Ask Harp Mic Expert Greg Heumann

Hi Greg

in terms of quality of sound/signal, is there any difference having a volume control built into the mic vs. using an inline volume control like the vintage Stagecraft or the new BLueX Lab volume control?

I have a new BlueXlab volume control and am thinking about changing at least one of my Astatic JT 30s from the volume control in it with its 1/4 in guitar jack to the necessary connection in order to use the BlueX lab volume control. Have any idea what your charge would be to make that change?  thanks

Greg, what size / gauge wires do you use for mic connections, and where do you get them?  I'm talking about the wires that go from the shell to the element.  I got some wires from Radio Shack but they're too thick to work with and solder easily.  (They sound fine though.)

Thanks,

Steve

I experience a strange behavior of my Astatic JT30-RH "Roadhouse" microphone's volume control. When the volume control knob is being turned, volume produced by the microphone changes in a non-linear manner. It seem that it has only 3 volume levels. If the knob's position is between 0 and 2, no sound is produced, if it's anywhere between 2 and 9, the sound is at 50% of available volume, and if it's between 9 and 10, the sound is at the loudest level. 

Is this normal?

Hi Greg:

from years of my sweaty hands, the surface paint is wearing off on my grey Astic shell.  I'm thinking about chroming or painting it.  Do you or do you know of anyone who does this and what the approximate cost might be?  Does chroming change the tone in any way(I'm assuming that to chrome you probably have to dip the entire shell in?  thanks

Hello, Greg! Could you please help me! I need to put shure CM into electrovoice 606. The gasket is not fit vell for this small mic. So is it ok to use some putty instead of gasket? Thanks!

I am new to vintage shure mics. I recently purchased a black label '53 CR element in a brown bullet shell. The tone is great and very strong but I noticed it makes a click sound when amped if I cup it tightly without the harp and breath in and out. Is this normal?

Thanks,

Scott

Hi, Greg. continue reading...

Hi Greg,

I recently acquired a Unisphere A 585SB.  it has a 2 pin socket, and the thread is rather damaged.  i cant thread anything onto it, even if i had a lead for it. 

i quite like these mics, and i'd like to have this one useful.  i'm wondering what would be the best approach to take with it. 

any advice or suggestions you have is appreciated.

Thanks,

Dave 

Hi Greg. I have a black CR with a 3 digit code.
I'm wondering if you have even seen one of these with the first digit "9".
Some info I've read says this wouldn't happen; the first digit would only ever be 1, 2 or 3.
Mine is pretty clearly 95 something...possibly 0
Not that it makes any difference in practical terms. I'm just curious
Thanks, Dave

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