---------- The only mic I have is the super crappy one that goes with my wifes karoke machine. Would Bottle O Blues be decent for a starter? The price sure is right, thanks in advance, Im Christmas shopping for myself Various Musical ramblings http://www.youtube.com/user/sjeter61?feature=mhum
I have a Superlux D112 bullet mic that I've been looking to sell. It's a great mic for the price and I A/B'd it to a new Shure 520DX at the time and thought it sounded much better IMO. Less tinny and harsh.
A link- http://www.amazon.com/Superlux-D112-Harmonica-Microphone-Dynamic/dp/B000SAGSRQ
Prob looking for $55 shipped or so. If you want contact me at scs07h@fsu.edu. The Bottle O Blues has gotten some good reviews though as well and would be around the same price. You can hear youtube vids of both/
Yeah, the BoB is a cool mic, and inexpensive. I have one I play occasionally. If you're the persistent Ebayer or shopper-type, you can peruse the gear of HAM radio enthusiasts or estate sales and sometimes find some really sweet deals on vintage, sought-after mics for the same money. If you find something of interest that you're not sure of, ask here. I got my go-to microphone(Electro-Voice EV631b)fro 20 bucks on Ebay from someone who was just cleaning up 'stuff'. Always inquire if the mic works or has been tested, though. ----------
Todd L. Greene, Codger-in-training
Last Edited by on Nov 09, 2010 10:26 AM
You also might want to tell us what your are considering for a beginner amp. Your choice of beginner mic might be different, depending on your choice of amp.
Thanks for re-posting that, took-I forgot all about that cool little mic you made...issac has done a thread or two about his homemade mics as well. Fairly simple, inexpensive solutions that can be done quickly and with pretty cool results-plus, you made it! ----------
@steve j.: Personally, I LOVE bass amps for harp. My primary gigging amp is an SWR Baby Baby Blue acoustic bass amp (but I'll also use a Fender Super Reverb or sometimes a Fender Princeton Reverb, depending on the gig). I'm no amp expert, but I think the reason bass amps sound good for harp is because they have larger coupling caps.
Anyway, FWIW, I think the single most important piece of gear for a harmonica player (after the harps themselves) is a good, high quality mic. If you are playing amplified with a cupped mic, the mic pretty much becomes part of your instrument and plays an important part in making the sound you get when you play.
Last Edited by on Nov 09, 2010 2:17 PM
Thanks for the help guys. I think Im gonna wait & get a Green Bullet. I am thinking from what I read you cant go wrong w/ it. I will go home & try my cheapy mic, cupping my hands properly. I didnt even realize I was needing to get a seal . til I read it while looking at reviews. I dont even know , what I dont know yet :) But Illl learn, thanks ---------- Various Musical ramblings http://www.youtube.com/user/sjeter61?feature=mhum
'Green Bullet'-do yourself a favor:don't get a 520DX. Think more about a good CM/CR element in a 520 or older shell, such as a 707a , or even a JT30 shell. Although a few like them the majority of folks here will tell you to avoid the harsh-sounding element in the DX. It'll cost you more, but see Greg's wooden Mics as well. Also, RHarley on this forum builds/refurbishes/customizes some fine looking mics, and his prices are reasonable. Look on the For Sale thread for examples of his work.
In other words, if you're going to shell out 50-60-70 bucks on a 'beginner' mic, save a little more and buy something once that you won't feel the need to upgrade. ----------
Todd L. Greene, Codger-in-training
Last Edited by on Nov 09, 2010 2:28 PM
Do yourself a bigger favor and don't get ANY bullet mic. Personally, I can't stand most bullet mics. But, objectively, they lack articulation and dynamic range and they are not versatile. Most of them produce one sound without variation and you are stuck with that sound on every note of every measure of every tune of every set all night long. Truly a one trick pony, IMHO.
Last Edited by on Nov 09, 2010 2:38 PM
The size/shape of the mic is a personal thing. I own a few bullets, and seldom play them, but that's really up to the individual. I like vocal mics(older ones for the most part)for their more full-spectrum sound, but I can still get 'em dirty.
Check some of this guy's stuff:
http://shop.ebay.com/technobird/m.html
Also, and this is from the forum's For Sale page, look at some of Rharley's work:
I bought a eggstatic mic on ebay for $20 and it's still selling for that price. It's a homemade mic made from what looks to be a small tea strainer. It may be OK for a starter mic if you have a good tube amp to play it through but eventually you will want a better mic with a volume control because of feedback.
Last Edited by on Nov 09, 2010 7:45 PM
@hvjy: No articulation? One sound? I think that's a little harsh. The video I posted in another thread shows what a bullet can do. I don't think there's a lack of articulation there. And although other mics come close, you cannot get THAT sound with any stick mic element I've ever heard (and I have heard a lot of them.)
I do TOTALLY agree that the 520DX isn't a wise choice. It is too big and too heavy, with decent but not special tone. There is no such thing as a cheap mic that sounds as good as some more expensive choices, but for tone-per-dollar, it is hard to beat an SM57. I wouldn't go cheaper than that. And if you want a bullet, the best value among currently in production mics is the Hohner Roadhouse. It is decent, but more importantly now you have a nice shell which lends itself to future upgrades - and Amazon has them for $49.99!!!
@ steve j,. Christmas shopping for yourself is A good thing,.Lol The 520Dx bullet is a wise choice but later you'll need to spend more money to upgrade it with a CM element for good tone .
Check out my Rharley Original Silver Bullet on the for sale page ,..I can hook ya up with a Low Z / High Z Transform Super Boost Mod CM element,.
Also check out My 515 Revolution stick Mic ,.check with Bluemoose,. a member here,. he owns an endorses My 515 Revolution's,.. Thanks Moose !!
ALL mics @ a price that won't break the bank<> E-me with any questions you may have ?
Heres Giles King Blowin through My Silver Bullet 3 hole Low Z / High Z Transform Super Boost Mod CM element,.
You'll may hear you need the 14 hole Shure CM element to get good tone ,..well ,.I'm here to say that myth is wrong!
