Tom Lauten
26 posts
Jan 12, 2019
5:25 AM
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Just recently acquired ANOTHER mic. It’s a Silvertone, hi-z mic from the 60’s. It fits my hands nicely indeed and is pretty easy to tightly cup. It was apparently from Sears and Roebuck.
I know nothing more than this about it apart from the fact it distorts nicely and is crisp and powerful. Can ANYONE shed more light? Type of element? Any idea of how to open it? Might want to replace the cable with a new one or a socket. The top of the mic looks like it might unscrew but I can NOT budge it by hand for the life of me and I don’t want to mark it as it is in near mint condition. It was an awesome deal for £25 including P&P!! Anyone ever dug into one of these?
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Tom "Bad Paw" Lauten
Loch Ness, Scotland
www.nimbacreations.com
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Harpaholic
929 posts
Jan 13, 2019
11:12 AM
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The one I owned was a crystal element.
The top will unscrew. You may need a strap wrench.
They sound good, a little bright and clean.
They don't have the low end of a full size crystal,
But they cut through the mix with a good cupped tone.
Sears didn't make Silvertone amps or Silvertone tubes, so pretty sure they didn't make the mics either.
I think Sonotone or Shure made them because I have seen a few with a VM
(voice of music) on the grille, and I vaguely remember seeing one with a Shure emblem, so who knows?
The mics came with the old Silvertone recorders or PA's sold by Sears.
Last Edited by Harpaholic on Jan 13, 2019 1:18 PM
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Tom Lauten
28 posts
Jan 14, 2019
1:07 AM
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Great info, thanks! Got two rubber strap wrenches on their way. I agree sound wise. It is a tidy and strong bit of kit. I heartily recommend giving one a try if people get the chance!
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Tom "Bad Paw" Lauten
Loch Ness, Scotland
www.nimbacreations.com
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Tom "Bad Paw" Lauten
Loch Ness, Scotland
www.nimbacreations.com
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Tom Lauten
29 posts
Jan 14, 2019
2:52 AM
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Looks as if you may be 100% correct Harpaholic...I have seen another description that says it was made by Shure and sold by Sonotone.
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Tom "Bad Paw" Lauten
Loch Ness, Scotland
www.nimbacreations.com
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Tom Lauten
37 posts
Jan 17, 2019
12:57 AM
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I’ve decided to go extreme. I have taken the crystal element out of the Silvertone mic and fitted it into the same body shell as used for the Bulletini. Turns out the top cap of the Silvertone just friction fits and pried off easily. The lead was clipped off and slid out through all the dry rotted 40+ year old foam. Getting the element out of the cap took some SERIOUS and scary pushing on the grill from the outside...managed with no damage...phew!
I had a much smaller vintage element in the small black “bullet shell” but the sound was way too shrill. The Silvertone element fit perfectly with the help of a diy rubber “gasket” and some silicone adhesive. I packed the body shell behind the element with organic cotton wool and closed her up. WOW! the sound is very well rounded, powerful and man this shell cups sooooo well! Couldn’t be happier!
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Tom "Bad Paw" Lauten
Loch Ness, Scotland
Last Edited by Tom Lauten on Jan 17, 2019 2:27 AM
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6SN7
822 posts
Jan 17, 2019
5:56 AM
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i don't understand the reason for stuffing it with cotton wool
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Tom Lauten
38 posts
Jan 17, 2019
7:02 AM
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Just for safety. I know the back of the element is sealed but just in case the gasket doesn’t behave 100% I know the back of the shell is “baffled” against any annoying reflections. It’s overkill but thought I would cover any variables my paranoia could come up with.
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Tom "Bad Paw" Lauten
Loch Ness, Scotland
www.nimbacreations.com
Last Edited by Tom Lauten on Jan 17, 2019 7:03 AM
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