Lmbrjak
202 posts
Sep 30, 2013
7:43 PM
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I picked up this desk top cb mic at a yard sale for 5 bucks in the original box. Has a built in transistorized pre-amp powered by a 9 volt battery. Anybody out there familiar with these? Has a 4 prong Y-shaped plug. Anybody made a harp mic out of one?
Last Edited by Lmbrjak on Sep 30, 2013 8:36 PM
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didjcripey
638 posts
Oct 01, 2013
1:18 AM
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The shells are popular to use for harp mics; cut off the handle/stand and file down the fin a little bit. Very comfortable and stylish. Takes a CM very easily.
Can't comment on the elements; both of mine were DOA.
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Lucky Lester
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Lmbrjak
203 posts
Oct 01, 2013
8:25 AM
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thanks didjcripey,how did you test them to determine they were dead,plug them into a CB unit?
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didjcripey
639 posts
Oct 01, 2013
2:10 PM
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I test elements with a cable that I made up with alligator clips at one end which attaches to the element and then plugs into my amp.
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Lucky Lester
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blueswannabe
286 posts
Oct 02, 2013
6:58 AM
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I just made a harp mic out of a turner shell. I used a hacksaw to cut the fin down as close as possible to the shell. I also used a hacksaw to cut the shell from the stem. Then I sanded down the surfaces until level with the shell, drilled two holes, one in the end for a VC control and one in the bottom for the screw on connector. The stem section that I cut off from the shell left a tiny whole in the shell where the wires went through. I used JB weld on that. After sanding, I primed, painted and lacquered ( 2 coats prime, 5 coats paint, 2 lacquer). I used automotive spray paint, primer and lacquer. I ended up doing this twice becasue I did not give sufficient time to let the layers dry. The only problem I had was getting the screw on adpater from rotating in the shell when I connected it to my cable. I did not tighten the nut on the inside of the shell enough. I probably could have used some kind of adhesive to prevent the adapter from rotating. I need to do more work on that. If any one has any suggestions how to stop the connector from rotating, please let me know!!
With regards to the element. I used a CM element and purchased a new gasket from harpmicgaskets. The gasket creates a very snug fit. So much so that the top of the element may even touch or come very close the the inside of the grill cover. I will add a piece of silk.
It's not an easy job to do well. It does take some skill and in the end you may be paying more for your supplies and labor than purchasing a shell from an artisan. I had to buy, primer, spray pain, lacquer, jb weld, sandpaper, VC control, gasket, connector, etc. It adds up.
The turner shell is easy to cup and hold and is very comfortable, more than any other mic I own.
This project was challenging and I likley would do a better job if I had to do it again.
I have a couple NOS turner ceramic elements. They are decent elements but not as good as the CM elements. They have good volume. I find that they don't have the bottom end that the CM elements have and have a slighlty sharp or bittlely type of sound.
Last Edited by blueswannabe on Oct 02, 2013 7:53 AM
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Silvertone
136 posts
Oct 02, 2013
1:38 PM
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I bought a +3 many years ago thinking it would be a great harp mic . There wasnt a fin on it and it took me a long time just to figure how to get it apart theres a screw in the back of the head under a little chrome cover if I recall correctly. I never got it working and found my way to other mic projects. Good luck!
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blueswannabe
287 posts
Oct 02, 2013
4:09 PM
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My bad, the project I had was a turner +2.
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Lmbrjak
204 posts
Oct 02, 2013
8:22 PM
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I put a battery in the built-in pre-amp then rigged a cable to my honeytone amp that had 2 wires(didn't have clips) Touched wires to prongs on Y plug until I heard my voice coming through the amp. Extremely clear and crisp with no background noise at all. There is a locking feature so you don't have to press a talk button to keep it on and a volume control also. Seems like it would make an excellent acoustic mic. Haven't played harp through it yet but it is comfortable to cup. Thanks for your replies.
Last Edited by Lmbrjak on Oct 02, 2013 8:23 PM
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