bulletized"); his "bulletini" gets great reviews. What is the range of versatility you are looking for?
Ther coffee is kickin' in: "work in the most situations" has a few parts -- sonic, logistic and tactile. For example, on the logistic side, a volume control could help in some situations.
Enough already!
Last Edited by TetonJohn on Dec 24, 2022 8:08 AM
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Lou
134 posts
Dec 24, 2022
3:27 PM
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I've been through more than a few bullet mics. vintage & new I settled on the Bullitini for most situations a great mic. But I had the Hohner HB52 and it's a real good mic. built well, sounds good & it's a good size shell to cup.
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ME.HarpDoc
413 posts
Dec 26, 2022
2:41 PM
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I’ve had JT30 with a CM element, Bulletini , Ultimate 525 and HB52. For my hands the HB52 is the perfect cup size.. The Ultimate is harder to cup to get sound I want. I use both Bullitini and HB 52 and get great sound out of both. The $ is less on the HB52. A JT 30 with a good element costs more and is larger in hands to cup. I agree with TJ though. Buy that from Gruenling.
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AlexPaclin
103 posts
Dec 30, 2022
1:02 AM
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To be more specific I'm looking for a mic good for Chicago style of playing with tongue blocking.
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Lou
135 posts
Dec 30, 2022
8:06 AM
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Than just buy the Hohner HB52, as I said it works, sounds great & was made for what your looking for. Check out Ronnie Shelist youtube reviews of the mic.
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BluesDog
5 posts
Dec 30, 2022
8:36 AM
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If your interested i have a JT-30 for sale. Amp blew and i am just playing acoustic now. It was built by james at simplemics.com, great sounding mic. It has a custom paint job by the scarecrow. Feathers with the stars and stripes, awesome job. let me know i can send you some pics. Inside is a 1960's shure 99a86 element. Volume control and 1/4" quick connect.
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TetonJohn
422 posts
Dec 30, 2022
11:19 AM
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The general opinion around here for years was that (apart from the older, fragile, crystal elements) Controlled Reluctance and Controlled Magnetic elements have the mojo for Chicago style. I have not kept up with newer production harp mikes to see if that has changed. If I were looking, I would want either a CR/CM (in a shell) from a trusted source or keep it really simple with a Greg H. "bulletini" (based, not on direct experience, but on many, many bulletini reviews and long experience with Greg). Bulletini does not have a CR/CM, but many find it comparble. Greg also does have CR/CM elements he could put in nice, custom, wooden shell -- very nice! You would pay a premium price for a mike from Dennis Gruenling, but in my experience you will get great quality. For less money but perhaps a bit more risk, you could post a WTB on the for sale section here. I suspect many of us here have more great mikes than we need!
Last Edited by TetonJohn on Dec 30, 2022 11:45 AM
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AlexPaclin
104 posts
Dec 31, 2022
1:32 AM
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BluesDog, is it a Shure Controlled element? I'm leaving the States on January 5th and I'm in LA, can it arrive by the 4th?
Last Edited by AlexPaclin on Dec 31, 2022 1:26 AM
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BluesDog
6 posts
Jan 03, 2023
5:45 AM
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Alex, yes it is.
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marikabarina
1 post
Jan 03, 2023
1:58 PM
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@BluesDog
Are you still selling it? I've been looking for a JT-30, but the cheapest I've found is $190. What would be the price?
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"Where words fail, music speaks" - Hans Christian Andersen
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BluesDog
7 posts
Jan 04, 2023
5:57 AM
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$275, and i will pay to ship it in the USA. PayPal
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Lou
136 posts
Jan 04, 2023
1:20 PM
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marrikabarina, I have a JT 30 I'd sell for 190.00 it has a pretty hot element in it. email at loubrava@comcast.net
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