Rgsccr
49 posts
Jul 09, 2012
11:05 PM
|
Hi - I picked up an Astatic 200 on eBay. While I don't know too much about this (or any) mic beyond what I've been learning on the net, the mic doesn't work and it looks like the element needs replacing. From the searching I've done, I'm guessing the element is original and from the late 40s or early 50s. While I may want to let a mic customizer mod this mic, I think I'd like to see if I can get it playing first. So, am I correct that it doesn't appear too difficult to replace an element? It seems that a number of sites suggest getting a ceramic element. One site recommended Ken's Electronics and they have several ceramic elements for D104 mics. Does anyone know if these will fit? How about any other places to buy elements? Thanks. Rich
|
didjcripey
327 posts
Jul 09, 2012
11:44 PM
|
save yourself mucking around and money; go straight for a high Impedance shure controlled magnetic from ebay, and a gasket from harpmic gaskets. No biggie to install if you leave the metal handle on the 200, but a bit of work if you want to chop it. The biggest issue with a chop is that the connector usually ends up in a synthetic material and grounding the shell can be tricky. There was a thread here a while back which showed a step by step guide to doing a chop:
http://www.modernbluesharmonica.com/board/board_topic/5560960/1083520.htm
I'd also find out what sort of element was in it originally, and if its actually shot or there is just a loose wire or short somewhere
----------
Lucky Lester
Last Edited by on Jul 09, 2012 11:49 PM
|
Greg Heumann
1689 posts
Jul 10, 2012
7:32 AM
|
The D104 element does not fit. In crystals/ceramic, the Astatic MC-101, MC127 and MC151 all work. Good luck trying find a strong one - your chances on eBay are about 1 in 20. I have them, other reputable vendors do too. Expect to pay more, because we are the guys who eat the cost of the lousy ones we won't resell.
Also the Shure CM or CR elements work - in high impedance there are no less than 5 "levels" of these elements:
1 - dual impedance CM (99S556)
2 - single impedance CM
3 - premium CM (older 99A/B/G/H with opaque epoxy)
4 - white label CR
5 - black label CR
The difference between a 1 and a 5? Anyone can hear it. Between a 2 and a 4? Most good players can hear it. Between any two adjacent numbers? A really good player can hear it - but the variation from one element to the next of the SAME category is as big or bigger a difference. In other words, moving from a 4 to a 5 improves your odds, but may or may not result in an appreciably better element. The price IS driven by both tone AND scarcity which is why the price begins to get really steep. I put #2 elements in my wood mics by default and they are very, very good elements. (In fact, the difference between 1 and 2 is a good deal greater than any other interval.)
Note that there are also low- and medium impedance versions of the Shure elements. They can be used but require transformers - you need to know what you're doing to either use them or avoid them.
Email me for my element price list if interested.
----------
/Greg
Last Edited by on Jul 10, 2012 7:33 AM
|
barbequebob
1978 posts
Jul 10, 2012
7:53 AM
|
The elements in a D104 not only won't fit, but they are FAR too powerful for anything other than its intended use, which was CB radios and unless you're gonna fork out the bread for a Kinder AFB box, you'd be lucky to turn the amp on at 1 without a major feedback problem, and here a graphic EQ would be a total waste of money.
----------
Sincerely,
Barbeque Bob Maglinte
Boston, MA
http://www.barbequebob.com
CD available at http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/bbmaglinte
|
bluzmn
71 posts
Jul 11, 2012
6:17 AM
|
Dave Wren at harpmicshop.com has a lot of different kinds of harp mic elements. I got a Turner ceramic element from him to replace an MC127 element in a JT30 that was dying, and it sounds almost as good as the MC127 when it was healthy. He's also happy to answer any technical (mic-related) questions you may have.
|
HawkeyeKane
1065 posts
Jul 11, 2012
7:46 AM
|
@bluzmn
Did you get the full-size Turner ceramic or the mini?
Vintage NOS Turner Ceramic Hi-Z Microphone Element
Vintage NOS Small Turner Ceramic Hi-Z Microphone Element
I got the full-size from Dave to put in my JT30RH. Bartered a Jap crystal that I bought direct from Hohner against the price.
----------
Hawkeye Kane
Last Edited by on Jul 11, 2012 7:47 AM
|
Rgsccr
50 posts
Jul 11, 2012
8:57 AM
|
Thanks guys - I ended up talking to Dave at harpmicshop.com and he was great. He is sending me an Astatic ceramic element - MC564-1 - along with a cable to replace the original. He is very helpful and the prices are great. Thanks for all the helpful suggestions and knowledge.
|
Rgsccr
53 posts
Jul 12, 2012
5:28 PM
|
Just thought I'd mention that Dave Wren at The Harp Mic Shop gave me great service. He sent me the vintage ceramic element, and made up a cable with connectors that go onto the ones he soldered onto the element. I got this next day after ordering it. Very easy to put it into the Astatic 200, and it sounds great! Very crunchy. Thanks to bluzmn for recommending the harp mic shop, I heartily second that. Rich
Last Edited by on Jul 12, 2012 5:29 PM
|
