Pauly22
16 posts
May 18, 2013
6:39 AM
|
I have a 520D from 1987 or so. The cable has failed on it. Can I just take a 1/4" guitar cable, cut one end off, and solder the wires to the wires coming off the element on the Mic.
|
Kingley
2653 posts
May 18, 2013
7:24 AM
|
Yes you can do that. Ultimately though it will fail again. The best idea would be to send it to Greg Heumann at www.blowsmeaway.com and have him fit a screw on connector to the mic. It doesn't really cost a lot to have Greg do it either.That way you can use a Switchcraft 332A adapter and use any guitar cable with your mic.
|
Pauly22
17 posts
May 18, 2013
7:43 AM
|
Yes, I am a fan of Greg's and now a customer. I'm waiting for my custom wood mic from him to arrive, if the US Postal Service can get its act together!
That said, I just want to get the Green Bullet in playable condition so I can sell it. May be I should just post it up as a fix-er-upper and see what I can get for it.
|
Kingley
2654 posts
May 18, 2013
8:03 AM
|
Well if you're just after a quick sale, then simply replace the cable in the mic, make sure it works and you're good to go.
|
didjcripey
544 posts
May 18, 2013
2:34 PM
|
I don't believe that its inevitable that the cable will fail again.
See if you can knot the cable inside the shell so it doesn't pull on the solder joint.
----------
Lucky Lester
|
jbone
1256 posts
May 18, 2013
8:37 PM
|
Lester has the right idea in my book. I've had a 707A shell for years with the cable knotted and it has never been a problem. the original design by Shure with the relief spring was pretty much for as table top mic, and not the crazy antics of a harp player!
That said I do have a Greg- built e-v mic with the screw-on conn and a 1/4" female end, and it's great.
----------
http://www.reverbnation.com/jawboneandjolene
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000386839482
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wa7La7yYYeE
|
ReedSqueal
431 posts
May 18, 2013
10:48 PM
|
It can be done at home. I just finished a 520DX. It's solid!
Uploaded with ImageShack.us
----------
Go ahead and play the blues if it'll make you happy.
-Dan Castellaneta
|
Kingley
2655 posts
May 18, 2013
11:19 PM
|
Yes, this job can be done at home, but for every successful attempt there are a lot more that are messed up. The shell is very soft and can easily break at that point when being drilled. Plus of course you have to work out a way to securely hold the shell as you drill and tap it.
With regards to knotting the cable inside the shell. Whilst this does work, it's still only a relatively short term solution. The cable will still most likely fail due to being coiled over and over again. The beauty of the screw on connection is that it not only makes changing cables easy, it makes storage, etc easier as well.
The screw on connector is made to last. Just look at how many mics are still around from the 1940's/50's with their original connectors in good condition. You're hard pressed to find any hard wired bullet mic with it's original lead still in working condition. Most have been replaced more than once in the mics lifetime.
Last Edited by Kingley on May 19, 2013 12:18 AM
|
Greg Heumann
2146 posts
May 19, 2013
7:07 AM
|
I have explained in other threads why installing a screw-on connector at home for the first time is risky, not to mention expensive. Yes it can be done. But for the $35 I charge (and I think that's about what others charge as well) you're better off sending it out.
You need a way to securely hold the connector in order to tighten it when you install it, without screwing up its threads. A screw-on connector has a knurled portion above the threads. Unless you want that to show, you'll need to find a way to remove it to a depth that allows the connector to screw all the way in, without going too far and reducing the wall thickness too much which will weaken the connector. To thread the shell you need a #Q drill bit and a 3/8-32 tap. You won't find either at most hardware stores. When you drill out the cable hole, even if you step up with every drill size in between, the drill bit wants to grab the shell and so will rip it out of your hands or a poor work holding system. A member of this board was recently injured, if I'm not mistaken, in this exact fashion.
----------
----------
/Greg
BlowsMeAway Productions
See my Customer Mics album on Facebook
BlueState - my band
Bluestate on iTunes
|
Kingley
2657 posts
May 19, 2013
7:19 AM
|
"A member of this board was recently injured, if I'm not mistaken, in this exact fashion. "
Yes very true Greg. Bigtone ended up with eight stitches in his index finger if my memory serves me correctly. I'd advise anyone who wants the 2501MP fitting to send it to you. $35 for that job is cheap and is far better than possibly messing up a good mic shell or losing a finger!
|
HawkeyeKane
1691 posts
May 20, 2013
8:59 AM
|
If you're gonna just replace the cable to sell it, may I suggest you grab one of these cables to cannibalize? I have one and I've never had a problem with it. For the money, the tweed wrap would add a nice look to any Green Bullet and squeak in some more value to your asking price for it.
Hosa Technology - Tweed 18' Guitar Cable - Tweed
----------
Hawkeye Kane
Last Edited by HawkeyeKane on May 20, 2013 9:49 AM
|
