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Dirty-South Blues Harp forum: wail on! > Glorified on/off switch
Glorified on/off switch
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vonsommerfeldt
1 post
Jan 28, 2015
8:42 PM
Hey guys,

Sorry if this a newbie question. I have a BB shell that Greg has already put a 1/4" on, then I switched out the element for a CM 99a86. I also switched out the pot for a 250k but it still just works as an on/off switch. No sound, turn, turn, turn, turn, BLARING. No dynamics in volume whatsoever.

Any idea what could be causing this?

Thanks!
indigo
48 posts
Jan 28, 2015
9:35 PM
Clarification needed here: you sent a BB(bluesblaster?)
shell to Greg to have him add a quarterinch fitting.
Leaving the original crap element in place?
Then you have fitted a CM element and a V/C yourself?
If Greg did the work (which i seriously doubt) get back to him..if you did it let us know the details of how you did it.
vonsommerfeldt
2 posts
Jan 28, 2015
9:46 PM
Sorry if there was a miscommunication.

Greg took my stock Blues Blaster, took out the XLR connector and replaced it with a switchcraft 1/4". That's it.

When I got it back, I took out the crap stock element, and replaced it with a CM 99a86. When I tested the mic it sounded great but the volume knob had no range to it.

So I switched out the original volume pot for a 250k pot. When I tested it there was no difference. It still wasn't until the volume knob was turned to almost 100% that you would hear any sound, and then it was BLARING.
indigo
50 posts
Jan 28, 2015
10:00 PM
Ok, did you use an audio taper or linear taper pot.?
Audio gives you a gradual rise and fall ,linear tends to be more of an on/off effect.
vonsommerfeldt
3 posts
Jan 28, 2015
10:24 PM
I dont know. I walked into a guitar repair shop and just asked for a 250k pot.
Greg Heumann
2942 posts
Jan 29, 2015
8:42 PM
FYI - we;ve been conversing off-line about this. He's been testing through a PA. ALL kinds of possibilities, like the PA has a noise gate turned on, or simply has a shitload of gain. The mic is properly wired - and mics don't do this. I'm confident it is something else.

For technical accuracy - I installed a screw-on connector and the customer is using a Switchcraft 332 adapter to provide the 1/4" jack
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***************************************************
/Greg

BlowsMeAway Productions
See my Customer Mics album on Facebook
Bluestate on iTunes
mrdon46
91 posts
Feb 03, 2015
7:56 PM
FWIW--I almost always use the volume controls on my mics only as on-off switches anyway, most impact the tone more than I like.
Harpaholic
595 posts
Feb 03, 2015
8:35 PM
I totally disagree about VC's robbing tone.
The effect that a VC has on the signal/tone is really insignificant IMO.
Assuming the rating of the potentiometer is proper for the element.
I use 100K for CR/CM"s and dynamics. 1 meg for crystals only because the really old Data sheets from Astatic and Shure recommend it as a minimum and they have served me well.
Audio taper only, I prefer the sweep of an AT over Linear.
Not saying anything is wrong with linear.


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