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Forums :: Ask Harp Mic Expert Greg Heumann

Ruskin Mic - How to access element?

3 replies [Last post]
Mon, 09/23/2019 - 18:24
Lucky_TommyYoung
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Joined: 09/08/2019

Just found a Ruskin mic I picked up in 1999 - it's dead and I have no idea how to open it up to fix. Any ideas? I believe it's a bicyclle light housing - can't tell if it pressure-fit or not and don't want to break it.

 https://drive.google.com/file/d/1nRzdzTdC-Z5O9sx2JCfLReCjm9yxgJan/view?usp=sharing

Thanks!

 

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Mon, 09/23/2019 - 19:45
#1
Greg Heumann
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Joined: 04/29/2010
Life's a Gamble

Hi, Tom

I haven't seen a Ruskin mic in years - and that was before I servicing mics. I do not know for sure. However it certainly looks like that grill is pressed on and will probably slide off - but may take a bit of force.

This is the challenge for people like me - how to service an unknown mic? I have turned work down, or accepted it only on the condition that the customer knows I may scratch or even ruin a mic we can't figure out how to open - but at the end of the process, I'll know how to open it! I have a lot of tools and techniques at my disposal as a result of my work that gives me better odds than the average bear - but in the end - sometimes you have to destroy a mic to learn. 

If you're confident the element is dead (and it likely is) then using some heat would be one escalation strategy. If the grill was put on with loctite or some other adhesive you may need to heat it as high 400 degrees to soften that adhesive. 

Sorry I can't give you a definite answer!

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Mon, 09/23/2019 - 20:39
#2
Lucky_TommyYoung
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Joined: 09/08/2019
Thanks Greg!

I appreciate the tips. I have always viewed my tools as tools and have no qualms about sacrificing this shell in the name of science. I'll let you know what I find.

On another note - I've recently gotten back into playing after a 12 year hiatus (finally had something to say) and brought out my little collection of a dozen or so vintage mics to see what still worked and what I could salvage. I think am going to throw a PE53 cartridge into one of my bullet shells and biggest shock of the night was opening up a sweet sounding JT-30 and finding I had thrown an old, chipas (cheap a**) element I busted out of a $5 plastic Radio Shack mic!

Any thoughts on what size vol pot I should put on the PE53?

Thanks and Cheers!

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Mon, 09/23/2019 - 23:24
#3
Greg Heumann
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Joined: 04/29/2010
High impedance dynamic

High impedance dynamic elements like 250K the best. 100K is also acceptable for most of them. 

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