(FX'd mic's) Submitted for yer consideration

[vvv]

, ... the number of broken mic's you own reflects:

a. the number of mic's you have, divided by,

b. the skill/interest/$ you have to fix 'em.

I have three, a destroyed (by me) EV Slimaire, and a defective (but usable) EV 664, and a Shiny Box 43L currently using aluminum foil (like, for the BBQ foil).

I note that this analysis might be likewise used for mic cables, guitars, pedals, synths, amps, outboard ...

[digitaldrummer]

I was going to say I have two... but then I realized I have 4. I have an old Shure 57 that was given to me. it's dead. no problem, I'll use the remains as a hammer... I have an old EV 647 that I destroyed 20+ years ago and just hung onto the case thinking I may do something with it some day...

Then I have a couple more that were given to me - an MXL 992 and an MXL V69. I spent a couple minutes on each but never figured out the problem so they just sit in a box too...

the good news is only the old EV cost me any $$ and even then it was not much back then.

Mike

[drumsound]

I have an SM57 that was bashed by a drummer years ago when it was on loan. I don't care to have it fixed, and used the repair money from the band to buy something useful instead, drum heads.

I also have a PL20 that I need to send in to the dude who rehabs them. I liked that mic when it worked.

[vvv]

That reminds me, I do have a broke, fake, SM57 ...

But fix that PL20, same azza RE20, yeah?

[Gregg Juke]

Joe Meek JM37... I really liked that microphone. Then it broke, and I put it in the case... I've got just a couple more "garage sale" items on the shelf that never got a thorough once-over.

GJ

[ulriggribbons]

... Shiny Box 43L currently using aluminum foil (like, for the BBQ foil).

Why would you do that, when you could send it in and have it made better than new?


I have an Altec birdcage mic that is completely in pieces, and looked like it had been sitting on the bottom of the ocean when I received it. It's a maybe someday project.

I also have a broken D12, that is in excellent condition other than the diaphragm( I bought it broken). No replacement parts available. Maybe someday I will make a new diaphragm for it...

Jon

[vvv]

That would be both the "$" and skills answer.

I have tried to re-ribbon it myself a cuppla times, but unsuccessfully.

When I get 'round to it, I shall try again.

It was a Ebay buy what sounded off when I rec'd it; when I opened it up, chrome was peeling off the magnet and rubbing the ribbon. When I tried to remove the chrome, I damaged the ribbon. I gave the seller a bad review - he hadda know - but couldn't return because of my aborted repair attempt.

The aluminum foil sounds shite, of course. Makes a kinda OK room mic for amps ...

[drumsound]

That reminds me, I do have a broke, fake, SM57 ...

But fix that PL20, same azza RE20, yeah?

Yep, PL 20 and RE30 are the same mic with different paint.

[ulriggribbons]

It was a Ebay buy what sounded off when I rec'd it; when I opened it up, chrome was peeling off the magnet and rubbing the ribbon. When I tried to remove the chrome, I damaged the ribbon. I gave the seller a bad review - he hadda know - but couldn't return because of my aborted repair attempt.

That's when you get in touch, send it in, and I put new magnets in it. That early run of mics had some bum magnets, I've got spares here.

Putting ribbons in mics yourself is kinda like self dentistry (well, maybe not that bad). Without the right tools and experience, it's 100% harder ( I remember doing this back in the day). You may get something that passes audio, but isn't necessarily "right" =)

Can you tell that it pains me to know one of my mics is out there not working right?

Jon

[vvv]

I understand. And I did contact you about this in the past, and your quoted price was too high for me in that I already had so much invested in the mic. As I recall, I did mention the magnet problem ...

FWIW, once the ribbon was destroyed (it actually had a little tear in it from the shedding chrome that tore worse as I tried to remove that), I was able to just peel the loose chrome off the magnet (s?).

Since then I've tried the re-ribbon 4x, and not gotten it right (other than with foil )- but someday I will.

I note that I have successfully re-tensioned a few cheaper ribbons, what I tend to like as room mic's for drums and guitar, and the occasional amp and rare lead vocal.

[ulriggribbons]

I offlined the support side to PM, so as not to clutter the thread.

I tend not to try retensioning old ribbons, as the sagging ones are usually from overseas where it's not worth it (the tolerances are so poor that there's no point, a properly made and tensioned ribbon is the right solution), or for quality ribbons, the sagging is caused by a large excursion of air, which often causes more of a problem then just the sag ( you'll often see a slight twist in the ribbon, also undesirable).

Anywho, happy to help if I can.

Jon

[vvv]

[accordion squeezist]

Jon, it pains me as well.
I have a Shinybox 43 and it ain't broke.
My clients prefer it on vocal and acoustic guitar. They ask for it.
Maybe because it's ruler flat out to 15K (with customary dip @6-8K)
No, maybe it's because the off-axis response is to die for.
It's not a novelty color mic. It's the go-to mic.

[frans_13]

This reminds me to use my Shinybox 46U more for room duties...so far I only used it for close miking - and my assistant would like to use it for everything, haha!

[dfuruta]

i have a broken audix i5 (dropped by one too many singers, i suppose), a cascade victor that i mangled before i knew better, and an old gefell um70 that i haven't gotten around to sending home to the mothership for service (suspect i'm not going to enjoy the price on that one).