RichLawrence
1 post
Dec 17, 2017
1:00 PM
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Hi all. Today I wired a guitar lead directly into a vintage 60's Shure 440sl without any connectors such as Switchcraft. My question is, as this appears to work - why does everyone seems to go through the process of installing connectors? Is it just because of the hassle to replace the cable if it fails or am I missing something else? Many thanks for any input.
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robbert
440 posts
Dec 17, 2017
1:27 PM
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The Shure Green Bullet 520DX is hardwired and I returned the mic twice before getting one that didn’t immediately fail. It only lasted a year or so before it too failed. Eventually had the mic converted to a screw on. Never had problems after that. I’m guessing if your craftsmanship is solid, it’ll be fine until you accidentally step on the cable, while gripping the mic, and yank the wiring loose. Not even sure strain relief would be much help in that scenario.
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Joe_L
2808 posts
Dec 17, 2017
4:03 PM
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On the 520DX, the cable frequently fails where the cable enters the body of the microphone.
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jbone
2420 posts
Dec 18, 2017
10:06 AM
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Good points made here. BUT back "in the day" I never saw a quick disconnect on a harp mic. Granted I was not paying attention. I wired in a few leads to elements in a shell, both green and brown bullet.
Being hard wired it would never pull out without destruction, but if I wrapped the lead around my forearm or wrist, I could step on the cable and not do damage. Or sometimes put the lead in a knot on a belt loop. The strain relief spring on a bullet was not designed to take the sort of abuse of a hand held mic, these bullets were mostly dispatch mics in a stand on a desk. I used different combos of tape and shrink tube to protect the cable where it entered the shell.
Currently my very few harp mics have screw on connectors to 1/4" adapters. Even though I don't jump around stage-we sit to play- it was easier to go with the trend when I had one mic modded, and the other two were built with the 5/8" screw on. One came with a lead soldered to the connector.
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SuperBee
5127 posts
Dec 18, 2017
12:11 PM
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All mine are wired with a screw on 2501mp. Makes it easy to store mics and leads separately, swap leads to track problems. Just more options.
Like jbone, once I got started with screw on, I was committed and kept everything that way. 4 leads, and all my harp mics. Hard wired is ok but different storage needs and a spare mic and lead required for back up. Not a deal breaker but just a decision point.
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Barley Nectar
1329 posts
Dec 18, 2017
9:34 PM
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I install Switchcraft 1/4" jacks in my bullets. VC on rear and guitar cord plugs in right below. I do this with the Turner style shells. Used to use hard wired mics, can't remember haveing trouble with them but prefer a guitar cable.
Last Edited by Barley Nectar on Dec 18, 2017 9:36 PM
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Django
39 posts
Dec 19, 2017
10:36 AM
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Its also nice to have the option of using different length cables.
Just for giggles,I can't imagine having my guitar cable hardwired to my guitar.
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dougharps
1654 posts
Dec 19, 2017
10:52 AM
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I became tired of soldering hardwired cables to repair broken ground connections resulting from inadvertent pulls on the wire at the mic. Even winding it up can contribute to failure. Then I switched to using a short pigtail off the mic to a 1/4" jack, and used guitar cables plugged into the jack. This worked OK: if you stepped on the cord it would unplug and not strain the connection at the mic.
Then I wanted to add an external volume control and went with installing the Amphenol/Switchcraft screw on connector. This lets me use one of Greg Heumann's volume controls. I have a couple cables with the one pole connector (one old that I fixed up and one bought from Greg) that I can switch if I develop a problem. I also have a screw on 1/4" jack for use with a guitar cable, though the assembly starts getting pretty long with VC, jack, and cable plug.
Hardwired is OK, but plan on periodic repairs. That can be problematic at a gig.
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Doug S.
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