snowman
307 posts
Jan 15, 2018
6:55 PM
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I have a few cm elements I bought over the years --Im finally taking the the time to convert couple mics
My chopped turner no problem I made one love it cm element 1/4'------
I have a jt 30 and a blues blaster ---i think I can convert the jt 30 but the blues blaster???
question on blues blaster should I try an unscrew the xlr?
Will I need a drill n tap? if so which ones---I want to convert to 1/4" as Im strictly wireless now---
open to any suggestions thanks
Ps I have a vast amount of tools for guitar repair and harp repair--I just want to do it right--
I know Greg heumann could do it -but playing with harps you've set up-and or powder coated ,or car painted yourself is fun
same with my guitars ther mostly copies with all new frets.bridge, nut,pickups, pots -tuners etc Theres somthing personal about it Thanks again
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John M G
185 posts
Jan 16, 2018
3:17 AM
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I've just converted both my Mexican 520 D with a VC and my Blues Blaster to suit the Switchcraft 2501 MP cable fitting and the Blues Blaster to a CM element and new 100K pot for the volume control.
Converting both mics wasn't straightforward.
To fit the 2501MP fitting to the 520 D, I had to turn the 3/8 x 32 UNEF thread down to 7 mm and re thread it 7 x .75
This meant I didn't have to bore the shell and was able to tap the existing hole for the cable and simply screw in the modified 2501MP fitting. The VC pot I'd had put in when I first got the mic in the late 80's. I need a slightly smaller knob on the pot. Just a case of turning up a new one with a nice knurl or a few thou of the plastic one.
The Blues Blaster is another thing altogether. Lots of messing about. I originally set it up with a new XLR 3 pin plug as the original one had cracked allowing the pins to be pushed back into the housing. I also got a new gasket of Jeffrey Spoor and a couple of Alpha 100K pots. The shaft thread on these is 7 x .75 which I had the taps and die for. I've done some pics and you can see the special lock nut I made and the tool I made to fasten it.
I was immediately aware the XLR connection was still not the best. The chrome housing is simply glued in. Why they did that when the shells have the thread already tapped in for the speaker stand doesn't make sense. I had the 5/8 x 26 tap to clean out all the junk but didn't really need to.
The chrome sleeve it got out of the shell by holding the chrome part in the lathe chuck and rocking the shell back and forth and it finally gave way.
You have to remove the Hohner Label to get access to the screw head in the internal XLR plastic body. Note it may be a left or a RH thread. The screw screws out into the little location hole.
I wanted the cable connection at the rear of the shell so I had to use the existing volume pot hole for the 2501MP but the hole is 3/8" and the thread on the fitting is 3/8 so using my tilting vice set up the shell and opened up the old volume pot hole to 15/32" then turned up a brass shouldered bush and drilled and tapped that through with the 3/8 x 32 UNEF thread. The internal boss for both the XLR boss and the volume pots are at odd angles to the base so I had to use a dremel to get a square seat for the new boss to sit on inside the shell. I soldered both the ground and center terminals with flying leads and installed them in the shell. I opened up hole for the old XLR wires out to 7.1 mm to take the new Alpha pot and used the nut I'd previously made. It took me a day to do both mics. I'll get around to making them a bit prettier with new paint jobs later on. Here are some pictures.
I hope this helps. Cheers John
Last Edited by John M G on Jan 16, 2018 3:22 AM
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indigo
441 posts
Jan 16, 2018
9:57 PM
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Nice work John
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snowman
308 posts
Jan 17, 2018
7:46 AM
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Wow thanks so much for taking the time ---had to do a quick read ---look at more tonight ---U took the time thanks so much John-
Graet job by the way ----When I investigate the tools used? where u got tap etc? I may have more questions--- or even send u money paypal ---if u get what I need
Thanks again
Thanks again
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dougharps
1674 posts
Jan 17, 2018
8:26 AM
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adding-shure-cm-to-blues-blaster-and-roadhouse-microphones
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Doug S.
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John M G
186 posts
Jan 17, 2018
4:06 PM
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The link that Doug shows was very useful. I had the pictures as I'd only just finished mine.
On Doug's link they still use the XLR fitting. I'd changed the internals of mine to a much better quality 3 pin plug. But even then it was still noisy which is why I went to the Switchcraft connectors.
A lot of mucking about on both the 520D and more so on the Blues Blaster but I'm very happy with the results.
All my stick mics are XLR and now all my Bullets are fitted with the 2501MP connectors.
I did find a 2501 to XLR adapter and ordered one from the US. That was back in November so I think that's a lost cause!
Cheers John
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MP
3538 posts
Jan 17, 2018
4:31 PM
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Great work John G. MBH member MojoKane uses a vice grip to remove the Blues Blaster female XLR. Then he removes the potentiometer and places a screw-on Switchcraft connector there. He also changes the value depending on the element, and drills a hole to the rear of the Switchcraft for the pot.
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Reasonably priced Reed Replacement and tech support on Hand Made Series Hohner Diatonic Harmonicas.
'Making the world a better place, one harmonica at a time.
Click MP for more info. Aloha Mark
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