| Archive for harpmicforum.myfastforum.org A discussion on amplified harmonica. Post you questions/comments about mics, harps, amps, tubes, music. Drop by my site, http://www.harpmicgaskets.com. |
| gheumann |
Can you help me with my 520DX?I get this request so often, and it happened again today. Thought I would post my typical response to someone who wants to improve their 520DX. (For those not familiar, this is the currently offered Shure Green Bullet with volume control and dynamic element.) I hope anyone considering a 520DX who comes here first will then think twice....Yes, I have wonderful variety of Shure controlled magnetic and controlled reluctant elements, Brush crystals, Astatic crystals and other elements, and I would be happy to sell you one. I guarantee any of them will sound better than the dynamic element in the 520DX. I can also install a screw-on connector to the 520DX shell so you don't have to worry about internal failure (and they all fail - just a question of time), however the ring (on the cable connector) that you screw onto the connector will interfere with the volume knob. You (or I) can shave a little rubber off that knob with a razor blade and it will then work - however it is still a little hard to get to. What some people do is abandon the internal volume control and go with an external one - that solves that problem. But now you've spent, say, $100 for the mic, $35 for me to put the connector in, $100-250 for a really good element, $65 for an external volume control - and in the end you will have spent $300-$500 and still have the biggest heaviest bullet shell there is. I am happy to do whatever work you want, but I urge you to consider selling that mic and starting over with a better shell. You can get older bullets on eBay at reasonable prices, and there are lots of custom harp mic makers out there who offer a variety of products in a wide range of prices. Take a look at the wood mics I make (see http://www.blowsmeaway.com/custommics.html). They come with excellent elements, are much lighter weight, smaller in diameter, they're pretty, and they sound GREAT, guaranteed. Again, I'm happy to do the work you asked for, but I wanted you to know you could spend the same money and end up with a mic I think you'd ultimately be much happier with! |
| Cumberland |
Greg speaks the truth........you can pile up a LOT more money in moding an existing green bullet only to have a VERY heavy paperweight (and very expensive) in the end. You'll be out shoping for another one before long. Mics are like Lay's potato chips........just can't eat just one...... For the same 300-500 ........if you look hard you can find a couple of great mics made just for harp players.
He Greg I ran accross a guy (I passed on the mic.......still kickin' myself) who turned his own shells and it was made from beautiful Koa wood..... 
Have you ever worked with it? Beautiful mic........great grain. (my family used to own a custom cabinet shop.........love natural wood). Jeff |
| gheumann |
I have turned some Koa. My good buddy Kevin (aka Mojokane) - mic builder in Hawaii got some for me. I turned it for him. In all honesty it is pretty featureless wood when used on a small scale. I like wood that either has vivid grain or vivid color - or both! But I have some Koa left - in case anyone wants a mic made from it. I'm a-burnin and yearnin' to do some turnin'......
/Greg |