tmf714
2013 posts
Sep 15, 2013
10:52 AM
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What are your thoughts?
What is a fair price for a great harp mic-a mic that has been worked on and prepared by a pro harp player or a top of the line mic tech for gigging and is roadworthy as well?
Are todays prices too high? What is too much? Can a price be put on a mic that delivers great tone and extended durability and reliability?
Last Edited by tmf714 on Sep 15, 2013 10:54 AM
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rogonzab
381 posts
Sep 15, 2013
11:20 AM
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I agree whit you that the harp mics are more expensive now, but I think that they are not that expensive.
In the forum you can find a bullet shell whit a CM for 120 - 180. CR for 180 - 250.
Is a lot of money, but that mic should last for ever if you take care of it.
Stick mics are cheaper.
The mics from Greg are the cheapest IMHO. Right now I am working on a DIY wood mic, bullet style just like the ones from Greg, and make one of those mics is A LOT OF WORK! + you get a good CM inside.
In 5 years from now the prices are going to be crazy, that is for shure.
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Rick Davis
2357 posts
Sep 15, 2013
11:39 AM
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For the vintage-type bullet mics we don't really have a lot of choices. The new mass produced ones that sound decent such as the JT30 Roadhouse or the Shure Green Bullet 520DX start at about $100-$120, but you can occasionally find them on sale for less.
The other options are the used market and the custom shops. eBay is a crap shoot (see this) and much money can be wasted there. I speak from painful experience. (no, I didn't order the Tin Can Mic, but you know what I mean)
It is best to stick with known customizers or collectors, like Greg Heumann, Chuck Gurney, Dennis Gruenling and others.
Is it unreasonable for an authentic vintage bullet mic to cost three times as much as a new production unit of much lesser sonic value? I don't think so. Mics from skilled artisans like Greg are certainly worth the premium price.
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-Little Rick Davis
The Blues Harp Amps Blog
The Mile High Blues Society
Tip Jar
Last Edited by Rick Davis on Sep 15, 2013 11:48 AM
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harmonicanick
2026 posts
Sep 15, 2013
11:50 AM
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I go for Shure SM57 at around £80.00 + one of Greg's excellent volume controls, that is more money, but worth it
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Frank
2732 posts
Sep 15, 2013
12:25 PM
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Can a price be put on a mic that delivers great tone and extended durability and reliability?
A price has been put on the ones like you described above...And it's an expensive price at that - BUT, the good news is, if the mic is bought from a reputable seller - you should end up feeling like your purchase was worth most every penny :)
The extended durability and reliability issue may be a little tricky. And since Murphy's Law is always prepared to rain on a parade - make sure you understand the return policy etc, for if/when an unexpected issue arises...
Last Edited by Frank on Sep 15, 2013 12:34 PM
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fred_gomez
223 posts
Sep 15, 2013
12:33 PM
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you can get a telephone speaker for 5 bucks. or just use the house vocal mic and a stand. you cant buy talent you either have it or a big box of pedals and vintage rotting crystal mics.
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tmf714
2015 posts
Sep 15, 2013
12:46 PM
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Im still waiting for him to clean up that boatload of shit-
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fred_gomez
225 posts
Sep 15, 2013
12:47 PM
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i think youre wrong. little walter used what was there. the cool thing about harp is portability. if you need 6 trucks to move harp gear its kinda counter productive. i dont know maybe its a biker thing. if you cant lug it on your back its not worth having around.
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tmf714
2017 posts
Sep 15, 2013
12:50 PM
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fred is talentless or he would prove it by adding a vid or contributing to the tounge block vs lip purse video thread-a simple audio post would suffice-scared?
wounded? hurt? worried?
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Kingley
3135 posts
Sep 15, 2013
2:11 PM
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I'd say that the price of vintage mics is about right. Here's my view on it.
The price of vintage mics and elements has gone up over the years and will continue to do so. Simple supply and demand. From ebay and other sources I've had some great mics over the years and some crappy ones too. People like Dennis buy and sell them all the time. For them it's a business. They have to recoup any losses incurred and they also do work on the mics to bring them into good useable condition. They quite rightly charge for that. If people don't want to pay those prices then they can take their chances in places like ebay. Maybe they'll get lucky, maybe they won't.
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didjcripey
619 posts
Sep 15, 2013
2:39 PM
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Collected a stack of mics over recent years. For me they were a bargain. If I were to buy a Bluesblaster or DX Green Bullet in local music shops, it would cost nearly 350 bucks. The most I spent on classic mics, mostly with CM's was about 120 bucks. Especially given that they are collectors items and likely to increase in value, and objects of great beauty as well as function, I reckon they were cheap.
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Lucky Lester
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BronzeWailer
1139 posts
Sep 15, 2013
2:51 PM
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I second Lucky Lester's comments, although the only mic I have worth talking about is one of Greg's custom wood ones.
I expect my mic will be an object of fascination and wonder for my descendants 100 years from now. True craftsmanship shows...
BronzeWailer's YouTube
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SuperBee
1424 posts
Sep 15, 2013
2:53 PM
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Are they still asking $300 + for a DX Les? That's unreal. I looked at buying one back in 07 when I was first interested in playing amplified. From memory they wanted $320.
I baulk at around the $300 mark. I see $400 is not an uncommon asking price now...a bit too steep for me.
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JellyShakersFacebookPage
JellyShakersTipJar
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didjcripey
620 posts
Sep 15, 2013
3:09 PM
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Yep. Our local music store has the same stock from years ago. At that price, they just don't sell.
I told the guy what I could buy a Bluesblaster for on the net and he was shocked; I'm guessing its way more than what he paid wholesale.
And if you're talking 400 bucks these days, you could easily get a good CR in any shell you want off ebay for that.
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Lucky Lester
Last Edited by didjcripey on Sep 15, 2013 3:11 PM
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Rick Davis
2358 posts
Sep 15, 2013
4:57 PM
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fred gomez sez, "little walter used what was there." You sure about that, fred? Are you sure Little Walter didn't have a favorite mic he carried sometimes? Are you sure he didn't have a favorite rig he used whenever he could?
Little Walter played in an era when harp amps and mics were pretty much non-existent. He invented the sound. I'll bet that if he were alive today he'd have stipulations in his gig contracts specifying which amps he wants on stage. He'd be bringing his favorite mic and maybe even a pedal or two. Just like Kim Wilson.
Just because Little Walter played in a time before harp amps existed doesn't mean we should all borrow other peoples' gear at gigs. That is nonsense. There is nothing wrong with owning and using fine mics and amps. Like Charlie Musselwhite, Rick Estrin, Dennis Gruenling, and so many others.
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-Little Rick Davis
The Blues Harp Amps Blog
The Mile High Blues Society
Tip Jar
Last Edited by Rick Davis on Sep 15, 2013 5:04 PM
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fred_gomez
234 posts
Sep 15, 2013
6:35 PM
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no nothing wrong with it it at all i just travel light. some people are collectors. they buy mics to display and not play out. im sure walter had lots of cheap crystal mics that he dropped while drunk and replaced very cheaply. i think a marine band was 3 bucks in those days? what was a jt30? all i said was paying too much for a mic doesnt buy talent. look at samis video he got it.
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Barley Nectar
32 posts
Sep 15, 2013
7:12 PM
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In my world, I would not even consider paying 100 bucks for an old mic, let alone 2,3 or 400. I scroung up my own stuff and build them. Lots of places to find good elements and shells. Flee mkts, second hand stores, advertise in the Free Shopper for old mics. Yard sells. Ham fests are great. Old Radio guys. Find the guy that takes care of the police dept radios. A buddie of mine found a Shure 707a in a junk car. crystal was dead but I stuck in a CM and a V pot connected to a 1/4" jack an the thing is industructable. You gota get it sealed up air tight though. Try every POS mic you can find, some are fantastic for harp. You can always transplant that element into a bullet shell if that is your thing. This is not to say that the custom builders are not worth their salt, they are. It's just that with a little learning and effort, you can save a hell of a lot of money...BN
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jbone
1355 posts
Sep 15, 2013
8:19 PM
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One of my favorite mics is a Shure 585, I got for $32 on my last birthday. I have also had a mic customized and it's worth about $275 now. That's before a custom paint job too.
A friend painted a 707a shell for me and it has a nice cm element, the element was a gift from another friend. It's a mic I would never let go of. A gift can't have a dollar value placed on it.
I also have an Astatic 332 that was well under $100, and came with a spare basket case as well.
If you can find a capsule for a Shure 585 and want a dead one I'll send you one for shipping cost. I swapped a Shure 545 a few years back for a Ruskin custom mic with a nice crystal element.
So keep looking. You never know what you might find at a yard sale, flea market, or on fleabay or craig's, or at a pawn shop. When you say "old mic" you may be surprised, and I would not be afraid to dicker a little bit. If an item has sat a long time and a pawn shop guy hasn't made much that day he may cut the price pretty good.
I am a blue collar guy. Everything I have I worked for or lucked into. That custom mic, I sold several other mics on fleabay to finance it.
IF you can afford it there are some great customizers and repair guys out there. And just flat out great sellers. Greg Heumann comes immediately to mind as does Bigtone. These guys are partly responsible for my gear I use today.
http://www.reverbnation.com/jawboneandjolene
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000386839482
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wa7La7yYYeE
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Greg Heumann
2365 posts
Sep 15, 2013
10:19 PM
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There are a few rules. - You usually get what you pay for.
- If it sounds too good to be true it probably is.
- If you have a lot of experience you're in a better position to judge what's a bargain.
- if you don't have much experience you spend some of your $$ to benefit from others'.
- You can get decent mics cheap if you know what you're looking for.
- You can buy a lot of mics and get nothing but crap if you don't
- Cheap mass merchandisers prey on customer ignorance.
- It is hard to beat an Ultimate 57 for value per $$
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***************************************************
/Greg
BlowsMeAway Productions
See my Customer Mics album on Facebook
BlueState - my band
Bluestate on iTunes
Last Edited by Greg Heumann on Sep 15, 2013 10:21 PM
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5F6H
1667 posts
Sep 16, 2013
3:09 AM
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To be honest, when I saw what TMF714 was asking for the JT30 I choked...I said to myself, "when we were buying good crystals from guys like Tom Ellis they were ~$150-160". That was 15-20yrs ago...now allow for inflation, the price of many things has doubled in that time (my RI bassman was £600 new from the shop in '96 - same shop is listing them at £1249 today), crystals aren't made anymore...what would it cost TMF714 to replace that mic with a comparable mic? Considering these factors, his price doesn't seem unrealistic, with hindsight.
@Fred Gomez - Inflation again...today, old, off brand, 1950's amps are cheap because they are old, have little in the way of collectability value & are used. Bought new, back in the day, even Danelectros and Mascos were much more expensive, relatively, than things like Pro-tube Fenders/Peaveys/Laneys etc. are today. Chinese built amps? Phew don't even go there! ;-)
In 1956 Bill Black paid $355 for a 4x10 Bassman, this is before they were a venerated "vintage amp", the '56 isn't worth what a 59/60 is either...that $355.00 represents $3050.00 in today's terms. Around the same time you might have paid $250 for a 1x15" 30W Danelectro...or $2150.00 in today's money. A $30 mic, just like the other dozen in the store on that day, would be $260 today. Things were darned expensive back then.
Little Walter had preferences, he discussed them in the interview that was recorded & transcribed. Did he use what was around? Sure, but whoever paid for what he used, it wasn't "cheap" by our standards.
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www.myspace.com/markburness
http://www.facebook.com/markburness
Last Edited by 5F6H on Sep 16, 2013 4:51 AM
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didjcripey
621 posts
Sep 16, 2013
3:33 AM
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Good point 5f6h;
Its all relative
Sonny Terry speaks about buying his first harmonica for 25 cents;
'and I worked a whole week for that quarter'
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Lucky Lester
Last Edited by didjcripey on Sep 16, 2013 3:34 AM
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jbone
1358 posts
Sep 16, 2013
4:10 AM
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http://www.reverbnation.com/jawboneandjolene
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000386839482
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wa7La7yYYeE
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HarpNinja
3456 posts
Sep 16, 2013
6:25 AM
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Greg's post is great, thanks.
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Mantra Customized Harmonicas
My Website
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Lonesome Harpman
131 posts
Sep 16, 2013
6:47 AM
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Add Ron Sunshine to the list of knowlegable dealers. If you are a serious about playing amplified harp you can do yourself a favor by speaking/writing to Dennis,Ron,Greg and others mentioned above. I thought I had the holy grail Black CR Shure Bullet, now I am playing a crystal JT-30 151. You may end up going through many many mics in your lifetime. If you have the means, buy at least one good mic from a reputable dealer, use this as a benchmark for everything else. I wasted hundreds of dollars on ebay mics that sit on the shelf. Wanna buy one?
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HawkeyeKane
1992 posts
Sep 16, 2013
7:06 AM
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I would add Dave Wren (aka- Technobird) to the list of reputable and customer oriented harp mic techs/dealers. I've never had any problem with the work I've had done by him, and his prices are very reasonable.
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Hawkeye Kane
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1847
1085 posts
Sep 18, 2013
11:20 AM
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there is a vintage jt 30 on ebay
it does not work.. does not come with a cord or the stand
the fool is asking $170.00 or best offer
i offered $5.00 cause thats what it is worth lol
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there's a new sheriff in town
i get a lot of request when i play my harmonica
"but i play it anyway"
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Barley Nectar
36 posts
Sep 18, 2013
3:20 PM
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Well, shells are getting about 30 bucks, or more if clean. I like the Turner type with the die cast stand and the press to talk. These are my favorite, smaller than a GB shell, work better in my hands. Like this.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Turner-2-Transistorized-Microphone-/141059875994?pt=US_Radio_Comm_Microphones&hash=item20d7d2e49a#ht_45wt_917
I chop these off the stand then finish and paint. The flat on the back works great for a pot and bigger knob. A 1/4" jack goes in the bottom. I chop the fin also. Sometimes the elements are cool. A Shure CM/CR fits well. Look at ebay under "Harp Mic" and you will find compleated ones all the time...BN
Last Edited by Barley Nectar on Sep 18, 2013 3:22 PM
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Kingley
3144 posts
Sep 18, 2013
10:37 PM
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Reading this thread, makes my Blues Blaster/JT30 for sale on ebay UK complete with screw on lead, two adapters and a volume pot sound like a complete steal at £150. Yet still no bidders on it. Oh well, guess I'll be keeping it in my cupboard instead of someone using it.
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1847
1087 posts
Sep 18, 2013
10:46 PM
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my offer of $5.00 dollars was rejected
he said serious offers only.
he wants $170.00 for a broken mic
i want what ever he is smoking lol
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there's a new sheriff in town
i get a lot of request when i play my harmonica
"but i play it anyway"
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