T-3 crystal or CM

harpslinger · T-3 crystal or CM

Hey guys.
I have some T3 shells and a number of old crystal elements. I have one very nice astatic crystal element that is alive and kicking. Most are too weak to sell and I am not into unloading stuff on unsuspecting buyers (do unto others...). This one is strong and clear. Should I put it into the T3 shell with connector and volume? or should I sell it by itself and put a CM/CR in the shell. I need to get as much as possible for them. I traded my first born for some shells and elements and now I have to get him back before my wife finds out.
any advice would be helpfull.
Thanks Shocked

Cumberland

Hey Slinger.........I just figured out who you are.............. Very Happy

Boy that one is tough one. Just my opinion........I'd stick a CR in it. T3's don't bring big money typically, at least right now. So by adding a good CR in it and polish it up nice and purdy, you've got a better shot at getting better money.

I'm not a big fan in adding VC's to T3's.........there's something about busting into that great chrome and there's really not a good place to put it. Do you have the little stem for it as well? The T3's bring a bit more money with the stem and a good cord.................

Just my .02 cents...........

Jeff

harpslinger · T-3's

Thanks Jeff.
I have 3 all with the stem. One I have had for at least 10 years and it has a chrome piece with an on off with and a switchcraft connector that screws onto the small stem. one has a long chrome addition to the stem with a cord coming out the back. the other just has the small stem. Do you think I will get more for the crystal element just on its own. I personally prefer the Cm's and Cr's?

angerboy

I would keep Astatic crystal. Those are just going to get more and more rare as time goes on. I think the prices will continue to go up. Right now, things seem to be dropping in price, I would try to weather the storm and hope that the people you sold your son to will raise him right. Wink

I don't know if I would go to the expense of adding a volume control.

gheumann

If its any help I just sold a T3 in medium shape (someone had already removed the lower part and filled the slot with a screw-on connector plus a piece of black foam) - with a nice CM element in it, for $169. I think that was a fair price. The mic has the advantage of being smaller than a JT30 or Shure Bullet.

harpslinger · Thanks

Great advice guys.
Thanks.
Your right angerboy, I just hope he still recognises me when I finally do see him again

Cumberland

I just recently picked up my first T3 in a trade........so far, I'm thrilled. My only complaint is that they're slicker than snot.......I hate to even dream it, but it may be in line for a powder coat job............

1bluzboy

I recently had Greg add a screw-on connector to the stem on one of my T3's, and then I put an MC151 in it. This way I can add my Blowsmeaway inline VC, and leave the shell original. You can't beat having the option to add a VC by simply screwing one to the bottom of your mic, and mine has served me well for years already. I'm not affiliated with Greg at all, just a happy repeat customer.

harpslinger · Looks beauty.

OUCH!
Powder coating can be beautifull but look at that baby.
Nice picture by the way. I have been thinking of using some type of invisible coating on the front to give grip. I have used a kind of electrical tape before.
It is not the normal tape it is black but it is thick and has no shiny side so the rubber is grippy. It is not sticky at all but allows you to grip the slippery chrome. I have been thinking of using invisible band aid. I have no idea if it will work. I also thought of a temporary masking liquid used to brush on to surfaces. I think it is latex. the beauty of someting like that (if it works) is that it is easily removable and invisible.
Let me know what you decide to do.

harpslinger · just to clarify

What I meant by invisible bandaid is liquid bandaid.

gheumann

Another alternative is bicycle handlebar tape. But there is a notable ridge between grill and shell on this mic - and it is small - I don't think you need any help to hold onto it.

jbone

here's at least a temporary solution. they put a fat white rubber band around the broccoli we buy at the grocery sore. if you like broccoli, get a bunch and use the band around the front of your mic. may sound silly but it will definitely give you more to grip and if you don't like it, it comes off with no residue.

harpastatic

broccoli bands are the in way for gangsters to wrap their money BTW,good one jbone.

i would definitely sell the crystal seperately,i think you'd get much more money that way!

harpslinger · Thanks again all

Has any body heard of bringing life back into a weak crystal?
I have (2) R7's (some of have heard my $200.00 sob story already)

It just seems to me if they could make them with a salt crystal initially that somehow a new salt crystal could be made to replace the old. I definitely have not looked inside but if they are just junk maybe I will take one apart to see how they are made.

Any Advice?

harpastatic

i guess you could try boosting the signal with an output transformer.

www.jt30.com sells them.

check with one of the experts like greg first though!

gheumann

I've heard rumors of someone who rebuilds crystal elements but I've never been able to get to the source. An output transformer won't help. Of course it is possible, but it would take some very specialized equipment. I HAVE dissected a few. The diaphragm is attached to a pin that is connected to the crystal, and the diaphragm is fastened to the housing around the outer perimeter, which with Brush and Astatic crystals, anyway. The housing is crimped over to secure the diaphragm. I'm sure they did this with a special machine. There is no way to undo it that I know of.

Maybe I'll figure out how to do it and get into the business myself - I could get rich! However getting identical crystals might be impossible - and a different crystal would make a different tone, I would think.

harpslinger

That sounds right .
Here is a link to a post from someone whio claims to be able to repair some of them.
http://groups.google.com/group/ha...34111743dd/0c481b917b7cbb75?pli=1

it is worth a try. I am going to take a dead one apart and pray for insight.

I have a question for you Greg, in response to Jeff's statement about the chrome being slick. You build mics with chrome fronts don't you? Have you heard anything from the players about them being slippery when wet.

I have some shure bullets and I was thinking of having the faceplates chromed. Now I am thinking of having them knurled first.
Any thoughts?

gheumann

No, I don't chrome my grills - more because of cost than slipperiness - but my grills are simply polished aluminum - and it has much more friction with your hands. I know I sound like I'm tooting my own horn but ask anyone who owns one of my mics - they are the most comfortable mics to hold of any bullet available.

harpslinger · Polished Aluminum

Looks good,
The polished aluminum looks really good. I saw a sight in England for polishing metal and they have some incredible examples of polished aluminum. In fact they plate silver gold chrome etc. but the guy says polished aluminum is his favorite.
I noticed on the Charly Musselwhite mic the diameter in the grill and the wood gets smaller right behind the front edge then a little larger again to allow for the good grip, thats a great idea.
Approximately what diameter do you make your grills?

gheumann

My grills are 2.34" in outside diameter - same as a JT30 but without the bumps. In the pic of Charlie's mic I think what you're seeing is the effect of glare. The mic goes straight back parallel with the rear surface of the grill for about 1/4" before it starts to taper. However I do offer an option I call a "grip shoulder" that does help grip the mic more securely. Pic of one with that option attached (hopefully.)

harpslinger · glare

your right it looks like glare.
That is a nice size.
I have one JT30. I have never used it for a gig. or even to rehearse for that matter but it does feel better than the shure bullets. I imagine yours must be very comfortable.

gheumann

Yeah, the Shure bullets are bigger around in diameter. The early 707 bullets (1940's) were nice and small. Then the first "green" bullet, the 520 got bigger. Then the current 520DX is bigger still (and heavy as a TANK.)

The JT30 diameter is nice but the bumps make it uncomfortable to hold.

/Greg

harpastatic

i have a jt-30 with the ears shaved off.it is very comfy!

gheumann

Yeah, I've actually ground the ears off and the front smooth. Learned that trick from an old harp mic builder. But then it has to be painted, and unless you're willing to work with catalyzed exotic paints, ain't nothin gonna hold up on the grill.

So I just make my own grills. They're prettier, lighter and more unique!

T-3 crystal or CM

T-3's

Thanks

Looks beauty.

just to clarify

Thanks again all

Polished Aluminum

glare