Just Curious...
Tue, 06/15/2010 - 11:46
Hi Fritz!
I'm curious about an older mic I found for pretty cheap. It's a bit heavy and bulky, but I'm getting used to it- it's the only one I have.
It's an Astatic 10-DA, with an element that reads "MC563". I changed the odd 3 pin connector out and it seems to work well.
My question is- approx. when was this manufactured (I suspect the 60's??), and what type of element is this? Would this be the orgininal element?
thanks-
Hello CD Edmond,
The age and era would be tough to discern accurately. In general, the ASTATICS produced in Youngstown, Ohio are the earliest (1933-1944). Of the later mics marked Conneaut, Ohio the earlier production bore stamped aluminum I.D. badges while later mics had foil labels or decals. There are always exceptions: NO labels, Youngstown product with decals...
As I recall, the DN series was the larger/earlier dynamic ASTATIC production and the 10D was the smaller/later chrome-plated "barrel" loaded with a dynamic element. The MC-563 and MC-564 elements were piezo units, so I would guess your mic's been retrofitted with the raunchier element.