TOOLS OF THE TRADE

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. Another common bit of mayhem is caused when pliers or channel-locs are used on the threads of the common Switchcraft 2501 / Amphenol MC1 5/8" thread-on output connector. They're made of soft brass, and one good squeeze will strip the threads right off. SOLUTION: Use the thread-on collar from a corresponding female (cable end) connector as a buffer between the tool and the target.