Ask Harp Mic Expert Greg Heumann

Fritz, I have a Turner that Dennis O put together for me to be used with my Harp King - love the mic. Lately I will ocassionally lose my audio. I may lose it for just a moment, or it might stay that way until I reconnect my cord a few times. The fit is tight on the input and i changed cords and tried different amps to eliminate those as causes. i may be able to play for long periods without an issue , or it may happen several times within an hour. The mic is with crystal element, although it has been several years since I bought it and I don't remember the exact crystal Dennis used. continue reading...

In response to a series of recent questions dealing with choosing replacement mic elements, this MIC MORSEL is an effort toward clarifying the SONIC difference between CRYSTAL and CERAMIC microphone elements -specifically the better known ASTATIC MC-151 crystal and the ASTATIC MC-127 ceramic. They look the same, they're constructed with the same outer shell materials. The big difference is in the piezoelectric materials inside that actually turns sound pressure into voltage -so your amp can then turn that signal back into sound. continue reading...

Fritz,

I bought a wood bullet mic from you years and years ago. it's great and I couldn't ask for anything more.

How do I tell if it's a crystal element or the other kind? I mean safely-- that is, without setting it on fire, driving over it or using chemicals?

Thanks

Tonight I'll be taking part in a local Harmonica Summit, exhibiting mics and answering questions having to do with their care, repair, and general upkeep. It's at events like these that I learn & see first hand what's been done to LORD MICROPHONE by the well-intentioned but uninformed. I'm surprised by the number of mics that wind-up in the jaws of a vise and permanently distorted -if not destroyed. Remember that the majority of these creatures are composed of a cast Zinc alloy and won't stand-up to such pressures. continue reading...

Again, seeing the handiwork of the itinerant Mic Neophyte has prompted another MIC MORSEL: continue reading...

Hi Fritz,

I looked back through all of your previous posts that I could see and didn't see this topic covered, which probably means it's there and I missed it......

Proper replacement grill screws for Shure Bullets: Are these commonly available and if so can you suggest a supplier? What are the specs on these little beasties anyway - TPI, Pitch, length, width - if you happen to know.

Thanks in advance,

Loren

This week's MIC MORSEL comes as a result of viewing the miss-wired innards of a number of recent patients down in the MICROPHONE DUNGEON. continue reading...

This week's MIC MORSEL will serve as an extension of my entry regarding the securing of your stage case itself -with value added benefits ( but no French Fries). continue reading...

Questions come into THE MIC DUNGEON on a regular basis regarding the relative sizes of microphones commonly associated with amplified harp. I've collected the measurements for a number of typical "bullet" mics and present their diameters-at-grill-in-millimeters here for your reference. continue reading...

There was a time when it seemed the blue & yellow cans of WD-40 were as common on the landscape as phone booths were. continue reading...