Ask Harp Mic Expert Greg Heumann

Hi Greg,

First I am a beginner LOA2 and purchased a 520DX Shure bullet mic which I really like.

I will like it better as my abilities improve however a few days ago my Guitar buddy reaches into the back of his closet and pulss out a mic he has had for a long time but never used. In fact he has no idea if it is any good.

I think it is.

The label on it is:

Tha Astatic Corp.

Model No. 10-C

It has a grey body and stainless grill with a stainless steel extension likely for a stand of some sort. continue reading...

Greg I have a crystal mic with a 5meg volume pot that I would like to try installing the "Piazzo Mod" on.  This means puttting a capacitor in there to preserve treble as you roll the volume down.  Googling around I found a message from you where you said you didn't think this mod actually made any difference.  I'm sure you're right but I'd like to try it anyway.  I have several capacitors to try ranging in value from .100pf to .600pf.   continue reading...

Hello Mr. Heumann-

I bought a vintage microphone on ebay a few days ago mainly for display purpose. I want to change the original connector to a 1/4 inch 6.35mm jack so that I can use it with a guitar cable. Is this something easy to do? Could you briefly run through the steps? And my other question is how do you polish the mic shell without damaging the chrome.

Thank you and happy holidays!

Original connector:

http://s30.postimg.org/ho6afth4x/connector1.jpg

1/4 inch 6.35mm connector:

http://s14.postimg.org/xt1kxrhap/connector2.jpg

  continue reading...

In one of Fritz' (RIP) microphone tech videos, he said that he used his soldering iron at high heat (for the shortest possible heating time) when soldering microphone leads. He never specified the wattage (he used his on the "9" setting). What wattage is the safest to use, to avoid damaging the microphone?

Thanks,

Mark H.

I looked at previous topics and didn't see any info on the Peavey H5.  Let me know what others think and is it a good buy for the money which is around 100 bucks.

Thanks

Chuck

I've got mics (as you well know) for playing and recording with hand held mics. In trying to record acoustic playing, I'm finding I have to get so close to the mic for it to pick up the harp, that it's awkward, especially when playing from music on a stand. I've got an ElectroVoice RE10 that I use with the gain on the AudioBox up full. Any further than 4 -5" away and it is really faint on the Garage Band recordings. Any recommendations that would pick up the harp from10 - 12" away. I guess I'm looking for more sensitivoty in a mic.

Hi Greg

In all the discussion on the site about mics, i don't see anyting about the  shure sphere-o-dyne model pe53v //high impedance with volume control.  A friend has had one for years and it sure sounds good for him.  I think Carey Bell has used one.  Do you have any opinions about it?

Hi Greg

I have another mic made for me also about 15 years ago with an Astatic MC 127 element in it.  Is there anyplace on the bluesharmonica website that discusses the differences between it and the MC 151 and the Shure CR/CM's ?

Thanks

Hi Greg

I have a mic made for me about 15 years ago with a Shure CM White label  99G566  BA .  I've been trying to find out it's approximate date of manufacture.  I found this webpage  http://greenbulletmics.com/DATING_the_ELEMENTS.html which has a great deal of info but seemingly not anything about my number sequence.  Got any idea?

Hi Greg continue reading...