Mic Shells, etc.

[Tom Ellis III <74053.3164@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Not that this subject hasn't been done to death, but I agree with both Tim and
Mike Curtis on shell weight and thickness.  We have taken the same element, new
or old, doesn't matter, and stuck it in older then newer JT-30 shells and there
is a definite difference in tonal quality.  Then stick it into a Turner, Calrad,
EV, etc., and listen to how all of them sound completely different, even though
you've made no change in the element.  After fooling around with over 300 mics
over the past few years, I must admit I am gratified by the more technical
validations of the opinions of myself and Tim Norris.  Bill Clarke is notorious
for taking an element he really likes and trying it out in a number of different
shells, even varying JT-30s from different eras.  So when you see him holding a
JT-30, chances are extremely good that it doesn't have an Astatic crystal
element in it.  
As to older elements, they were manufactured to higher quality standards.  But
the new ones are getting very close, and in the last six months we have found
the quality worth endorsing.  It is very difficult to find older elements that
are in great shape and sound good--they are just too affected by heat and
dryness.  Please remember also that crystal elements are about as low tech as
you can get and that's one of the reasons there aren't many around.  They WERE
NOT meant to last and were considered highly disposable and very cheap.  So if
you find an old one that sounds good treasure it!! Thanks again to Mike and Tim.
TE3