Jared_SA
23 posts
Apr 26, 2013
3:32 AM
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Hi All,
I really need help identifying the mic below ie. Type (ceramic, crystal) and other tech details.
The one on the right (even though they're identical).
Any help appreciated.
Last Edited by Jared_SA on Apr 26, 2013 3:32 AM
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Jared_SA
24 posts
Apr 26, 2013
6:32 AM
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Hahahaha :) The wax has given it AMAZING sound.
Sounds seriously good. Would love to know what kind of element it is.
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Hakan
314 posts
Apr 26, 2013
6:46 AM
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I have bought several old telephones here in sweden and they looked very similar to this one. Both on the back and the front. They can sound good but thin bass generally. Older ones sound better. Also a little dirt around the holes on the one to the left I recognize of my own telephone elements. Is this low impedance or high impedance?
Hakan
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Jared_SA
25 posts
Apr 26, 2013
7:31 AM
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Hakan, I have no idea. Not even sure how to check the impedance of the element.
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HawkeyeKane
1618 posts
Apr 26, 2013
7:42 AM
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"Not even sure how to check the impedance of the element."
Probably the easiest way of finding out is to plug a simple 1/4" instrument cable into your amp's input jack. Then tape the one lead to the tip contact of the cable's plug, and the other lead to the barrel contact. Turn the amp on and turn up the volume slowly. If you get a pretty good, strong sound from it in relation to the volume setting of the amp, chances are it's hi-Z. If you get hardly anything at all out of the amp from it, it's probably low-Z.
There are ways of testing it with a multimeter as well if you have one.
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Hawkeye Kane
Last Edited by HawkeyeKane on Apr 26, 2013 8:04 AM
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Jared_SA
26 posts
Apr 26, 2013
8:21 AM
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Thanks HawkeyeKane.
You're right... looks like a hi-Z.
Thanks again everyone for the help.
EDIT: How would I know if it is crystal or ceramic?
Last Edited by Jared_SA on Apr 26, 2013 8:22 AM
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HawkeyeKane
1619 posts
Apr 26, 2013
8:35 AM
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"How would I know if it is crystal or ceramic?"
Not much chance of finding that out with certainty unless you can track down the manufacturer by the coding on the back.
Did you happen to remove this element from an old telephone yourself? If so, how old would you say the telephone was? If it was from around the early 1970's or later, I'd say chances are it's a ceramic. But then again....
Looking at the shape of the element housing....the bulge that encapsulates the majority of the housing (and the connection terminals being recessed on the edge) looks like it COULD contain a small transformer of some kind. If that's the case, the element could very well be dynamic and the transformer would convert it from low-Z to high-Z. How heavy would you say the element is in relation to say...a golf ball? Heavier or lighter?
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Hawkeye Kane
Last Edited by HawkeyeKane on Apr 26, 2013 8:37 AM
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Greg Heumann
2115 posts
Apr 26, 2013
8:52 AM
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1) There is no such thing as a low impedance crystal element (and that is definitely such an element.) That is a high impedance element.
2) You can not test the impedance of a crystal element with an ohm meter. In fact, attempting to do so can ruin the element. DON'T DO IT!
3) So called "ceramic" elements are just a different type of man made crystal. As far as wiring and impedance they act the same - both operate on the piezo-electric principle.
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/Greg
BlowsMeAway Productions
See my Customer Mics album on Facebook
BlueState - my band
Bluestate on iTunes
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Jared_SA
27 posts
Apr 26, 2013
9:12 AM
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@HawkeyeKane - It's a little bit lighter than a golfball (ProV1x). The phone is probably late 70's (keep in mind, South Africa we're quite behind in those times).
I tested it against my dynamic mic and it's a completely different sound. Warm, and it almost has it's own reverb. Minimal, but there. I recorded the two together.
Thanks Greg for your input. Appreciated.
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Murray
8 posts
Apr 27, 2013
10:04 AM
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@Jared, delighted to see another Cape Towner on the forum. Would be equally delighted if you got in touch with me off-list, just so we know each other if we bumped into each other on the street. Email is muz [dot] hunter. With a gmail.com at the end
Last Edited by Murray on Apr 27, 2013 10:05 AM
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Jared_SA
29 posts
Apr 27, 2013
12:46 PM
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Howzit Boet!
I'll drop you a mail. Ja, the okes seem to be scares around our parts. Maybe there aren't any around. I'm in Somerset West btw.
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