messy ventura
62 posts
Mar 31, 2013
9:50 AM
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I was just checking out the website greenbullettmics.com. It seems the owner of this site portrays Chuck Gurney of Fat Btm mics as an inexperienced, over pricing kook (without directly mentioning Chuck's name) and that painting mic shells is taboo because hand sweat will de-laminate the paint therefore powder coating is best. I take issue with the paint slam as I airbrush shells with a good automotive paint and clear. Provided the prep before paint is done properly and there's no contamination, a shell correctly painted is literally "bullet proof"-pun intended- and can have some great eye candy designs in the hands of a good airbrush artist. And from what I've heard and read Chuck Gurney does some pretty damn good mic builds & has some pro endorsements to back up his builds. So why would the person running greenbulletmics.com be talking ''doo-doo" about him ???
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Kingley
2488 posts
Mar 31, 2013
10:07 AM
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The owner of that site is Dave Kott. He's fairly well known as an authority on bullet mics and the Shure bullet mics in particular. To be honest, I think you're reading something into what he says that isn't really there.
Yes he talks about the pitfalls of painted mics, rebuilding elements and much more. He's referring to the many "mic builders" who have appeared on ebay, who don't necessarily know what they are doing though.
He states quite clearly that if you want to buy a mic and be certain of what you are getting then you need to do some research first. He cites Harp L as a good place to search for information on mic builders.
Dave is well aware of people like Chuck Gurney and would no doubt refer you to people like Chuck, Jeremy Snell, Dennis Oellig or Greg Heumann if you were looking for a good mic. He knows who the good mic builders are. As to the issue of painting vs powder coating. A lot of people seem to be of the opinion that powder coating offers a more robust finish than painting. I don't know enough about chemistry to offer an opinion one way or another.
Last Edited by Kingley on Mar 31, 2013 10:09 AM
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timeistight
1165 posts
Mar 31, 2013
10:51 AM
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I've never understood the appeal of re-painted mics.
Why bother? They look cooler before.
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Playing music... it's a privilege.
Kim Wilson
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messy ventura
63 posts
Mar 31, 2013
11:03 AM
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@ Kingley You think I'm reading something that isn't there ? On the site under "Collecting Vintage Mics" Sub heading "Beware the Schmuck" Dave is railing about the cost of elements being inflated and lying to customers & price gouging . He states " I'm 99.9 % sure his name rhymes with Schmuck." a few lines later he states "when the wife finds out how much you got ripped off for you may just take a ride on a gurney. (cough couch)" I know I'm fairly new to the harp community but I think even Ray Charles could see Dave is refering to Chuck Gurney. I agree the GBmic site is Very well done, helpful, & informative and that Dave Kott is a very knowledgeable guy in this field and I'll give him the benefit of the doubt that he may have written this before Chuck was established as a reputable mic builder. Just wondering why Dave would talk doo doo about Chuck in a passive aggressive manner ?
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tmf714
1659 posts
Mar 31, 2013
11:05 AM
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Here is a mic Chuck built for me -the paint rivals that of some Mercedes Benz vehicles-and I worked for Mercedes for 8 years-there is also a lot of chop work involved with this mic,and the pics are not even top quality-
Last Edited by tmf714 on Mar 31, 2013 11:08 AM
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tmf714
1660 posts
Mar 31, 2013
11:18 AM
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Here is how the mic look before Chuck got it-it had a Jap crstal in it that was totally dead -now it has a killer 1953 black label CR element in it-it's the strongest mic I own.
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tmf714
1661 posts
Mar 31, 2013
11:21 AM
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As a side note,I really never could figure out what the rift was between Dave and Chuck-or even if there ever was one-I just know they are both outstanding people in their respective fields.
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Kingley
2489 posts
Mar 31, 2013
11:24 AM
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Messy - Interesting I hadn't read that page. That does indeed seem like he's bashing Chuck. I don't know what prices Chuck Gurney charges for his work, but I do agree with Dave that $400 for a harp mic is a lot to pay. I did notice that he also recommends Jeremy Snell though, whose prices weren't anywhere near cheap last time I looked.
Last Edited by Kingley on Mar 31, 2013 11:29 AM
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Mojokane
680 posts
Mar 31, 2013
1:50 PM
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yeah, tmf714...sums it up for me.
Both talented guys.
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Why is it that we all just can't get along?<
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SuperBee
1037 posts
Mar 31, 2013
3:02 PM
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I also noticed that rail against CG and it made me doubt the entire site actually, as I know CG does have a lot of credible endorsement..
The dough could be an issue I guess as CG does know how to charge, but the attack seems rather OTT to me.
The site seems neglected. The references to Jeremy Snell are a long time out of date.
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dted
42 posts
Mar 31, 2013
3:07 PM
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Chuck repaired a completely dead CR element for me (soldered broken wires so thin I need a magnifier to even see them) for only $35.
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messy ventura
64 posts
Mar 31, 2013
4:09 PM
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Yeah I'm thinkin the GBmics site is maybe outdated a bit. @ tmf714 -Beautiful job GC did on your mic. You understand the skill involved , especially the body work , on that mic with your background. @ timeistight - I bought my 1st mic from Greg H. I chose a beater brown JT30 shell Greg had w/the paint all chipped up because I too don't care for the shiny fancy shells for personal use. I do love paintin 'em up all nice for those that do like 'em that way though. Different strokes for different folks I guess.
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shbamac
289 posts
Mar 31, 2013
4:15 PM
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I believe Jeremy Snell sold out and is no longer in the business. Chuck's work is second to none for what he does. Just like Greg is the current master of the wood mic. As far as Dave being upset about the prices going up he should have been happy about it as he has or had a rather large collection of elements. He was more than happy to sell one to someone I know for $225 a few years ago.
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bigd
451 posts
Mar 31, 2013
5:31 PM
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I have a yellow Gurney mike with a Black Label that I bought for a small fortune: about 325 or 350 and it had cost the original buyer about 75.00 more if I remember correctly. Nevertheless- At the end of the day it's always the (my pics will support this) mike I go to. He and I had some communications and transactions before he recently took some personal time off and he was earnest and generous with me. d
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Ray
424 posts
Apr 01, 2013
6:44 AM
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Jeremy still sells on ebay. Mic's, elements and amps.
He also sells antiques. Save him as seller to check in often to see what he's selling.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Shure-Controlled-Magnetic-Microphone-Element-Ham-Radio-Harp-Mic-/330899026151?pt=US_Vintage_Pro_Audio_Equipment&hash=item4d0b1e70e7#ht_1687wt_1213
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shbamac
290 posts
Apr 01, 2013
7:24 AM
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Ray, thanks. Got him mixed up with someone else. I was thinking of Jeffery Spoor, of harpmicgastkets.com, I heard he sold out.
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Ray
426 posts
Apr 01, 2013
8:29 AM
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@shbamac You could still be right. I'm not sure if Jeremy is still building custom mics. I just know he's still selling the items I mentioned. I know his elements are priced lower than other sellers for the same thing. At least the one's he's sold recently are.
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stones
81 posts
Apr 01, 2013
9:55 AM
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If you are going to spend big $$'s on a mic then you owe it to your self to educate your self on the subject. Do your "DO DILIGENCE".there are alot of wesites out there just for harp mics and greenbullet is a very informative one too, but not the only one.
I have painted many shells for friends, I only use use automotive paints,PPG is the best. and it's alot of work,just like painting a small car.
Personnally I like my shells old and with original patina, but I have bought some of my elements from CG and have never had any issues...ever.
So like the old man in the corner say's
"opinions are like butt holes,everybody has one."
it's the educated person who looks past it.
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bloozefish
89 posts
Apr 01, 2013
12:27 PM
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Some years back I won a lot of 8 old communication mics for low $$$....totally lucked out as they all had black CRs in them. Two of the 8 elements had considerable lower outputs than the others. I sent the two to CG for refurbishing. Those two are the best sounding black CRs I've ever played. Both of my thumbs are up for Chuck Gurney!
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Georgia Blues
42 posts
Apr 01, 2013
12:40 PM
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I'm with timeistight. Old is like gold.
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Alex
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