Mic Building Materials
Greg,
I'm new to the harp world, and I want to put together a couple mics just to mess around with playing amplified. I have a Astatic 200 shell, and I want to pull out the mesh screen/dust guard and replace it with a nicer looking heavier gauge mesh. I've done some searching, and I haven't been able to find a sheet of this woven metal mesh material for sale anywhere. Do you have any suggestions on where I can purchase something like this? Also, what is the proper term for this material? Thanks in advance for your help!
--Mike
Hi - sorry for the delayed reply. There are several sources for similar materials. It goes by many names. "Hardware cloth" usually has the joints at right angles and comes in all weights and metals. You can get metal screen at the hardware store that is used for screen door repair. The stuff I use is available at craft stores and has a more diamond shaped appearance. It is sold as a modeling base for shapes that will later be covered with plaster, paper mache or other material. Sorry, I can' t remember the name right now but a craft store should have it.
/Greg
Thanks for the tip, I'll be checking out the local craft shops. Also, I'm working on chopping a Shure Commando, and I'm looking for the smallest volume pot I can find to fit in the handle. If it's not one of your trade secrets, would you mind sharing the model pot you use? Thanks again for the help!
Check out http://blowsmeaway.com/images/micmods/keefe%20commando.JPG - sorry - can't post images here. That's how I put a VC on a Commando. I don't think you'll be able to put one inside the top green plastic part easily. Hard to tighten a pot against round plastic surfaces - danger of cracking it.
I use 9mm alpha pots for this.
Wow, that's a nice mod! I have the Commando 430 style handle that I was planning on shortening and adding the pot where the switch was. A washer buried in JB weld or Bondo at the back for mounting the screw on connector. Thanks for the lead on the 9mm Alpha pot, that's very helpful. I'll let you know how it turns out. Thanks!
Well, I finally received my Alpha pots and attempted to finish the Commando. The 9mm Alpha is definitely the perfect size to fit in the handle. The only problem is that the posts on the pot are so fragile that I ruined one of them trying to situate the wires inside the handle. I realize now that part of my problem is that I'm using too thick of a wire (20 gauge). What is the smallest gauge wire you would recommend? Also, do you know of a good supplier of Alpha pots in the US that doesn't gouge you on shipping when you only order a few pieces at a time? Thanks for all your help!
Welcome to my world. I use 24 ga wire for most of my work. 22-26 are all fine. There's so little current involved there is no loss using fairly fine wire. I buy those pots by the 100's. But anyone who takes your order, whether it is for 1 or 10,000 - still has to have an inventory in the first place, get the data entered, get the product off the shelf, box it, make a shipping label for it, etc. I'm afraid there's no free lunch.
Greg,
You were probably at SPAH when I posted this, so I thought I'd give it a bump. Just putting together a mic and need a little knowledge. Thanks!
--Mike