crystal element and amp

harpslinger · Posted: Sat Jan 03, 2009 8:40 pm Post subject: crystal element and amp

I have an old R7 shure crystal element. I plugged it into my 1955 gibson G-9 and it sounded so weak I thought it was dead. I plugged it into a fender silver face princeton reverb and it came through with the amp turned way up . I read somewhere (i have been trying to find since) that with some amps you need to put some type of resistor across the input on the amp. Has anyone heard of such a thing or do you have any advice for me?
Thanks

gheumann · Posted: Sun Jan 04, 2009 4:56 pm Post subject:

Your crystal really is almost dead. Bummer. It just happens to crystals. Strong crystals have almost as much output as CM's and CR's.

What you've heard has to do with the input impedance of the amp - crystals can't tolerate much load. The most common input impedance of an amp (a resistance between the signal and ground at the input jack) is 1M. It is possible to change this to 5M on some amps which makes the input ore crystal friendly.

From what you describe, however, it isn't going to help yours.
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harpslinger · Posted: Sun Jan 04, 2009 6:24 pm Post subject: almost dead

Thanks for the info. I bought this from a very reputable seller for $200.00 (NOT on E-bay). When I told him it arrived that way I was told too bad. Not in those exact words but basically thats it.
There was no offer of a discount on a CM or anything else to ease the pain. Was I expecting too much?

gheumann · Posted: Sun Jan 04, 2009 6:42 pm Post subject:

If the guy is "reputable" - he should give you your money back unless he specifically said "sold as is, no guarantee." There is just no excuse for selling a bad element.

But it is POSSIBLE the element died in transit or installation, too. Be sure you're honest with yourself about this.

I have a ton of bad crystals. I suppose I could sell them for real $$ like that on eBay but fortunately, some of us have morals.
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jbone · Posted: Mon Jan 05, 2009 6:19 pm Post subject:

a crystal can be damaged if dropped onto a hard surface, in or out of a shell. also excess heat will ruin one. if you are replacing leads on one you MUST heat sink or you do risk killing it. voice of experience here.

other hand, my crystal custom bullet came from australia, used, well packed, and i've used it steadily now for 6 years. if care is taken with a good crystal it can last a long time. and the mids and highs are so clear with a crystal, they are worth some extra care when you do get a good one.
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harpslinger · Posted: Wed Jan 07, 2009 12:09 am Post subject: DOA

Thank you gentlemen,
This guy is well known and I am sure you would recognize his name. That is why I am not stating it. I am aware of the delicacy and handled the element with care. It arrived dead, however he states (and I have no choice but to believe him) that it left him in great working condition. My only option now is not to buy from him again. It seems that there is a fairly expensive learning curve to this vintage mic and element business.
Thanks again for your voice of experience.

gheumann · Posted: Wed Jan 07, 2009 12:39 am Post subject:

I guess he isn't so reputable then.

When that happens to me as a seller (it is rare, but it happens) I EAT THE COST. There is just no good to come from leaving a customer with a sour taste in his mouth.

Sorry for your loss.

/Greg
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Cumberland · Joined: 01 Mar 2008 Posts: 85 Location: Cumberland, IN

Sorry to hear it. I don't deal in crystals much but I've had several, even lost one or two. When I ship one, it gets insured........NO EXCEPTIONS. Then like Greg, I'll eat the initial outlay to replace it, then file a claim.......that way neither party is out anything. When buying, I always insist that it's insured for shipping to me, I of course pay for that but it's worth it just in case. You don't get into a "he said" "he said" kinda deal..........

Just a thought

Jeff
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harpslinger · Posted: Wed Jan 07, 2009 4:57 pm Post subject: reputable

Wow guys,
It sounds like you both go above and beyond the call of duty.
In any other business if a product is received in anything other than perfect condition it is immediately returned and the supplier pays for shipping and replaces it then gets money back from the shipper if it was damaged by them.
I know who to contact next time.
Thanks a lot.

harpastatic · Joined: 08 Aug 2007 Posts: 32

ooooops,i had no idea they were worth so much,i just gave my last one away cause i wasn't crazy about the upper mid-range.oh well,it went into a nice jt-30 that the new owner will have fun with,or at least i hope she does,

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