gmacleod15
262 posts
Jan 31, 2016
6:24 AM
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Like many of us that use modded vintage mics, I use a Switchcraft 332A adapter to connect a standard instrument cable to the microphone. Lately I am getting some intermittent (grounding?) noise which I think the adapter is the cause. I have ruled out bad cable as I have swapped out several and the hum persists.
Does the adapter require any maintenance such as cleaning contacts. Do they wear out?
Also does anyone have a Canadian source to buy one. Lots of US suppliers but a $5 part quickly becomes expensive with $ exchange, shipping, duties etc.
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MBH member since 2009-03-24
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Harpaholic
811 posts
Jan 31, 2016
9:09 AM
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As far as I know U.S is only source, unless you find a Canadian seller on Ebay.
They do wear out just like the old Switch craft cables. Usually the center lead breaks off at the solder.
The problem could also be the 2501 male connector in the mic. If it's loose the slighest, it will not ground properly.
From my experience, most people don't install them properly.
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1847
3151 posts
Jan 31, 2016
10:38 AM
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it may be possible to re-flow the solder.
i would bet it can easily be repaired.
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if you appreciate what you have...
it becomes more.
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Harpaholic
814 posts
Jan 31, 2016
2:39 PM
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1847, you are correct, they can be repaired, I have done a few. They unscrew towards the center to expose the center lead.
It's tricky to disassemble and repair without damaging. Once you remove old wire and clear out the old solder from center post on 5/8 side, install new wire, solder to 1/4" side, screw it back together and then solder the center post.
Last Edited by Harpaholic on Jan 31, 2016 9:21 PM
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Greg Heumann
3164 posts
Jan 31, 2016
10:33 PM
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They wear out. The center conductor is rarely the problem. They fail internally as the 1/4" retention/contact spring weakens. Why not just buy another? They're cheap!
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/Greg
BlowsMeAway Productions
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Harpaholic
821 posts
Jan 31, 2016
11:00 PM
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Greg is correct, they don't break on the 5/8" female side, they break on the 1/4" female side.
Of the three I repaired two where rare vintage Switchcraft and looked different from the current ones. Two had loose connections caused by cold solder joints on the 1\4" side and one was the spring metal contact which can easily be cleaned with emery cloth and tension adjusted just like an input jack on an amp.
I repaired my own because I could, not because of price. I do recommend you buy a new one, don't bother trying to fix. On second thought, buy a cable from Greg and stop using one.
I did several years ago a when I bought a couple cables from Frank Blues in Italy.
Last Edited by Harpaholic on Jan 31, 2016 11:16 PM
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gmacleod15
263 posts
Feb 01, 2016
5:09 AM
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Thanks for the tips. As Harpaholic suggested I made certain that the 2501 connector was tight and also tried some contact cleaner and it seems to have helped in the short term.
I am going to buy a new one and it’s not that I can’t afford one. It just bothers me that shipping, handling and exchange rate will make a $5 item into $30 or more.
On a side note when the problem is at its worst it seems to act like a radio as I can hear a radio or TV broadcast of some sort through my amp (1950s Fender Princeton clone).
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MBH member since 2009-03-24
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Harpaholic
822 posts
Feb 01, 2016
8:41 AM
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Radio interference is fairly common and it's usually a ground or shielding issue, but can be bad solder joints too.
It may be an issue with the amp or someting in the chain. I had an amp that
did the same thing, once I had it serviced, problem solved.
If it picks up radio stations without a mic or cable plugged in, then the amp is the problem. If not the cable or mic is the cause.
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